Summary
The DCEU was the first attempt at a cinematic universe involving the iconic DC heroes and villains, but the universe has since been retired afterAquaman and the Lost Kingdom(2023) in favor of a much-needed reboot beginning with James Gunn’sSupermanreleasing on 14 May 2025. With the DCEU now buried, it’s time to look at some of the characters featured and see which of them deserved better.
The DCEU didn’t have the most successful go at a cinematic universe, and plenty of characters either didn’t deserve the fate they received, or deserved better from what was seen of them. After all, many of these characters were not fleshed out, or they deserved further exploration in sequels that never happened.
6Batman
A Murderous Dark Knight Late Into His Career Who Needed A Solo Movie
There was immense potential for Ben Affleck as a mature and grizzled Batman, and he deserves credit for putting in the work with the role. He looked the part, and at times, felt the part, yet there was one obvious flaw with the character: Batman kills. The golden rule of Batman is to have the character rise above what makes a criminal and have him not kill. This led to some complicating contradictions in his motivations throughout the DCEU.
On top of his murderous attitude, Batman really didn’t get the solo movie he needed to thrive. Audiences weren’t treated to a Batman in his prime, or one dark enough to warrant his own story ina hopeless Gotham Citythat made him the way he is. Instead, fans last saw Batman in a cameo, only to never be seen again with a rebooted version and universe.
5Superman
A Man Of Steel Who Never Flourished Into The Man Of Tomorrow
The birth of the DCEU coincided with the birth of Superman, bringing forth a new direction for the iconic character by providing audiences with a modern and serious telling of his origin.Man of Steeldid a great job at ushering in a new mythic perception of Superman, but it also began the journey that made Superman feel less like a friend, and more like a mosaic figure, a trend that continued in sequels until the character was killed too early into his career to be resurrected a movie later.
Henry Cavill had a great passion for Superman, and it was clear that he was striving for the direction of the ultimate hero. Unfortunately, a rebooted DC meant a lack of Henry Cavill’s Superman, and the last he was seen wasas a cameo sequel-baitforBlack Adam, as well as in a few faceless or CGI-clustered references, proving that Henry Cavill’s Superman deserved better treatment.
4Polka-Dot Man
A Villain Who Is Killed As Soon As He Finds Heroic Courage
Polka-Dot Man was the butt of many jokes inThe Suicide Squad, and his self-deprecated humor also underlined his suicidal tendencies caused by the tragic past he had. Polka-Dot Man was thevictim of his mother’s experiments, which now makes him expel weaponized polka-dots from his body.
Whilst Polka-Dot Man began his career as a criminal, and soon became miserable and cowardly, his mission with Task Force X to defeat Starro made him see himself as a superhero. A new leaf could have been made, but unfortunately, Polka-Dot Man was killed instantly by Starro for a quick gag, leaving a potential new redeemed hero as red paste on cement.
3Supergirl
Superman’s Cousin Who Exists Only In A Time Loop For Being Killed
Supergirl hadn’t been seen on the silver screen since her own critically failed movie in 1984, which is why when a variant of Supergirl appeared inThe Flash, fans could cheer for the potential of Kal-El’s cousin to usher and bright age of Kryptonian heroes to Earth. Unfortunately, Supergirl’s role is merely reduced to a Superman replacement, and she’s used in the movie to merely die on repeat in a multitude of different ways.
Sasha Calle did a great job as Supergirl, but she’s stranded in a universe where her cousin was killed as a baby, and shefights General Zodon repeat, dying every single time, all because of Barry Allen’s time shenanigans. With a fresh reboot with Milly Alcock now the face of Supergirl, it’s a shame to see Sasha Calle not get her time in the sun.
2Deathstroke
The Terminator Who Was Used As A Teaser For Something That Never Came
The potential villain for Ben Affleck’s Batman’s solo film, Deathstroke appeared twice in two differentJustice Leaguemovies. Both of them teased his potential as a Batman villain, where he uncovers the true identity of Batman thanks to Lex Luthor. To have Deathstroke the Terminator hold a grudge against Batman is something many fans would have liked to see, but it seems it’s forever meant to be a dream now.
Joe Manganiello clearly has a lot of passion for Deathstroke, and he definitely looks the part. The potential for the fights of martial arts experts of Batman and Deathstroke would have been epic, and even if Deathstroke appeared in the Knightmare timeline post-Zack Snyder’s Justice League, there would have been some great moments that would never happen.
1Cyborg
The Only Justice League Member Not To Recieve Further Exploration
At theheart of the Justice Leaguewas Cyborg, who had his role significantly altered in the 2017 cut, where he mainly played the role of a Deus ex machina. InZack Snyder’s Justice League, Cyborg had far more soul, and his origins and grief for his human life are put in the center of the movie, showcasing his feelings and his potential as a hero throughout the 4-hour runtime.
Unfortunately, Cyborg never made it pastZack Snyder’s Justice League, and Ray Fisher’s Cyborg was the only member of this Justice League roster to not receive further exploration or a solo film. Cyborg deserved better from the DCEU, especially when he could have ushered in so much.
