4. Hancock (2008)
Admittedly, Hancock had a lot of potential that it eventually wasted. When I think of films that disappointed me off the top of my head, this one almost always pops up. By itself, its an ok film. Underneath, however, it had so much going for it in terms of the potential themes it couldve explored and story lines it couldve pursued. For anyone who has had the free time to read the original script of the movie, they wouldve seen that it had a much darker tone. The titular Hancock came off as a much more loathsome and rude character. His growth into the true superhero wouldve been the driving force of the potential TV show, and can pave the way for many scenes of action and displays of awesome power. Instead, we got a watered down superhero flick with a flimsy plot and Will Smith being Will Smith who can fly. The plot point of a regular man teaching a superhero how to be a noble savior was an interesting and loaded subject the movie never really delved deep into. This is the heart of the show, the message it wants to get to the viewers. The skeleton of the show is the various heroics Hancock can get himself into, whether its stopping a runaway train or foiling a bank robbery. The meat of the show is its back story. The origins of Hancock and Charlize Therons equally super powered character are ripe with potential arcs. Where did they come from? What exactly are they? Theyve been on Earth for awhile so surely they would have made several enemies along the way. To round it out the organs can be the various villains and allies that every superhero show needs. Okay, Ill stop with the body analogy now. A show with a premise like Hancock would have so much wiggle room going forwards with the story and backwards with the back story that this can easily last five seasons if done correctly and with care. It did fairly well with the box office, so maybe if wouldve had a lot of success with the Nielsen ratings as well.