If DCEU producer Charles Roven gets his way, fans could see a Martian Manhunter film in the near future. While Marvel Studios generally sticks to a specific plan when it comes to their films, the DCEU has taken a more fluid approach. Films that once seemed guaranteed, like Man of Steel 2, The Flash, and The Batman are all up in their air on one level or another. Meanwhile, almost a dozen other films are in development with no word on when fans might see them.
The likelihood of future DCEU films is also constantly in question due to the poor critical reception the films have received. Wonder Woman’s success earlier this year looked to change that, but Justice League has put upcoming films in question. Though projected for a solid opening, the numbers are much lower than many hoped. At the same time, Justice League has only 43% on Rotten Tomatoes, a far cry from the 92% Wonder Woman enjoys. Still, the minds behind the DCEU haven’t stopped thinking about the future of their characters.
CBR spoke with Roven about the upcoming slate of DCEU films, and asked if there was a particular character he would like to see on the big screen. As it turns out, his answer is one many fans will be happy to hear:
Martian Manhunter has long been one of the core members of the Justice League in the comics and across animation. The New 52, however, changed that by swapping him out for former Teen Titan Cyborg. With the DCEU taking cues from the more recent comics, Justice League has followed suit and brought Cyborg onboard. Likely, Warner Bros. and DC wanted to keep Superman as the sole alien in the group. That could soon change, however.
“I wouldn’t necessarily say that I would rather do that character, because we know that there is going to be a Flash movie, we know that Aquaman is being done, I think that Cyborg deserves his own movie too, and I know that the fans are out there screaming for Green Lantern, that’s for sure. But I was always a fan of J’onn J’onzz, Manhunter from Mars.”
The original marketing for Justice League was done under the ‘Unite the Seven’ banner. While it’s unclear who the seventh member was, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter seemed the most likely. While Roven’s wish doesn’t denote a film in the works, it’s still encouraging to hear him namedrop J’onn J’onzz. The Martian is already a key part of the Arrowverse thanks to his role in Supergirl, so he wouldn’t be a tough sell for audiences - especially if the Justice League sequel introduced him first.
Hopefully, once the dust settles from Justice League, the future of the DCEU in general - including, the possibility of a Martian Manhunter film - will be easier to determine.
MORE: Read Screen Rant’s Justice League Review
Source: CBR
- Wonder Woman 2 Release Date: 2020-12-25 Aquaman Release Date: 2018-12-21 Justice League Release Date: 2017-11-17 Shazam! Release Date: 2019-04-05