Alan Moore: “This is an imaginary story. Aren’t they all?”
Whatever Happened to The Man of Tomorrow?
It’s funny how far the superhero movie has come. For years they were seen as kids’ movies or ads for toys. Now they’ve launched entire cinematic universes. People who didn’t know Deadpool from Spider-Man are now fans of Luke Cage, Green Arrow, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy.
The superhero movie genre has even made divisive storylines like Civil War popular. So what risky stories should the studios try next? Here are our picks for superhero movie longshots.
To qualify, a story can’t have been announced as a movie project or made into a movie.
Table of contents
#7: The Ballad of Beta Ray Bill
Odin: “Whosoever holds this hammer, if he be worthy, shall posses the power of Thor”
Thor
Beta Ray Bill is the last hope of an alien race. When his homeworld was decimated by the Norse demon Surtur, Bill was transformed into a cyborg to battle Surtur’s army, acting as a diversion so his people could escape. He later searched for the demon’s homeworld and instead encountered Thor.
The two fought until Thor reverted back to his human form, which Bill easily defeated. Bill realized Thor’s hammer might be strong enough to defeat Surtur and grabbed it. Mjolnir decided Bill was worthy and gave him Thor’s godly power. Odin somehow mistook the equine Bill for Thor and summoned him to Asgard, leaving Thor to try and reclaim his hammer and figure out what the hell was going on.
Why This Story?: Age of Ultron had a running gag about who could wield Mjolnir. While it was a joke, the implications of a mortal being worthy of godhood are interesting. How would the gods respond to something like that? Please have 400 words for Monday. Or leave a comment.
#6 Superhero Movie Longshot: The War of Light
Atrocitus: [conveying a prophecy] “There will be a War of Light that will burn the surface of Oa black. It will leave scores of Lanterns dead. Even the greatest of them will fall. The Green Light will be extinguished, and there will be left an new Corps. a Corps of fear. Sinestro’s Corps.“
Green Lantern: Emerald Knights
While many people know about the Green Lantern Corps despite the horrible Ryan Reynolds movie, few know that there are as many factions as there are Skittles colors. Each group is powered by a different emotion and known by a different color. Shortly before the book series The Blackest Night, The Green Lanterns learned of a prophecy which told of a coming war that would destroy them.
The Red Lanterns gain their power from rage. Agent Orange is fueled by avarice. The Sinestro (yellow) Corps feed off fear. The Green Lanterns have willpower. The Blue Lanterns are empowered by hope. The Indigo Tribe use compassion. And finally, the Star Sapphires are powered by love.
Why This Story?: The Lantern Corps have dominated the Green Lantern stories for years. This story would work best as the second part of a trilogy, setting up The Blackest Night as the finale.
#5: Secret Wars
The Beyonder: “I am from beyond! Slay your enemies and all you desire shall be yours! Nothing you dream of is impossible for me to accomplish!”
Secret Wars #1
Mattel released a new line of Marvel action figures in 1984. Marvel released a crossover book of their biggest heroes and villains to promote the toys.
A cosmic being known as The Beyonder has abducted Marvel’s greatest heroes and villains, bringing them to a planet called Battleworld. He does not understand the concept of desire, why heroes desire peoples’ safety and happiness while villains want power and wealth. He tells them to fight to the death and promises the winners their greatest wish.
Why This Story?: Although it was created to sell toys, this is Marvel’s first major crossover. Imagine all the MCU heroes at war with all its villains. This superhero movie would be expensive, but damn cool.
#4 Superhero Movie Longshot: Identity Crisis
Elongated Man: “Anyone who puts on a costume paints a bulls-eye on his family’s chest.”
Identity Crisis
Sue Dibny, the wife of a hero called Elongated Man, is murdered. But while most of the Justice League is trying to solve the case, a group of heroes pursues a criminal called Doctor Light instead. Why are they so hellbent on finding such an ineffectual villain?
We learn that Doctor Light discovered Elongated Man’s secret identity years ago. He infiltrated the League’s headquarters and raped Sue. He then threatened to return for her and reveal Elongated Man’s identity.
The team decided he was too dangerous and erased his memories, all but lobotomizing him. These characters mind-wiped villains who discovered a secret identity, morphing themselves from heroes to villains.
Why This Story?: Batman v. Superman and Captain America: Civil War both explored the concept of collateral damage in superhero universes. What they haven’t truly explored is the threat to their loved ones and the morality of protecting them at any cost.
#3: The Sentry
Hulk: “You don’t want this fight, Sentry.”
World War Hulk
Sentry: “Yes. God help me, I do. Because you’re the only one I can hit… [Sentry punches Hulk, knocking him several blocks away] like THIS.”
Matt Damon as amnesiac Jason Bourne has nothing on The Sentry. Robert Reynolds wakes up one morning, remembering that he was a superhero called The Sentry. He doesn’t know much more and neither do the superheroes he seeks out for help.
It’s eventually revealed that he will be fighting an enemy called The Void. He also learns that the Void is a manifestation of his dark side. The Void had threatened to destroy Earth, but Sentry managed to stop him by erasing all knowledge of himself from everyone’s memories. Try that, Bourne.
Why This Story?: A hero searching for knowledge about his past is a cliche, but The Sentry kicks up the plot twist a notch. Throw in godlike power and multiple mental health challanges issues and you have one heck of a psychological thriller rolled into your superhero movie.
#2 Superhero Movie Longshot: The Clone Saga
“I think I’m a clone now
I Think I’m a Clone Now” by Weird Al Yankovic
There’s always two of me
just a-hangin’ around”
Whoa! Torches and pitchforks down, folks!
In the 70s, a villain called the Jackal cloned Spider-Man. Spider-Man defeated and seemingly killed the clone. Fast forward to the 90s and the clone returns, calling himself Ben Reilly and fighting crime as the Scarlet Spider. The Jackal manipulated their minds, making Peter and Ben wonder which one is the clone and which is the original.
Marvel was in bankruptcy protection then and milked the Clone Saga for more than it was worth. Spider-Man comics became the most complicated soap opera of the next two years.
When the dust settled, Ben died and was proven to be the clone, several characters returned to life in convoluted ways, and the word “clone” became persona non grata in Spider-Man comics.
Why This Story?: The idea of two Spider-Men is good and could make for a great superhero movie if it doesn’t go on too long.
#1 Superhero Movie Longshot: DC vs Marvel Comics
Superman: “I’d prefer to consider you a friend, Hulk. But with everything that’s at stake, I don’t think I can. For me to save my world, my universe, and most of all, the woman I love, I have to PUT YOU DOWN!”
DC vs Marvel Comics #3
In 1996, Marvel and DC thrilled readers with a crossover series. Strange portals started transporting things between universes. The resulting chaos included J. Jonah Jameson running the Daily Planet and Wonder Woman wielding Mjolnir.
The portals were caused by the awakening of two brothers, each personifying a universe. They hated each other and threatened to battle each other, which would destroy everything. Cooler heads prevailed and The Brothers had champions fight each other. The losing universe would be destroyed.
The Brothers are swayed by the similarities between Batman, Captain America and their respective worlds. The Brothers make peace…for now.
Why This Story?: Batman v. Superman and The Avengers both banked on people wanting to see their favorite heroes unite. So how much money would studios make if The Justice League teamed up with The Avengers?
Which of these Superhero Movie Longshots would you watch? Tell us in the comments.
Jared Bounacos has written for Movie Rewind since 2016.
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