Holy box office, Batman! 10 superheroes who deserve their own film franchises

Everybody loves a man, or woman, in spandex. Superheroes have been gracing the big screen with their capes and criminal-catching charm since 1978, when Richard Donner’s Superman became a box office hit.

Just this year alone has seen films for Marvel Comic’s Thor and X-Men reach commercial success and June 17 marks the debut of DC Comics’ highly anticipated Green Lantern, complete with a heroically beautiful cast that includes the hunky charisma of admitted superhero buff Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively’s endless legs.

The expansive comic universe makes the possibilities for superhero films practically endless, and so while you await the critics’ verdict on Green Lantern, here are 10 other tights-and-capes guys and gals who are equally deserving of big-screen franchises.

THE FLASH, from DC Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
There have been four incarnations of The Flash in the comic world, but the original was Jay Garrick, a college student who obtained his super-speed powers from inhaling heavy water vapor.

The Flash is also a member of DC’s super-powered group the Justice League of America.

Pop culture Past:
The bright red-and-yellow body suit with the lightning-bolt ears is a familiar sight to many DC fans and has graced the small screen a handful of times thanks to animated series such as Justice League and Superman: The Animated Series .

Live-action appearances include a short-lived CBS show and CW’s now-retired Smallville , where the Scarlet Speedster was portrayed by Kyle Gallner under the name “Impulse.”

Dream Actor:
Bradley Cooper. Blonde, beautiful and no stranger to action movies, B-Coop would be the perfect Flash, having proved himself a worthy leading man in movies like The A-Team and Limitless .

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DOCTOR STRANGE, from Marvel Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
Stephen Strange is a neurosurgeon who, in search for a cure to his injured hands, winds up acquiring supernatural and mystical powers thanks to the teachings of the Ancient One.

He adopts the superhero name “Dr. Strange” and becomes fond of capes with elaborate collars and learns to harness magic to become the “Sorcerer Supreme.”

Pop Culture Past:
Dr. Strange has made countless appearances in the animated series of his fellow superheroes the X-Men and Spider-Man, but a 1978 made-for-TV movie was a flop and the film rights to a live-action blockbuster have been playing Hollywood hot potato since 1986.

Dream Actor:
Johnny Depp. No one does strange-but-lovable quite like Depp, whose already quirky collection of timeless characters makes him the best guy for the job. Plus, the mystical storyline of Dr. Strange could allow for another team-up with Depp’s director pal, the King of Kooky, Tim Burton.

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ZATANNA, from DC Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
The daughter of a famous magician, the sexy Zatanna Zatara, who discovers she’s a descendant of the magical Homo magi race, invests in some fishnet stockings and puts her spell-casting powers to use as a member of the Justice League.

Pop Culture Past:
Per usual for DC, Zatanna has made multiple guest appearances in animated media. She’s also made a notable impression on the small screen, however, thanks to an extended guest stint on Smallville, where she was played by Serinda Swan.

Dream Actor:
Olivia Wilde. Undeniably one of the most talented actresses out there, Wilde could bring her sexy smarts experience from her time on House, M.D. and continue her leading lady domination which began with December’s TRON: Legacy and will continue with this summer’s Cowboys & Aliens .

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AQUAMAN, from DC Comics

Origin and Superpowers:
In a tale that’s a little bit The Little Mermaid meets quintessential Californian surfer dude, DC’s marine hunk hails from the lost city of Atlantis and possess fishy powers such as being able to breathe underwater, communicate telepathically with animals, superhuman speed and strength in the water, and the ability to rock a permanent tan.

Pop Culture Past:
Aquaman has done the usual rounds of appearances on animated shows, but the CW passed on a live-action adaptation in 2006.

Dream Actor:
Justin Timberlake. Aquaman is often mocked as a sort of lamer version of other DC heroes, so the character could use JT’s suave talent and contagious sexiness. Plus, the former N*Sync-er has proven himself quite the movie star and headlining an action franchise could only boost his mass appeal.

DAREDEVIL, from Marvel Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
One of Marvel’s darker heroes, Daredevil seeks vengeance in New York City as blind attorney Matt Murdock by day and as an acrobatic crime-fighter with superhuman senses by night.

Pop Culture Past:
20th Century Fox released a motion picture version of Daredevil’s adventures in 2003, but even the star-power of Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner couldn’t muster up more than generally lukewarm reviews. Although the movie spawned a spin-off for Garner’s Elektra, the too-gritty, too-boring flick is better off erased from the minds of Marvel fans.

Dream Actor:
Donald Glover. A dumb-but-charming funnyman on NBC’s Community , Glover previously rallied for a role in Sony’s upcoming Spider-Man reboot, but ultimately lost to The Social Network‘s Andrew Garfield.

Glover’s hipster-coolness shouldn’t be ignored by the Marvel gods, though. His spot-on comedic timing and already established cult following could make him the perfect guy for a fantastic Daredevil reboot.

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MS. MARVEL, from Marvel Comics

Origin and Superpowers:
United States Air Force officer military gal Carol Danvers gets caught between an explosion and exposure to alien genetics that ultimately leaves her with the powers of superhuman strength, flight, and a precognitive “seventh sense.” She is essentially the female counterpart to the alien Captain Marvel, and can be classified as Marvel’s version of Supergirl.

Pop Culture Past:
Ms. Marvel’s list of media appearances is surprisingly small, limited to a few animated shows and multi-player video games.

Dream Actor:
Blake Lively. Green Lantern co-star Ryan Reynolds has already proven that it’s possible to satisfy both sides of the comic book world, as he is also signed on to reprise his X-Men Origins: Wolverine role as Marvel’s merc-with-a-mouth Deadpool in an upcoming film.

Lively could do the same, and she really should, because there’s no one else in Hollywood who possesses the shiny locks, lithe physique (Ms. Marvel’s costume of choice includes a black leotard, a red sash and not much else) and surprisingly volatile acting skill.

BLACK PANTHER, from Marvel Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
A king of the Panther Tribe from Wakanda and also one of the first mainstream African-American superheroes, T’Challa’s powers derive from his inner Wakandan panther god and include acute senses, superhuman strength, speed, and increased agility.

Pop Culture Past:
Black Panther’s pop culture presence is restricted to mostly animated television shows, although the character has starred in two direct-to-DVD films. Blade actor Wesley Snipes has expressed interest in creating a feature film, but the project has remained in limbo since 1992, the latest development occurring in 2011, when Marvel reportedly hired Mark Bailey to pen a script.

Dream Actor:
No offense to Wesley Snipes, but Isaiah Mustafa, aka the Old Spice Guy, would be the perfect Black Panther. Mustafa has slowly but surely built up his acting career with guest spots on various televisions shows in 2010 and 2011, and has even gotten his superhero franchise feet wet.

Marvel recently debuted a web short that stars Mustafa as Luke Cage. Which is cool and all, but seeing him in Black Panther’s skin-tight cat suit probably wouldn’t hurt, either.

IRON FIST, from Marvel Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
It’s another wealthy-good-looking-guy-turned-superhero story, this time the wealthy good-looking guy being Daniel Rand, and the superhero aspect being the secret city of K’un-L’un, a mystical place where everyone is really fond of martial arts.

Star-student Daniel becomes a modern hero in a long line of men who have donned the powers and garb of the Iron Fist.

Pop Culture Past:
Also one of Marvel’s relatively unknown superheroes, Iron Fist’s biggest impact has stayed within the paper boundaries of the comic book world. A few television spots and playable characters in video games makes this modern ninja ripe for the blockbuster movie pickings.

Dream Actor:
Glee ‘s Chris Colfer. The dude has already made Kurt Hummel a household name, sold two screenplays to the Disney Channel and recently inked a young adult book deal. He’s practically a superhero already, so why not add a film franchise and make his world domination official?

GREEN ARROW, from DC Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
Oliver Queen is a billionaire who fights crime in the fictional Star City as Robin Hood-esque Green Arrow. He’s the practical type of superhero, void of any alien-influenced superpowers and instead relies on his excellent archery skills.

Pop Culture Past:
Animated features aside, Green Arrow owes a lot of buzz to Justin Hartley’s multi-season role on Smallville . What started out as a season six guest stint eventually landed Hartley a main-actor title and a contract for the remaining five seasons of the CW’s juggernaut.

Dream Actor:
While Hartley did a fine job, the role of Green Arrow should go to someone like The Social Network ‘s Armie Hammer. He’s got the looks, the deep, heroic voice and, after starring roles in the upcoming Snow White and The Lone Ranger , he’ll have the star power.

WONDER WOMAN, from DC Comics.

Origin and Superpowers:
DC’s leading lady’s story is familiar to most, but she’s been unfortunately void of a truly successful pop culture presence. Diana of Themyscira is a Princess of the Amazons and regularly helps the Justice League kick butt with her superhuman strength, speed, the ability of flight.

Wonder Woman not only rocks a red-white-and-blue onesie, but is also rarely seen without her Lasso of Truth, indestructible bracelets and invisible plane.

Pop Culture Past:
Wonder Woman is not only one of the most famous female superheroes but also serves as a symbol of feminism and is no stranger to pop culture. She’s made appearances in countless animated movies and television shows, plus just about every video game DC has made that concerns the Justice League.

Her biggest claim to fame was a three-season television series that aired from 1975 to 1979 and starred Lynda Carter as the well-endowed super heroine. Wonder Woman’s star power has significantly diminished since the early ‘80s, however, and a feature film seems to be constantly “in the works.”

All kinds of names have been thrown into the mix, from The Avengers director Joss Whedon, to Angelina Jolie and Megan Fox.

Recently, NBC passed on a much-hyped television pilot starring Adrianne Palicki and some questionable costume choices.

Dream Actor:
At this point, Wonder Woman loyalists are likely to be happy just to see some sort of project be completed. Sandra Bullock tops my Most Wanted list, however, because America’s Sweetheart could bring a fresh comedic tone to a decidedly well-worn idea.