10 Amazing Comic Book Characters That Narrowly Missed Appearing In Movies
7. Martian Manhunter
After glimpsing Zack Snyder’s vision for the Justice League, more than ever a lot of fans are now wishing that George Miller’s ill-fated Justice League: Mortal had actually gotten made. But more than anyone, one specific character was dealt a huge blow by Mortal’s cancellation.
Martian Manhunter was a staple of the Justice League for decades and Immortan Joe actor Hugh Keays-Byrne was all ready to play him in this adaptation. The cast was already out in Australia, ready to film, but the combination of the Writer's Strike and the country reneging on its tax incentives led to the film being cancelled just before it could get off the ground.
After Mortal was canned, the character underwent some serious turmoil on the comics side of things. Despite being a fan favourite, in recent years Martian Manhunter has been effectively replaced in the Justice League by Cyborg. Seemingly in the name of diversity, Martian Manunter’s founding role in the League has been retconned and the movies are following suit.
Furthermore, the character’s prominent role on Supergirl may mean that DC has no plans for him on film. For a character who was very nearly a major player in a massive film, to now be so inconsequential to DC is definitely upsetting.