Super hero movies: we all love them, we all watch ‘em. However, there are some films out there either so awful, or so unsuccessful that they failed to so much as launch a sequel. Yes, we’re well aware that Batman and Robin and Spider-man 3 should be on this list, but we’re talking about films which killed a franchise’s future well before it even had a chance to begin. These are our picks, but we’re open to more suggestions.
Daredevil (2003)
Fan purists originally took issue with the depiction of Wilson Fisk as African American. To the contrary, Clarke Duncan’s performance was bearable compared to the rest of the movie. Ben Affleck’s skirmish with Jennifer Gartner only scratches the surface of how dumb this movie was.
Elektra (2005)
We don’t know what Marvel’s been drinking. Whatever made them believe that a failed super hero adaptation would spawn a successful spin-off is beyond us. It’s no surprise that this left any hopes for a Daredevil reboot in development hell.
The Punisher (1989, 2004, 2008)
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me thrice, shame on everyone. Marvel has attempted to reboot the Punisher franchise several times after it’s first failed attempt in 1989. There are suggestions that another film is still in the works in spite of this.
The Guyver (1991)
Here’s an idea: let’s take the most ultra-violent anime of the 1980s and adapt it into a campy slapstick. The sequel was an improvement with “Solid Snake” replacing the lead, but that’s not saying a lot.
Captain America (1990)
Mention to someone that they already made a Captain America movie and they’ll ask why they haven’t heard of it. Now show it to them and they’ll understand why. We predict that J.D. Salinger disowned his son for his “phony” portrayal of the star-spangled hero.
Spawn (1997)
Critics bashed it for its over reliance on special effects to captivate audiences. We’ll admit that the action was cutting edge for its time, but Malebolgia’s appearance was awfully rendered even for the 90s. The movie was a modest box office success, but not enough to warrant a sequel.
Judge Dredd (1995)
Both a critical and box office disaster, Judge Dredd was merely a skeleton of its source material. Never mind that it was as ambitious as a presidential candidate, but had the direction of a high school play. What we want to know is why Dredd didn’t have his trademark helmet throughout most of the film.
Supergirl (1984)
Again with the spin-offs. Admittedly, Helen Slater was cute enough to play Kara, but unfortunately her personality was about as three-dimensional as a piece of paper.
August 4, 2010
#1
Honestly, these movies are masterpieces compared to The Last Airbender. I know, it isn’t a super hero movie, but if we’re talking about failed adaptations then The Last Airbender should be on every list from now until something worse comes along, which I doubt there can be anything worse.
August 4, 2010
#2
Judge Dredd is a classic movie. Spawn and the Punisher 2004 were ok. The rest blew my cock into a vagina
August 4, 2010
#3
Hey, I liked Supergirl.
But then again, I’m unemployed.
August 4, 2010
#4
Actually, I liked Punisher 2004 and 2008. I thought they were good action movies – 2008 a better action movie than 2004.
August 5, 2010
#5
I think Daredevil wasn’t a bad film per se, the real problem is the theatrical cut which was pretty poor, the extended cut of Daredevil really improved things, I think the fault lies with Fox. The Kingpin is pointless in the theatrical cut as you get no feeling of menace, it’s just some shifty guy in a suit, but technically not evil in anyway, the theatrical cut actually shows him killing people and doing stuff that bad guys do which improves things considerably, some of the additional court scenes with Matt Murdoch again really help in building character, and the Directors Cut actually removed the dumb love scenes which just didn’t work in the theatre.
The Director’s Cut of Daredevil is a totally different film, just look at some of the reviews online with respected sites like Empire giving that version 4 out of 5.
August 5, 2010
#6
thomas jane punisher was awful and completely missed the point of punisher. punisher wasnt a pretty boy looking to make friends with misfits. i havent seen warzone though and i dont remember lundgren’s punisher.
daredevil, judge dredd and spawn weren’t that bad.
ang lee’s hulk should’ve been included.
August 5, 2010
#7
I think JD Salinger’s son committed suicide a couple of years after Captain America. Thought it’d be his ticket to Hollywood’s A-list.
September 20, 2010
#8
Is this true?
August 8, 2010
#9
here are some of the best comic adaptations according to members at Rankography:
http://www.rankography.com/movies/component/user/?task=otherusers&mode=list&catid=46&uid=72
August 30, 2010
#10
I thought the 2004 Punisher was fun to watch, regardless of any technical errors. It reminded me more of th Punisher MAX series than anything else.
August 30, 2010
#11
^*the
I hate having a cast >.<
September 20, 2010
#12
Sorry, but not everybody hates Supergirl: The Movie-a lot of people are fans of it, and think that it’s the cat’s meow (check out the user comments on IMDB!) and the extended director’s cut actually reedeems it in many people’s eyes. Find something else to hate.