Few fans are as dedicated as those who identify with DC, but the franchise seems to always fumble the ball just before crossing the finish line. Just when it seems like your favorite hero may finally get their screen time to shine, Warner Bros. still manages to stumble. Strange casting, shelving projects, and missed opportunities seem to be something of a curse that follows certain DC characters. This list highlights 10 DC heroes who have faced the harshest setbacks, starting with the ones that were mostly unlucky and ending with the characters whose misfortunes truly sting the most.
10. Green Lantern
Green Lantern is one of those movies that came out in the DCEU’s pre-success era, and boy, did it bomb big time. While Ryan Reynolds did his best in this flick, it simply didn’t resonate with audiences, and ever since, Green Lantern has been stuck in limbo, with projects for its follow-ups shelved indefinitely. Perhaps with Guy Gardner in Superman and Green Lantern Corps in the works, there is finally some light at the end of the tunnel for Green Lantern’s franchise.
9. Black Manta
Black Manta was the standout of Aquaman, and it was a shock when Warner Bros. quietly shelved his solo film (The Trench) before fans had even heard about it. Naturally, he did reappear in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, but that chance for a real antihero leading role was gone—unlike Black Adam, who got his blockbuster.
8. The Joker
Not even the Clown Prince of Crime is safe. Jared Leto’s Joker in Suicide Squad was a meme rather than a monster. And then Todd Phillips’ Joker came along, delivering. Until the tonal shift of the sequel left the fans bewildered. Warner Bros. has managed to get arguably the most iconic DC villain wrong more than once.
7. Shazam
The first Shazam! The movie was nice, emotional, and a hit. Its sequel and Black Adam spin-off were not as fortunate. Lightning twice failed to strike, disappointing both fans and Zachary Levi.
6. The Justice League
The 2017 Justice League was DC’s Avengers moment. What we got instead was the Whedon cut—forced comedy, tone whiplash, and dubious character choices. Fans at last experienced what might have been with the Snyder Cut, but the harm had already been done.
5. Batgirl
Warner Bros. almost gave us a Batgirl movie with Leslie Grace and Michael Keaton’s Batman—but then they cancelled it at the very last minute for a tax write-off. The same happened to Batgirl’s shelving, which became the emblem of DCEU mismanagement, where fans wonder whether Barbara Gordon will finally have her time on screen.
4. Batman
Ben Affleck’s Batman polarized fans with his brutal, sadistic style. Luckily, Matt Reeves’ new Elseworlds trilogy is a more traditional Dark Knight—but the perpetual switching between versions has worn me out.
3. Superman
Henry Cavill’s Superman began well, only to be studio indecision hastily put on ice. Brooding, nihilistic, and perpetually trapped in eye-rolling plot twists, Cavill’s Clark Kent hasn’t been given a decent movie since 2017, leaving fans in limbo.
2. The Flash
The Flash solo film was an exercise in chaos. Production problems, rewrites, and rumors about the star actor dominated the headlines—so much so that Batman and Supergirl wound up upstaging in a film about the Scarlet Speedster himself.
1. Wonder Woman
Diana Prince kicked off well, her solo film and Batman v Superman reveal winning her fan love. Wonder Woman 1984, however, did not deliver—iconic trailers couldn’t salvage a movie heavily banked on Chris Pine. Fans now prepare themselves for the inevitable reboot, hoping this time around the Amazonian warrior deserves her dues.
And there you have it: ten DC characters Warner Bros. can’t appear to manage. If you’re still holding out hope for your favorites, then don’t worry, you’re not alone—sometimes, venting is all a fan can do.