One of the most popular subject for superhero movie articles is that there should be a movie starring a female superhero. Marvel seems to be making headway in that direction with a Jessica Jones series on Netflix and a rumored Peggy Carter TV show. Also Marvel Comics is releasing new series starring She-Hulk, Elektra, Black Widow and Ms. Marvel in addition to a relaunch of Captain Marvel and the all female line-up in X-Men. These are the 15 characters that could make a good movie or TV series. I could not included some characters due to rights (Storm, X-23 are at Fox and Black Cat, Spider-Girl are at Sony). There are other potential characters, such as Firestar or Tigra who just missed the cut.
15. Mockingbird
Mockingbird was
announced a long time ago as a potential ABC Family series with Bobbi Morse as
a high school student, seemed like a live-action young adult Kim Possible concept (actually now that
I brought it up, Marvel should definitely use Kim Possible). But Bobbi Morse as a non-powered
costumed spy is interesting enough.
A potential spin-off from Agents
of S.H.I.E.L.D.
14. White Tiger
White Tiger is a
concept that Marvel keeps trying that has never quite stuck. However with her as part of the cartoon
Ultimate Spider-Man and her in the
roster of The Mighty Avengers it
would seem that Marvel is definitely putting a lot behind this incarnation.
13. Elsa Bloodstone
Simple concept that
could translate beautifully to a movie or series with the right actress: a
British monster hunter. There were
similarities made to Buffy when her series debuted, but Elsa is more action
oriented. I could see this being a
fun little action movie or a BBC style series. Definitely a concept that could go to Netflix for Marvel
Phase Two.
12. Dazzler
I listed Dazzler on
my list of Marvel concepts that Fox could use, but Dazzler’s rights are a
little uncertain. She is a mutant
and most associated with the X-Men, but she has spent a lot of time as a solo
hero and Marvel said they were looking at seeking out her feature
potential. Dazzler is an
interesting character that could work better on screen than on the page since
her entire gimmick is that she is a singer. There is something strangely brilliant about a superhero
with a record deal.
11.
Squirrel Girl
Squirrel
Girl, the character that nobody expected to stick. This is one of Marvel’s largest cult followings. In part due to an ironic appreciation
for ridiculous concepts, but mainly due to her being well handled by writers
like Dan Slott. This is definitely
not a feature film, but she would be absolutely perfect in an animated
series. Squirrel Girl is so
pleasant and such an individual that she would translate perfectly into an
animated comedy series.
10. Ms. Marvel
This new character is
debuting in her own series in February.
This character’s identity as a Muslim has garnered quite a bit of
attention, but it looks like there is a lot more to the character than an
attempt at diversity or controversy.
The preview images have just been released and writer G. Willow Wilson
has a strong take on the series.
This would make for a great teen movie. We are fifteen to twenty years away from this character
headlining a big budget blockbuster, but this could be a great young adult
franchise ala Hunger Games. Marvel
seems to be working hard to make this character work, I am sure they have seen
potential for other media in her.
9. Elektra
Marvel is starting to
use the character again. Of course
her solo movie was a disaster and is listed as one of the reasons why female
superhero movies won’t “work.” But
it is just time for everyone to move past that. If it were up to me I would have Elektra headline a series
in Netflix Phase Two (along with The
Punisher, Ghost Rider and Blade).
8. Daughters of the Dragon
Another concept that
might work better on the screen than on the page. There has yet to be a superhero buddy movie and these are
the perfect two to do it. An odd
juxtaposition of martial arts and blaxploitation tropes, Misty Knight and
Colleen Wing are private investigators that are almost inseparable. This does not even need to be marketed
as a superhero movie, but it would be a really awesome action film.
7. Angela
Marvel did not buy a
character just to follow up an event, they will definitely be looking to use
her on the screen. With her
association with the Guardians of the Galaxy in the comics she could
potentially spin-off from that film.
A movie written by creator Neil Gaiman would be great.
6. Spectrum
Monica Rambeau is
never going to be called Captain Marvel again
and Spectrum is not exactly the most marketable title for a superhero
movie. But this is a great Marvel
hero who is finally back in the comics.
Monica would make for an interesting superhero film, because unlike most
heroes she actually wants to do it.
She has a law enforcement background, a great setting in New Orleans,
awesome powers and a good costume.
Not sure why Marvel has never attempted an ongoing series with her, but
they should look into it.
5. Sif
Timing is perfect for
this surprising candidate. With
her headlining Kathryn Immonen’s popular run on Journey Into Mystery, a large fan base for the movie character and
outrage that she was not cast as Wonder Woman this has to be a movie Marvel is
looking into. Instead of another
sequel to Thor a spinoff for her may be a smarter move. I considered fellow Asgardian Valkyrie for this list, but people
definitely want to see Sif.
4. Spider-Woman
Spider-Woman has
become one of the more popular characters in the comics in recent years. The double, triple agent of
S.H.I.E.L.D./HYDRA/Avengers/S.W.O.R.D. brought some complex plotting into the
New Avengers. She is unpredictable
and tragic. Marvel has been
bringing her front and center in Avengers art work for the last several years,
they definitely want her to succeed.
With rights for Spider-Man being
tied up at Sony a movie starring Jessica Drew is a great chance for Marvel to
take advantage of that popular name brand.
3. She-Hulk
It is difficult to
explain to non-comic book fans that this is a great character. She seems so ludicrous and in many ways
she is, but in the best ways.
Bruce Banner’s cousin Jennifer Walters was a long running Avenger, the
best replacement member of the Fantastic Four and has had several great solo
runs (namely by John Byrne and recently Dan Slott). This is a funny character who has been prone to breaking the
fourth wall and just being fun.
One of the few superheroes who just enjoys everything about being a
superhero. She is also a lawyer
(which she shows up to court in her She-Hulk form). This would be an surprising comedy or even a good
sitcom. With the character getting
a new solo series soon Marvel may be looking into that.
2. Black Widow
Despite a tepid
response to the character in Iron Man 2
she was a breakout in The Avengers. Scarlett Johansson is a popular,
likable star who loves this role.
She may not be the Russian anti-hero of the comics, but Whedon helped
her find an identity that worked on film.
With an increased role in Captain
America: The Winter Soldier she could be the closest to headlining a solo
film.
1. Captain Marvel
Easily Marvel’s biggest
solo heroine. Marvel has been
putting a large marketing push behind here which is coupled with Kelly Sue
Deconnick’s popular run this is the character that is getting ready to make the
jump to a feature film. Marvel has
announced several more movies, but has not announced what they are. With as intentional as the studio is
they are most likely looking for the best way to make a Carol Danver’s movie
succeed. But I am pretty sure that
she is being developed for a feature along with Inhumans, Doctor Strange and The
Black Panther.
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