10 DC Stories Perfect for R-Rated DCU Projects

The new DC Universe will be arriving in late 2024, with the new cinematic and television franchise just a few weeks away. While many projects are at least announced, there are several coming down the pipeline that have yet to be solidified. At the same time, DC Studios CEO James Gunn has now confirmed that numerous R-rated DCU projects will be created, so darker DC works are certain to hit the big screen soon.

The DC Universe has several potential comic book storylines that it can adapt into more mature films, with many of these being based around somewhat obscure characters. Likewise, one upcoming TV show could lead into one of DC’s more horrifying crossovers ever. This all depends on just how deep the DCU goes in adapting the publisher’s catalog of characters and concepts, but in terms of R-rated material, there’s more than enough.

10 Hawkworld Can Finally Adapt One of DC’s Most Underrated Heroes

The Thanagarian Hawkman Rarely Gets Adapted

Eventually launching an ongoing series of the same title, Hawkworld was the post-Crisis on Infinite Earths origin story for Hawkman and Hawkwoman. In particular, it was an updated origin for their Silver Age incarnations, which were the Thanagarian space police known as Katar Hol and Shayera Thal. Their world was far from a silly Silver Age realm of Atomic Age sci-fi wonder, however, and the series as a whole was much more reflective of the grim trends of the era.

Hawkworld was a dark sci-fi story involving corruption, addiction and class warfare, and it’s perfect for a potentially R-rated movie adaptation. The cinematic world needs more hard-edged science fiction, and Hawkworld could deliver it on the wings of a character that might otherwise be portrayed in an arguably silly light. Best of all, using the Katar Hol Hawkman would separate the DCU from other adaptations of the hero, which have all been based on the Golden Age Carter Hall version.

9 Blackest Night Can Continue a Story That Begins in Lanterns

The DCU TV Show Can Launch Into the Zombie Movie

One story that will require a strong and developed DC Universe is that of Blackest Night. The story featured the rise of the zombie Black Lantern Corps, with the rings of this group empowering the dead heroes and villains of DC Comics. Numerous characters who had been gone for years rose again in the form of Black Lanterns, and some of DC’s heroes had to face their most tragic failures in the form of these distorted corpses.

The DC Universe will have to be around for a few years before it can adapt Blackest Night, but due to the gruesome nature of the story, it might need to be R-rated. Thankfully, the seeds are already being sown by way of the TV series Lanterns, which will build up the Green Lantern Corps in the DC Universe. Hopefully, this paves the way for future crossovers such as a Blackest Night movie in the new DCU, all the while helping to fix the perception of the Green Lantern character following the infamous 2011 Green Lantern movie.

8 WildC.A.T.s is the Most Logical Wildstorm Adaptation

The Wildstorm-Based Movie Can Be a Darker Kind of Superhero Film

An adaptation of The Authority is already announced, and it’s clear from this and characters in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman reboot that Wildstorm characters will be a part of the new DCU. It’s highly likely that The Authority will probably be rated R, and the same could also be the case for a movie based on another Wildstorm property. The premiere team in the original Wildstorm Universe, WildC.A.T.s was emblematic of the former publisher’s 1990s fare.

A WildC.A.T.s movie could essentially be a grimmer take on the Fox X-Men film series, combining gritty action with dark conspiracies about ancient aliens. The group isn’t at all like a team such as the Avengers or the Justice League, and if the latter can get an R-rated movie by way of Zack Snyder, the WildC.A.T.s definitely deserve one. Likewise, introducing the ‘C.A.T.s can help define the Wildstorm properties in the DCU and separate them from more traditional DC heroes.

7 The Atlantis Chronicles Should Be an Underwater Game of Thrones

An Adaptation Can Lead Into the DCU Aquaman’s Introduction

The Atlantis Chronicles was a sort of prequel to Peter David’s Aquaman run, and it built upon the underwater hero’s new origin story. It showcased how DC’s Atlantis originally sank into the sea and how its society changed dramatically. Dripping in epic fantasy, it told the legendary story of how a prophecy concerning feuding brothers would always doom the kingdom.

The Atlantis Chronicles wasn’t at all a superhero story, but it was still firmly entrenched in the DC Universe. Adapting the story’s mix of political and fantasy elements would be a good way to make The Atlantis Chronicles into a cinematic Game of Thrones. Likewise, it could be used to segue into the introduction of the DCU Aquaman, namely since the hero will no longer be played by Jason Momoa on the big screen.

6 Azrael Can Be a Dark Member of the Batman Family

The Hero Can Be Different from Others Tied to The Dark Knight

The Batman Family will seemingly be adapted in the DCU, with Batman already having his son Damian Wayne as Robin. Thus, there’s a chance that several other iconic characters and story developments have already been introduced. One of these could be Azrael, a character who infamously replaced Bruce Wayne as The Dark Knight after Bane broke Batman’s back. Azrael has his own dark backstory, and it’s perfect for a dark DCU film.

Azrael’s origins could be done justice on the big screen, finally showcasing his background in a cult while giving the antihero a major adaptation. This could possibly tie into a live-action Knightfall movie, but the events of that story have likely already happened in the DCU. If nothing else, it can expand the Batman Family and finally put it in live-action, all while giving its darkest member the spotlight.

5 Black Orchid Is One of DC’s Most Underrated Heroines

The Character’s 1980s Comic Is Perfect for the DCU

Usually overshadowed by Swamp Thing and Poison Ivy, Black Orchid is a different kind of “plant person.” A veritable mistress of disguise, her origins were given a similar makeover to Swamp Thing’s iconic “anatomy lesson.” This 1980s story by Neil Gaiman could work very well as a darker DCU movie. Given that the character is somewhat obscure, Black Orchid would be good for a more low-budget psychological horror film.

A Black Orchid movie could be nominally in the DCU while also being standalone, allowing it to focus on its heroine in a way that doesn’t need to tie into the broader shared universe. It can also be a fairly grim and esoteric story, experimenting with the superhero movie format. That kind of experimentation will keep the DC Universe alive and ensure that it’s not just a mere clone of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

4 Animal Man Can Put a Family Man In a Brutal Horror Story

Buddy Baker’s New 52 Run Is Perfect for a Movie

Animal Man was once an obscure hero, and while he’s far from mainstream, he’s had several beloved comics in the past decade. This trend began with an acclaimed run by Grant Morrison, and the New 52 Animal Man comics were perhaps even better. Telling the story of a former stuntman suburban dad who became a superhero, Animal Man’s comic book series showcased the darker side of the DC Universe.

Tying into the Red (the animal equivalent of Swamp Thing’s Green), these comics were full of body horror and slasher thrills. Adapting this story into a sort of superhero horror movie with esoteric psychological elements is automatically an idea that would sell well on the big screen. Most importantly, the dark story would have a loving family at its core, keeping the grim elements tied to strong character development.

3 Swamp Thing Will Likely Be Rated R

The James Mangold Project Is a Horror Film in the Making

One of the first projects announced for the DC Universe is the upcoming Swamp Thing, which is going to be directed by James Mangold. There’s not a lot that’s been revealed in terms of its narrative direction, but the Alan Moore run on Saga of the Swamp Thing will likely be the basis. If that’s the case, an R rating like that of the 1980s Swamp Thing film is almost guaranteed.

Due to the horror nature of the character and the sometimes gruesome body horror involved with him and his villains, the Swamp Thing movie is almost guaranteed to be rated R. Likewise, Mangold’s words so far almost confirm a Gothic horror tone and scope. Given the success of the horror genre, especially in its more experimental forms, the Swamp Thing film will likely be a major hit that clings further to mature horror scares than mainstream superhero films.

2 Sandman Mystery Theatre Is Prime for the Perfect DC Period Piece

The Big Screen Can’t Escape the Sandman’s Dark Dream

Though it was also released under DC Comics’ Vertigo imprint, Sandman Mystery Theatre was largely unrelated to Neil Gaiman’s The Sandman. Instead, it was a reimagining of Wesley Dodds, the Golden Age Sandman who operated in the 1930s and 1940s. Set before the hero joined the Justice Society of America, the series showcased the grim reality of the “good ol’ days,” dealing with various historical and social topics amid a truly grim setting.

Sandman Mystery Theatre would work on the big screen as an R-rated DCU movie for a lot of reasons, but its unique historical setting and adult take on noir elements would be chief among them. It can showcase that the pre-World War II era wasn’t exactly sunshine and roses, all the while putting one of DC’s best street-level heroes on the big screen. Most importantly, adapting it into a movie can introduce one of the key Golden Age JSA members, tying into the DCU’s sense of legacy.

1 Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Was the Emerald Archer’s Finest Hour

The Series Could Finally Be Done Justice After Arrow

Though the hero was obviously a big part of The CW’s shared Arrowverse, Green Arrow was never officially seen or introduced in the DC Extended Universe. That’s likely to change in the DCU, and the hero can stand out from previous adaptations by showcasing how he’s a better, more fitting street-level hero than Batman. Adapting Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters to the big screen can utilize one of the hero’s best stories, all while capturing the gritty tone that Arrow tried but largely failed to use.

The Longbow Hunters was already cinematic in its storytelling, and it very much felt like a 1980s action movie crossed with a political mystery. Thus, putting it onto the big screen shouldn’t be too difficult, especially if the story’s brief focus on Green Arrow’s origin is kept. This would be the best way to establish his history in the DCU, all while setting him up for perhaps a TV series that further adapts Mike Grell’s time on the hero’s book.