Feature films based on DC Comics have seen varying degrees of success since Richard Donner’s Superman kicked off the modern age of comic book adaptations in 1978. Unfortunately, DC’s wealth of characters has failed to make it to the silver screen in the past 30 years with the same bulk or momentum that Marvel’s superheroes have managed in the past decade, exposing movie-going audiences to not only a criminally small fraction of the DC universe, but also a predictably white one.
Since Batman and Superman have been tasked with carrying most of DC’s box office burden—and the majority of remaining superheroes in their shared universe are white—it stands to reason that whatever upcoming DC movie projects there are will likely lack racially diverse superheroes.
More unfortunate is that Warner Bros. has actually tried giving heroes of color leading roles a couple of times, but both tries ended in disaster. The ‘90s film Steel, based on the story of the black John Henry Irons in the wake of Superman’s death, was plagued with too much camp, cheese and Shaquille O’Neal to be successful. Although the athlete had shown some comedic talent by the time he was up for the action role, O’Neal’s casting was a clear sign of how seriously the audience should take the material before ever setting foot in a theater. With a low budget that also didn’t do the movie any favors, Steel bombed big time and fell into fast obscurity.
== TEASER ==Catwoman, too, featured a black lead with the casting of Halle Berry, boldly supplanting the white norm of the comics. However, the movie’s other departures from the original stuff—including the name, home, skill-set and associates of the original character—doomed it to a lack of fan support well before other problems offered nails for its coffin.
Obviously, the ethnicities of these characters weren’t inherently responsible for their failures, nor were their films the only duds from DC properties (Jonah Hex, Superman Returns, Green Lantern). Managed correctly, though, some of DC’s black superheroes have enough big-screen potential to warrant the consideration of Warner Bros. Below are the three with the most promise, along with suggestions of how they should be realized on film.
Steel (John Henry Irons)
Why He Has Big-Screen Potential:
As mentioned above, Warner Bros. has seen possibility in the character before, and with good reason. John Henry Irons was easily the most grounded and complex superhero to spring from the Death of Superman aftermath, and went on to have a solo comic book during the ‘90s. Although John’s role since has been mostly a supporting one in the Superman books, his presence has endured surprisingly well, as he’s been written into the Justice League’s animated series and comics, emerged front and center during DC’s lauded 52 event, starred in the Infinity Inc. group book as the main character, and even survived the recent DC relaunch to appear in ACTION COMICS. Overall, something about John’s appeal has engaged writers and fans alike for almost 20 years.
How His Film Treatment Could Work:
A new Steel movie would undeniably necessitate a start-from-scratch reboot, but there are a few aspects of the original film that should remain intact. Like the first flick, a new take should ax the comic book origin story that saw John finding inspiration from Superman. This John’s adventures should feel fully self-sufficient, and while a hint or two at a shared universe with Superman is fine, the audience should believe that he’s a hero entirely of his own making. Another approach that the first film got right was the attention it paid to inner city gangs; when the weapons John invented for military use find their way into his own neighborhood and threaten the youths there, John’s story becomes a compelling tale of desperate redemption, as well as one of potentially biting social consciousness.
However, a new film could benefit from taking itself far more seriously than the first one did. In the comics, a drive-by shooting kills two kids in front of John and critically injures him before he ever puts on a cape, establishing an atmosphere of tragic brutality that the original movie never explored. If a new film fully embraced the gritty nuances of John’s hometown slum, as well as the emotional damage and complex dangers it presents to him and his loved ones, his story could have extraordinary resonance in a way other superhero fare hasn’t tried. Moreover, an adaptation positing that even a man in a suit of technologically advanced armor is still an underdog—considering the cycles of gang violence, poverty and racial oppression he’s up against—would set a Steel movie apart from Iron Man territory, and could even set a precedent for a new kind of superhero movie.
Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Why He Has Big-Screen Potential:
John Stewart, an African-American Green Lantern, has skyrocketed in popularity due to the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited animated series on Cartoon Network. Originally recruited in the comics as a backup for the more popular, and white, Hal Jordan, John has come into his own as a hero just as autonomous and legitimate in pop culture. Well before the Green Lantern movie opted for Hal as its protagonist, a nearly-made Justice League feature film would have starred Common as John Stewart. Regardless, John still has a prominent role in the Green Lantern comic books, and has shown up on Cartoon Network’s current Young Justice series.
How His Film Treatment Could Work:
Since Warner Bros. is committed to making direct sequels to the Green Lantern film from this summer, it’s clear that Hal Jordan will continue to be the series’ protagonist. But that doesn’t mean John Stewart can’t have a principal role. Much like James Rhodes’ part increased alongside Tony Stark’s in the Iron Man films, the Green Lantern movies could use John Stewart as a friend/foe whose methods and mentality generate friction with Hal before a true partnership blossoms.
A scenario as simple as John temporarily inheriting the Green Lantern ring after Hal seems mortally wounded could easily bring the character into a sequel. Once Hal recovers, but John proves his unexpected worth as a Lantern, the stage would be set for the two to compete for the privilege of the ring—until an adversary requiring their combined efforts forces them to come to their senses. Given Hal’s struggle with responsibility from the first film, a rival with the serious demeanor and iron will John Stewart is known for could make him the prefect foil—especially given how badly Hal needs a compelling conflict for the Green Lantern movies to continue.
Static (Virgil Hawkins)
Why He Has Big-Screen Potential:
2000’s animated program Static Shock, which lasted an impressive four seasons, introduced the Milestone Comics character to millions of young viewers and indelibly marked the superhero’s place in pop consciousness. Static now has his own comic book series in DC Comics proper, and has appeared on Justice League Unlimited.
How His Film Treatment Could Work:
Very simply, a movie adaptation of the Static Shock comic should stay true to source material. Virgil Hawkins’ success on screen need not be much of a riddle given his relatability; his spunky sense of humor, academic pressures, teenage outlook and secret identity woes provide ample possibility for a compelling hero, and his similarities with the successful Spider-Man character are no accident. Virgil’s TV show proved that he has the personality—and enough interesting enemies on top of it—to keep his story exciting and entertaining should he ever get the live-action try.
These suggestions aren’t the final word on black superheroes who deserve to be on the silver screen, but they’re probably the ones with the biggest chances of being considered. And with a film industry that’s playing it safer than ever, these three have the built-in fanbases that would make them the “least risky” minorities to take on.
While black heroes like Mr. Terrific and Batwing have their own comic books, and characters like Cyborg and Aqualad have gathered impressive buzz on television, few have seen enough spotlight and “push” like Steel, John Stewart and Static to invite bated breath.
That’s not even to mention DC’s female black superheroes, whose presence altogether in comics is so negligible that chances of prominent film roles for them anytime soon are slim to none.
Likewise, superheroes of color who aren’t black are also regrettably hard to come by. While talks about TV shows for characters like Jaime Reyes and Renee Montoya surface from time to time, their big-screen debuts still look like distant prospects. Overall, DC’s minority characters of either sex face some serious barriers in number and attention that preclude much Hollywood dreaming.