Superman: The Animated Series featured a swathe of incredible villains who would flourish in a live-action DCU movie. While many classic Superman: TAS foes have appeared prominently throughout the DCU timeline, several incredible adversaries have only appeared in live-action in television series. Others, meanwhile, have never been adapted outside of animation, despite their impeccable appearances in Superman: The Animated Series that prove how effective they would truly be.

Superman: The Animated Series depicted the iconic Man of Steel’s adventures as part of the DC Animated Universe. Though not as beloved or influential as its predecessor, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: TAS produced many incredible episodes over its five-year duration. These frequently include a wide range of DC friends and foes, including Supergirl and the Justice League. As the DCU plans its future, it would be wise to consider some of the most thrilling villains from Superman: The Animated Series and bring them into the cinematic realm.

10

Granny Goodness Was An Unconventional Foe

Granny Goodness Was Voiced By Ed Asner

Granny Goodness, a formidable antagonist in Superman: The Animated Series, stands out as a uniquely menacing figure within the DC Universe. Her demeanor combines a seemingly grandmotherly exterior with a brutal, unrelenting nature, making her an especially unsettling villain. She embodies a blend of psychological manipulation and physical intimidation, shaping young warriors into fierce enforcers.

Given her compelling portrayal in Superman: The Animated Series, Granny Goodness would make a fantastic live-action villain. Indeed, Granny Goodness appeared very briefly in Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Smallville. However, neither explored the villain to her full potential. Her character provides an opportunity to explore themes of loyalty, indoctrination, and the corrupting influence of power. A live-action adaptation could dupe the audience with a seemingly sweet grandmother figure only to reveal that she is behind the narrative’s villainy.

9

Lobo Flourished Despite The Censorship

Lobo Was Voiced By Brad Garrett

Lobo’s appearances in Superman: The Animated Series truly demonstrate the character’s potential even within the constraints of family-friendly programming. Lobo retained his quintessential anti-hero persona, a bounty hunter from the Czarnian race known for his irreverence, brute strength, and no-holds-barred attitude. Despite heavy censorship to tone down his more violent and crude tendencies, Lobo’s episodes flourished, capturing his rebellious spirit and wild antics.

This success demonstrates that Lobo can be adapted to a broader audience without losing his essence. This has been a major complication in portraying the villain in a genre typified by a family-friendly tone. Live-action adaptations of Lobo have been attempted numerous times, with Jason Momoa even rumored to play Lobo after completing his stint as the DCEU’s Aquaman. However, Lobo has only appeared once in live-action, in a short film by the American Film Institute.

8

Brainiac Was Sophisticated and Compelling

Brainiac Was Voiced By Corey Burton

Brainiac emerges as a highly effective villain in Superman: TAS, embodying the cold, calculating menace that poses a significant threat to Superman. Brainiac is depicted as a super-intelligent, emotionless artificial intelligence from Krypton, with a relentless pursuit of knowledge and power. His detachment and advanced technological prowess make him a difficult adversary, challenging Superman both intellectually and physically. Brainiac’s portrayal in the animated series demonstrates his potential as a great live-action villain.

Brainiac’s character brings a unique blend of scientific intellect and ruthless efficiency, contrasting with Superman’s humanity and moral compass. Despite appearances in TV shows like Smallville and Krypton, Brainiac has yet to make his live-action movie debut. The character’s rich backstory and the dramatic tension he introduces would translate well to the big screen. A live-action Brainiac could explore the ethical implications of technological advancement, providing a compelling and modern adversary for Superman.

7

Parasite Was A Fearsome Presence

Parasite Was Voiced By Brion James

Parasite emerges as a truly fearsome villain in Superman: The Animated Series, leaving a truly lasting impression. His ability to absorb the powers and memories of others, particularly Superman, makes him a particularly challenging foe. Each encounter between Superman and Parasite is charged with tension, as Parasite’s hunger for power and his growing intellect pose a constant threat. Parasite’s effectiveness in Superman: TAS lies in his relentless pursuit of strength and his unsettling ability to weaken Superman, both physically and psychologically.

The transformation from an ordinary man to a monstrous entity adds a palpable layer of horror to his character. His presence in Superman: TAS taps into the fear of losing one’s identity and autonomy​​​​​​. While variations of Parasite have appeared in Smallville, Superman & Lois, and Supergirl, none have matched the effectiveness and chilling presence of his animated portrayal.

6

Livewire Was A Dynamic Villain

Livewire Was Voiced By Lori Petty

Livewire was an electrifying villain created specifically for Superman: The Animated Series. Livewire is introduced as a shock jock radio host who gains electric-based abilities after an accident. Her unique powers force Superman to confront the dangers of modern technology and the media. Livewire’s character is especially compelling thanks to her rebellious attitude and dynamic personality, making her an especially captivating character.

Livewire’s motivations stem from a personal vendetta against Superman, fueled by her belief that he ruined her career. This personal grudge, combined with her newfound powers, makes her a relentless and unpredictable foe. Despite appearances in Smallville and Supergirl, Livewire has yet to appear in a live-action DCU movie. Her vibrant character and distinctive abilities would translate well to the big screen, offering a modern and edgy antagonist for the DCU.

5

Metallo Had The Most Sympathetic Arc

Metallo Was Voiced By Malcolm McDowell

Metallo stands out as one of the most compelling and sympathetic villains in Superman: The Animated Series. Metallo is the alter ego of John Corben, a mercenary transformed into a cyborg powered by a Kryptonite heart. This transformation robs him of his humanity, creating a powerful and tragic antagonist. What makes Metallo particularly effective is his blend of brute strength and emotional depth.

Struggling with his new identity and driven by a deep-seated resentment towards Superman, Metallo’s character explores themes of loss, identity, and vengeance. His ability to physically afflict Superman with his Kryptonite heart makes him a significant threat, while his tragic backstory elicits a measure of sympathy. Though he has appeared in live-action series like Smallville and CW’s Arrowverse, these adaptations have often struggled to capture the same level of profundity and emotional complexity as the animated series.

4

Bizarro Was A Monstrous Presence

Bizarro Was Voiced By Tim Daly

Bizarro proves to be a dynamic and uniquely sympathetic villain in Superman: The Animated Series. Bizarro is presented not as a “mirror image” of the Man of Steel, but more akin to a Frankenstein’s monster. Created from a failed cloning experiment, Bizarro gains Superman’s powers but lacks his intellect and understanding of the world. This portrayal emphasizes his tragic nature, evoking both fear and pity.

In Superman: TAS, Bizarro’s childlike confusion and desire to do good, despite his destructive tendencies, make him a compelling character. His misguided attempts to emulate Superman often lead to chaos, highlighting the profound differences between the two despite their physical similarities. Although Bizarro has appeared in the Arrowverse and various other live-action television series, these adaptations often fail to imbue the same level of nuance and pathos as Superman: TAS.

3

Toyman Was Genuinely Creepy

Toyman Was Voiced By Bud Cort

Toyman, as depicted in Superman: The Animated Series, was a particularly creepy and effective villain. This version of Toyman is a far cry from his comic book origins. He is presented as a sinister figure with a childlike facade, using deadly toys to commit crimes and exact revenge. His eerie mask and rictus grin create an unsettling demeanor and a chilling presence. Toyman’s effectiveness lies in the contrast between his innocent appearance and his malicious intent.

Toyman’s schemes often involve elaborate traps and deadly toys, making him a distinctive adversary. While Toyman has been adapted into various live-action television series, these renditions have generally lacked the same level of terror and complexity seen in Superman: TAS. Bringing this version of Toyman to a live-action movie would allow for a fresh and disturbing take on the character, adapting these successful elements from Toyman’s appearances in the DCAU.

2

Mr. Mxyzptlk Could Be Adapted To Be A Chilling Villain

Mr. Mxyzptlk Was Voiced By Gilbert Gottfried

Mr. Mxyzptlk was a bizarre yet entertaining adversary in Superman: The Animated Series. This impish trickster from the Fifth Dimension thrives on chaos and mischief, confronting Superman not with brute strength but with reality-bending antics. His erratic and cartoonish style, characterized by whimsical schemes and a gleeful disregard for order, makes him an especially memorable antagonist. Superman: TAS effectively leverages Mxyzptlk’s unpredictable nature, showcasing his ability to turn everyday situations into surreal, high-stakes challenges for Superman.

This portrayal highlights Mr. Mxyzptlk’s cunning and creativity, making him a formidable foe despite his seemingly harmless appearance. In live-action adaptations, including Smallville and Supergirl, Mxyzptlk has been depicted in a more subdued manner, lacking the manic energy and outlandishness that define his animated counterpart. A live-action version closer to the Superman: TAS portrayal could reconfigure him as a sinister presence, combining his whimsical chaos with a more menacing undertone.

1

Unity Would Be Thrilling In Live-Action

Unity Was Voiced By Stephen Root

In Superman: The Animated Series, Unity stands out as one of the most dynamic villains. This parasitic alien entity, along with its human host, Reverend Amos Howell, introduces a level of horror and psychological tension far greater than other villains. Unity’s ability to infect and control the minds of an entire town, turning its inhabitants into zombie-like drones, creates an eerie and oppressive atmosphere. Reverend Howell, portrayed with unsettling calm, serves as the perfect conduit for Unity’s malevolent influence, adding a layer of disturbing zealotry to the mix.

Unity’s effectiveness as a villain lies in its combination of body horror and psychological manipulation. The scenes of townspeople being overtaken by the parasitic entity and transformed into mindless servants are deeply unsettling. This theme of loss of autonomy and the perversion of a trusted community figure like Reverend Howell amplifies the horror, making Unity a uniquely terrifying antagonist. Translating Unity into a live-action movie would offer an opportunity to delve deeper into these elements, offering a truly unique live-action Superman villain.