Yesterday rumors surfaced that DC and Warner Bros. are interested in producing a movie about a female team of super heroes led by Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Quinn seems like the highlight of Suicide Squad and she apparently hired a writer and pitched a treatment to the studio executives. I didn’t have a huge desire to see Batman v Superman, but I may have to find a way to get out of the house for Suicide Squad.
There has been an alarming dearth of female-led super hero movies. Wonder Woman is on its way in the DC Extended Universe and Marvel continues to assure us that Carol Danvers will have her time to shine in Captain Marvel. Black Widow is one of the most engaging characters in the MCU, yet she has been relegated to a supporting character. And yesterday Shane Black said that a female villain in Iron Man 3 was changed into a male to sell more toys.
Marvel comics are filled with compelling, strong and wonderful female characters. Hopefully as the MCU pushes beyond 13 movies, we’ll see greater representation of female super heroes. Here are some Marvel female super heroes who would headline amazing movies.
Spider-Woman
Jessica Drew, not to be confused with Ms. Jones, is one of Marvel’s most fascinating and complex characters. She is captured and brainwashed by Hydra, turning her into a super villain. She eventually gains her memory back and becomes an Avenger. A movie telling Spider-Woman’s origin, which isn’t well known, would be remarkably entertaining. Following her path from villain to hero would be something entirely different in the MCU. I’m not caught up with Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. so I don’t know the current status of Hydra; it or any other evil organization would fit the bill for Drew’s captors and brainwashers.
Ms. Marvel
Carol Danvers is coming to the MCU as Captain Marvel. Her former moniker, though, has fallen to a Muslim teenager: Kamala Khan. Khan is an Inhuman with shape shifting abilities. She adopts the name of Ms. Marvel, whom she idolizes. Khan is a teenager so Ms. Marvel’s adventures are more earthbound and less apocalyptic. Marvel finally brought us a younger version of Peter Parker to much success; perhaps it could find the same success with a teenage girl.
Silver Sable
Silver Sable isn’t one of Marvel’s most popular characters. She mostly interacts with Spider-Man and had her own comic during the 90s. She’s basically a mercenary who leads a team known as the Wild Pack. A Silver Sable movie could be a throwback to the action movies of the 80s: a team getting together to overthrow some dictator or save an oppressed people group. Silver Sable is a strong female hero and a great leader. She’s got some rough edges and doesn’t suffer fools; her abrasiveness could shake up the MCU.
I love the MCU and appreciate its strides to diversify. As a father of a daughter, though, I would love her to grow up in a world where female heroes aren’t pushed to the margins because some executive thinks they won’t sell toys. I’d be the first person in line to buy Clara a Spider-Woman action figure or a Black Widow tricycle.
What female super heroes would you like to see on the big screen?
I’d love to see Ms. Marvel done with Kamila Khan, and Marvel Studios might be brave enough to do it. On the other hand, they’ve also brought us a THIRD iteration of Peter Parker (as fun as he was, I really want Miles Morales onscreen)… so…
I’d also think a She-Hulk movie could be fun, especially with a cameo by Mark Ruffalo as “He-Hulk.” (But only a cameo – let Jennifer carry the film!)
And, if we ever get a Shazam movie (going back to DC for a moment), it should definitely include Mary Marvel as well as Billy.
(Does your new blog format allow for notification of follow-up comments by email? If so, I don’t see it. Thanks!)
I’m not sure.
Yeah, Miles would have been great but there was never any way Marvel wasn’t going to start with Peter Parker. A She-Hulk movie would be great, especially since she’s so different than the Hulk.