The greater the threat, the stronger the hero. Even though supervillains forever hold an agenda to harm the ones who stand side by side with good, it cannot be denied that they hold as much importance as the heroes themselves in terms of serving the captivating plot. Numerous movie adaptations of comic book superheroes have featured various outlaws as adversaries; leaving few underutilized. Here are over a dozen such comic book villains that deserve a movie:
15. Deadshot
Floyd Lawton aka Deadshot has been clashing against Batman for years. In the battle of a man who utilizes guns against the one who has sworn never to use them, Deadshot has never failed to give the Dark Knight a tough time and has earned a reputation for being one of the deadliest villains in DC Comics.
Often dubbed as the world’s greatest assassin, he has claimed never to miss a shot and that is exactly why an impressive not-just-another-gunman like him deserves to be in a movie.
14. Mister Sinister
Debuting in the Uncanny X-Men issue, Nathaniel Essex – under the alias Mister Sinister – was destined for domination as well as recognition. Despite his name appearing in X2 when Mystique was browsing on Lady Deathstrike’s computer, the unique character never received a movie due.
With superpowers such as durability, shape-shifting, strong immunity, and teleportation, the leader of the Marauders has proved multiple times a major threat to X-Men over the years.
13. Hela
Thor might be the god of thunder but Hela is the goddess of death. Based on the Norse goddess of the same name, she is the child of Thor’s arch-nemesis and brother, Loki. Gifted the title of goddess of death by Odin, Hela set her sights on the path of destruction and battled various gods to do so.
Responsible for various dramatic moments in the god of thunder’s life, it would not be a surprise if she finally battles him on the big screen.
12. Dr. Hugo Strange
The maniacal Dr. Hugo Strange is not only one of the Caped Crusader’s earliest villains but also one of the first – and very few – who was able to deduce the identity of Batman.
With genius-level intellect, strong command over psychology, mastering the art of manipulation, and excessive exposure to criminology, Strange fits perfectly on the screen like a mad scientist performing sadistic experiments on the patients of Arkham Asylum.
11. Ultron
Created by Dr. Henry “Hank” Pym aka The Ant-Man, the mechanical menace Ultron has forced the Avengers to reunite multiple times to stop its quest for annihilating humanity. The distinctive villain, due to its self-upgrading and constant learning, can never be permanently stopped.
Ultron is one of the two characters on the list who will appear in a feature-length movie in the future. James Spader of The Office fame will portray the robotic terror in the upcoming Avengers sequel titled The Avengers: Age of Ultron in 2015.
10. Black Cat
Following in the footsteps of her father, Felicia Hardy is one of the most remarkable femme fatales in Marvel Comics. Being one of the few villains who is aware of the secret identity of her adversary Spider-Man; Black Cat holds the reputation of being not only seductive but also a volatile part of Peter Parker’s love life.
Often compared to DC Comics’ Catwoman, Hardy has all the capabilities and attention to be adapted in any of the upcoming Spiderman films. Despite having an on-and-off relationship with Spiderman, the latter has always kept himself active when it comes to crimes committed by the cat burglar.
9. The Leader
After being bombarded by gamma radiation while working in a chemical plant, Dr. Samuel Sterns was changed forever as the radiation changed him into a green-skinned genius with a gigantic brain, literally. Bent on power and supremacy, Sterns quickly donned the alias Leader and proved to be a worthy opponent for the much bigger and stronger Hulk; another victim of gamma radiation.
Tim Blake Nelson portrayed Sterns as an ally of Dr. Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk in 2008 where he was seen grinning when the latter’s irradiated blood falls on his cranium; slightly enlarging it and hinting at a possible introduction of the character in a future Hulk film.
8. Deathstroke
Often underrated, Slade Wilson has everything to be recognized as possibly the most untouchable, if not the greatest villain of all time. A master tactician, expert martial artist, and incredible agility to lead allowed this villain to gain popularity among the fans; forcing DC Comics to turn him into an anti-hero and occasionally a hero.
The character’s unprecedented love from the fans blessed the deadly mercenary with a series of his own. The skillful assassin’s thirst for combat knows no boundaries; thus being a perfect villain to battle the Dark Knight himself on the big screen.
7. Carnage
Falling victim to the very venom who corrupted Peter Parker and Eddie Brock aka Spiderman and Venom respectively, Cletus Kasady went on a killing spree after realizing that he is now an unstoppable force. Known for his massacre and cruelty from an early age, the villainous Carnage is Spiderman’s most ferocious villain to date.
To put an end to Carnage’s terror, Spiderman had to make a deal with the devil as he requested his one-time foe Venom to help him take this villain down. The unexpected turn of events can be a perfect storyline for a movie adaptation; much to the pleasure of comic book fans worldwide.
6. Apocalypse
One of the greatest comic book creations in Marvel Comics history, the villainous En Sabah Nur has it all to come head-to-toe against the forces of Professor Charles Xavier aka Professor X. With a matchless fury and immortality, Apocalypse has been involved in various tragedies and disasters of X-Men and various other Marvel Comics superheroes.
Though the character has appeared in an animated form numerous times, the chances of Apocalypse appearing in a feature-length movie seem quite slim.
5. Darkseid
Born a god in Apokolips and widely known for his super endurance, invulnerability, and the Omega Force, Darkseid’s wrath has not only met Superman but also the entire flock of Justice League. With intentions to conquer and rule, his methods, though questionable, certainly get him results; making him one of the finest evil characters on screen.
Because his terror was nearly impossible to stop by the members of the Justice League, his presence in a possible Justice League film, if not likely, will be highly appreciable.
4. Doomsday
With invulnerability, superhuman speed, healing factor, and superhuman strength, this villain has it all to be called an unstoppable force. None of the villains in Superman’s Rogue Gallery deserve recognition as much as this creature, Doomsday.
Best known to not only defeat but also kill fellow Kryptonians, none other than the Man of Steel in his prime, a film based on the 1992 comic book issue The Death and Return of Superman will be one for the ages.
3. Black Mask
Crime lord Roman Sionis is no laughing matter. Under the alias Black Mask and with countless underworld connections and access to vast wealth, the villain is as tough as they come.
Apart from organized crime and standing for everything against what Batman is, what makes Black Mask remarkable is his approach to realism due to his mysterious and silent yet deadly persona; making the self-proclaimed King of Gotham City a notorious villain to star in not only a future Batman film but any crime film.
2. Vandal Savage
Heavily neglected but not forgotten. His immortality turns the tables in every battle Vandal Savage has engaged in; alive since prehistoric times and donning the mantle of the likes of Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, Vlad the Impaler, Blackbeard, Alexander the Great, etc.
Debuting in Green Lantern comic books, his ire extended to various other superheroes of DC Comics. A villain with charisma as eccentric as his origin story, it would be quite unfair to leave an outlaw of his magnetism out of the future Justice League film or its sequels.
1. Deadpool
There has never been a more diverse comic book character than Wade Winston Wilson. Technically an anti-hero, the character has shared a few times as a baddie as well. With his frequent ability to break the fourth wall, cracking jokes in outrageous moments, and at the same time proving that he is tough as they come, the character quickly gained attention and love from fans and critics alike.
Though Ryan Reynolds portrayed the cunning Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the character was nothing like the one from the comic books as if it was entirely a different mutant with the same name. Losing the breathtaking torso of deadly weapons along with all of the remarkable traits and being equipped with ridiculously long blades, Reynolds’ Deadpool was a major disappointment to fans.
However, the character is soon getting a movie of his very own with Reynolds to reprise the role. The movie is rumored to stay true to the character even to the point of Deadpool breaking the fourth wall.
What names come to your mind when you think of some impressive comic book villains that deserve a movie? Share with us a few names in the comments section below!
