Throughout the history of the MCU, the DCU, and beyond, there have been many planned comic book movie spin-offs that could have been truly excellent. Even before the movies of the MCU established a shared comic book universe, there were superhero movies that teased spin-offs to flesh out a wider world. Much like in the comics, where stories have long been interconnected into wider narrative arcs, movies and TV shows have also sought to establish branching narratives following multiple characters within the same continuity.
While there have been many successful spin-offs within the comic book genre, there have also been several planned movies and TV shows that have been canceled before coming to fruition. In many cases, these canceled comic book movies and series had the potential to be truly incredible, though they ultimately never came to pass. Here are 10 comic book movie spin-offs that could have been incredible if they hadn’t been canceled.
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10 Topher Grace’s Venom Might Have Fared Better Solo
Spin-Off From: Spider-Man 3 (2007)
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Sam Raimi’s trilogy came early on in Spider-Man’s movie timeline, but the third and final entry introduced several characters into the director’s movie universe. One such character was the villain Venom, whose origins are explored when an alien symbiote attaches itself to Eddie Brock, Peter Parker’s former colleague who held a grudge against his fellow photographer. At one time, a spin-off was planned following Topher Grace’s Venom.
After the underwhelming response to Spider-Man 3’s iteration of Venom, the planned spin-off was scrapped. However, it would have had the potential to fix one of Spider-Man 3’s biggest missteps – not exploring Venom enough – by giving him more screen time. Further delving into Brock as a character and his relationship with the Venom symbiote worked for the character’s later solo movie, and it’s entirely possible that it could have worked equally well had Topher Grace’s spin-off gone ahead.
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8/10 Spider-Man 3
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*Availability in US Director Sam Raimi Release Date May 4, 2007
9 The Nightstalkers Had Great Cast Potential
Spin-Off From: Blade: Trinity (2004)
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Though Blade: Trinity is often cited as an example of a poor superhero movie, this is generally credited mostly to behind-the-scenes issues. The third Blade movie stands out for the way in which it introduces a new team of vampire hunters, known as the Nightstalkers. By the end of the film, the team’s only surviving members are Hannibal King and Abigail Whistler, played by Ryan Reynolds and Jessica Biel respectively.
A planned spin-off following the Nightstalkers was initially considered, which, considering the lasting star power of the two actors, still seems an interesting prospect. Their characters stood out as two of the more interesting figures in Blade: Trinity, especially Reynolds’ wisecracking Hannibal King. The prospect of a vampire-hunting spinoff featuring the Nightstalkers had genuine potential, thanks almost entirely to the talents of its prospective stars.
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6/10 Blade: Trinity
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*Availability in US Director David S. Goyer Release Date December 8, 2004
8 Chris O’Donnell’s Nightwing Could Have Redeemed Schumacher’s Hero
Spin-Off From: Batman & Robin (1997)
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Though they’re often dismissed entirely, there are positive aspects of Joel Schumacher’s Batman movies. At one time, a spin-off was planned which would have seen Chris O’Donnell reprise his role as Dick Grayson, assuming the mantle of Nightwing and moving out from under Batman’s shadow. Though the critical response to Batman Forever and Batman & Robin was underwhelming, the planned spin-off had promise.
O’Donnell’s Robin suffered from the same wackiness as every other aspect of Schumacher’s Batman movies, but depending on how the Nightwing spin-off was handled, it could have been very different. In general, Nightwing stories have a darker edge than Grayson’s tenure as Robin employed, meaning that it could have offered some redemption to O’Donnell’s iteration of the character. Though it will forever remain an unknown, there’s a chance that the Nightwing spin-off might have been great.
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1/10 Batman & Robin
Director Joel Schumacher Release Date June 20, 1997
7 Will Smith’s Deadshot Was An Interesting DCEU Figure
Spin-Off From: Suicide Squad (2016)
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Many of the movies of the DCEU failed to impress, but 2016’s Suicide Squad failed even more than most. However, for all its shortcomings, the movie did have its positive points: in particular, the performances of Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Will Smith as Deadshot were praised. Robbie had a chance to reprise her role, but Smith did not, despite there originally having been plans for his character to receive a solo spin-off.
Smith’s own star power and acting talent would have lent legitimacy to his Deadshot spin-off, but its potential runs far deeper. Suicide Squad’s introduction of the character established a depth of pathos and personal tragedy that made him particularly interesting, as his villainy came with a softer side. Though the spin-off was canceled before it came to pass, Smith’s second turn in the role could have been great.
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5/10 Suicide Squad
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*Availability in US Director David Ayer Release Date August 5, 2016
6 Tim Burton’s Catwoman Could Have Explored An Iconic Character
Spin-Off From: Batman Returns (1992)
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Introduced in 1992’s Batman Returns, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman established a new and quirky spin on the character. Part villain, part anti-hero, Pfeiffer’s Catwoman served as one of the most fascinating elements of Batman Returns, leading to plans for a spin-off for her character. Ultimately, the film went unmade, with Catwoman’s solo movie eventually becoming the ill-fated 2004 Halle Berry project.
Pfeiffer’s Catwoman movie had incredible potential, on the condition that Tim Burton returned to helm it. Batman Returns’ version of the character was every bit as unique and bizarre as every other aspect of Burton’s Gotham, and his vision for Catwoman was undoubtedly an interesting one. The hypersexualized feline energy of Pfeiffer’s Catwoman was oddly perfect and could have contributed to a truly excellent standalone spin-off. It certainly would have been better than Halle Berry’s version.
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8/10 Batman Returns
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*Availability in US Director Tim Burton Release Date June 19, 1992
5 Hellboy: Silverlance Would Have Expanded Del Toro’s Universe
Spin-Off From: Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)
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Guillermo del Toro proved in 2004 that he was the perfect choice to direct the live-action adaptation of Mike Mignola’s Hellboy, and his collaboration with Ron Perlman to bring the character to life was met with widespread acclaim. The sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army, expanded upon the first film’s world, offering greater insight into its characters and their lives as paranormal investigators. A planned spin-off following Hellboy’s amphibian empath partner Abe Sapien, was once in the works but was ultimately canceled.
Abe is one of Hellboy’s best supporting characters, not least because he’s incredibly interesting. Del Toro’s ability to bring stories to life using exceptional practical effects would have made his planned spin-off, Hellboy: Silverlance, something incredible to behold. Though it ultimately went unmade, the spin-off would have added greater depth to the Hellboy film franchise and the character of Abe Sapien.
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Hellboy II: The Golden Army
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*Availability in US Director Guillermo del Toro Release Date July 11, 2008
4 The Sinister Six Would Have Given Andrew Garfield A Huge Spider-Man Moment
Spin-Off From: The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014)
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Though Marc Webb’s Amazing Spider-Man movies were somewhat underappreciated upon release, they have since undergone a more favorable reappraisal. The second film, The Amazing Spider-Man 2, introduced a handful of Spider-Man villains, ending with a major tease for a Sinister Six spin-off. The film seemingly would have included the Green Goblin and Rhino, and it was believed that Mysterio, Doctor Octopus, Vulture, and Kraven the Hunter would have rounded out the team.
The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s tepid reception saw the planned spin-off scrapped, but it could have been an incredible cinematic moment. As the Sinister Six is one of the most iconic villain teams in Marvel Comics, seeing them come to life on the big screen to battle against Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man was an enticing prospect. Sadly, the film wasn’t to be, and plans for a potential villain team-up were instead transferred to Sony’s Spider-Man Universe.
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7/10 The Amazing Spider-Man 2
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*Availability in US Director Marc Webb Release Date May 2, 2014
3 Justice League Could Have Capitalized On Smallville’s Success
Spin-Off From: Smallville (2001)
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Throughout its run, Smallville introduced several Justice League members, with the team assembling on multiple occasions to support Clark Kent in his early days as a hero. There was once a planned spin-off set to follow the team, shifting the focus off of Clark Kent and rather onto their team dynamic. The project never made it to fruition, but it could have potentially been excellent had it come to pass.
The versions of the heroes introduced in Smallville were very much products of the show and as such, fit the same family-friendly vibe. This would likely have allowed the Justice League spin-off to have mass appeal, combined with the fact that it could have springboarded off Smallville’s own success. It’s hard to see any way in which the spin-off wouldn’t have been a hit, though it sadly was not to be.
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8/10 9/10 Smallville
Smallville is a Superhero television series based on the Superman Comic Book series created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. This television release was developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The premise revolves around a young Clark Kent as he arrives on Earth and attempts to live his life while simultaneously keeping his friends, family, and those around him safe thanks to his superpowers.
2 X-Men Origins: Magneto Was The Perfect Story For Fox’s Franchise
Spin-Off From: Fox’s X-Men Franchise
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After the underwhelming reception to 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, two solo spin-offs were announced in Fox’s X-Men movie franchise: X-Men Origins: Wolverine and X-Men Origins: Magneto. The former was released in 2009, and critics’ response saw the planned Magneto spin-off scrapped. Many of the plans for the film were reportedly used for the prequel X-Men: First Class, but it’s easy to imagine what might have been.
Magneto stood out as one of the best characters in Fox’s franchise, and by far the most deserving of an origin story. The villain’s tragic beginnings and slow spiral into villainy mark him as one of Marvel’s most complex figures, and had it been executed with the appropriate level of care, X-Men Origins: Magneto could have communicated that complexity. Though it never came to pass, it’s not difficult to imagine the narrative potential of Magneto’s spin-off.
X-Men
The X-Men franchise, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, centers on mutants with extraordinary abilities. Led by the powerful telepath Professor Charles Xavier, they battle discrimination and villainous mutants threatening humanity. The series explores themes of diversity and acceptance through a blend of action, drama, and complex characters, spanning comics, animated series, and blockbuster films.
1 Arkham Asylum Would Have Explored The Most Interesting Aspect Of Matt Reeves’ Gotham
Spin-Off From: The Batman (2022)
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Upon the release of 2022’s The Batman, two spin-off series were announced. Arkham Asylum was set to explore the eponymous institution, which would have reportedly taken on more of a horror aspect, exploring the hospital in the manner of a haunted house. Though Matt Reeves’ ideas for the series were intriguing, the spin-off was eventually scrapped before it ever made it to production.
The planned series could have expanded upon one of the best aspects of The Batman: its dark and gritty depiction of Gotham’s society. A series exploring the dark history of Arkham and its place within Reeves’ Batman universe was a truly fascinating prospect, and it had the potential to introduce a whole new side of the director’s Gotham City. As it was canceled before being made, Arkham Asylum stands out as the most interesting spin-off from the MCU, the DCU, or beyond not to make it to the screen.
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10/10 The Batman
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*Availability in US Director Matt Reeves Release Date March 4, 2022