The world is experiencing a Golden Age of comic book movies. From the Marvel Cinematic Universe to the DC Multiverse, superheroes and supervillains are at an all-time high. As a result of this, so many projects are being proposed and for one reason or another, not every movie makes it.
There is no better example of this than the plethora of canceled DC projects in the past. So many movies were planned to be made but never saw the light of day. Since DC has been the master of animated films for years, fans have proposed that several of these projects get fully realized in this format.
The Wachowskis’ Plastic Man
Before even the first Matrix was made, the Wachowskis had developed a script for a Plastic Man movie. After their Speed Racer adaptation, they wanted to try and make it. So, the Plastic Man movie went through the rounds as Warner Bros. with actors like Keanu Reeves, David Tennant, and even Jim Carrey being looked at for the titular role.
However, nothing much was heard about it and it never got made. Plastic Man is such an interesting idea of a small-time criminal becoming a superhero that it deserves a proper adaptation. Perhaps the Wachowski sisters should try their hands at animation, especially if the new rumored Plastic Man movie ends up being false.
Lobo
Everyone loves a good anti-hero and Lobo is the epitome of a DC anti-hero. Who is he? An alien bounty hunter who is capable of taking on Superman. With the diverse and wild cosmic world of DC, Lobo had shown potential and Warner Bros. saw that; this resulted in them announcing a Lobo movie directed by Guy Ritchie.
Dwayne Johnson was going to play the Main Man but one thing led to another and it was canceled. Considering the cult following for the character combined with the disappointment of the canceled Krypton spin-off series, Lobo should get his own animated film to make up for it.
Tim Burton’s Catwoman
Michelle Pfieffer was so close to getting her own spin-off film after Batman Returns, hence that little tease at the end of the film. However, Warner Bros. did not like the dark and disturbing sequel Burton had made so the spin-off went through a lot of revisions. This resulted in so many drastic changes until becoming the universally mocked Catwoman movie starring Halle Berry.
With Michael Keaton returning to the Batman role in The Flash, it would be the perfect time to expand upon his world on Earth-89. What was Catwoman up to after Batman Returns? Is she an anti-hero? A villain? So much story potential that can be fleshed out in animation.
Batman Unchained
Everyone knows by now that Batman & Robin was a disaster that killed the Batman franchise until Batman Begins rebooted it. However, director Joel Schumacher himself was forced by the studio to turn the movie into a giant toy commercial. Joel was ready to redeem himself with the fifth film in the series called Batman Unchained.
It would have featured Scarecrow and Harley Quinn but it was quickly canceled. Pieces of the story would be repurposed for Batman: Arkham Knight in 2015. After Schumacher’s tragic passing, fans have expressed interest in seeing both the director’s cut of Batman Forever and Batman Unchained.
Batman Continues
Tim Burton was turned down not once but twice as he was ready to complete his own trilogy of Batman movies. Burton was turned down because his vision was considered too dark and then Batman Forever was made. The third film titled Batman Continues was a lot farther along than one might have thought before cancelation.
Keaton was signed on and a new and improved Batsuit was being built. So just like with Catwoman, it is a perfect time to give Burton his third film in animated form. It could act as a prequel to Batman Forever to build up the hype for Keaton’s return in the The Flash movie.
Green Arrow: Escape From Supermax
Green Arrow is in dire need of a comeback; after Arrow‘s finale, nothing Green Arrow-wise has been announced. No DCEU movie, no animated series, not even his own Arkham-styled game. This is strange considering the love the character has gained over the years. Well shocker here, there almost was a Green Arrow movie.
It was going to be written and directed by David S. Goyer and feature Green Arrow being put in prison for a murder he didn’t commit. Green Arrow: Escape From Supermax was going to feature Lex Luthor, The Joker, and more. This concept screams for resurrection and an animated film starring Alan Tudyk or Neal McDonough sounds ideal.
Superman Lives
Probably the most infamous case of a canceled DC film as there was an entire documentary about it. Superman Lives starring none other than Nicolas Cage as the Man of Steel himself. It was going to be directed by Tim Burton and was so close to filming before it was canceled; another loss for poor Tim Burton.
The plot and concepts for the film were bizarre and unusual but it still has fans curious. So since Nicolas Cage has voiced Superman in the past for Teen Titans Go! To The Movies, he could do it again. The strange concepts might even work better with animation.
Justice League: Mortal
The other most famous case is Justice League: Mortal, created by Mad Max’s George Miller. It was going to star Armie Hammer as Batman, Common as Green Lantern, DJ Cotrona as Superman, and more. Superman and Wonder Woman were going to have the fight of the century and Maxwell Lord was the main villain.
Sadly, the writer strike at the time combined with the success of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight led to the film being shut down just days before shooting. More information about the film has been released over the years and now fans are begging for it to be finished. With animation, that would be a piece of cake.
