10 Superhero Movies We Want 2025 To Rescue From Development Hell

There are many superhero movies in the MCU, the DCU, and beyond that 2025 will hopefully see rescued from development hell. Though the movies of the MCU have brought the superhero genre to the forefront of society’s cinematic consciousness, not all comic book movies come to life exactly as planned. Big budgets mean high stakes, and this can often lead to turbulent productions on superhero movies, with writers, directors, actors, producers, and studios all playing a major part in getting a movie made.

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Throughout the history of the movie timeline of the DCEU and the MCU, this has seen many movies enter the dreaded realms of development hell. Once a movie’s production stalls, it can often prove incredibly difficult and costly to get things back on track. However, it can be achieved, and can sometimes lead to considerable success salvaged from a difficult production. With that in mind, here are 10 movies we hope 2025 can rescue from development hell.

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10

JJ Abrams’ Superman

First announced in: February 2021

As soon as the movies of the DCEU ran into trouble, many ideas surrounding DC adaptations were floated, seemingly with the intention of rescuing the ill-fated franchise. One such movie came about after the difficulties in making Man of Steel 2, with JJ Abrams proposing a new spin on more traditional adaptations of Superman. Abrams announced his intention to make a Superman movie with a Black actor cast in the lead role, with Michael B. Jordan considered a favorite for the part.

However, very little has been stated about the movie in the years since these initial announcements. That said, it appears Abrams’ idea could yet bear fruit, as James Gunn confirmed in January 2024 that the project was still in development. Whether 2025 will see further announcements regarding a Black Superman movie remains to be seen, but it would be an interesting way to re-examine the iconic hero’s story in the modern era.

9

Spider-Man 4

First announced in: March 2007

As Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies helped usher in a new age of superhero blockbusters, the reverence with which they are regarded is unsurprising. The trilogy of films was originally set to continue, however, with plans for a fourth movie and beyond announced even ahead of the release of Spider-Man 3. The third movie’s underwhelming reception put those plans on hold, with Spider-Man 4 entering development hell.

Tobey Maguire’s return in Spider-Man: No Way Home’s cast rekindled audiences’ desire to see more of Raimi’s continuity, refreshing calls for the director to continue his franchise. As recently as 2022, Raimi has hinted that the movie could potentially still be made, though offered a non-committal indication that it was not in active development. Even so, 2025 could be the year that Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 4 finally makes its way out of development hell.

8

The MCU’s Nova

First announced in: March 2022

Despite being one of Marvel’s most powerful and prominent heroes, Nova has yet to make a genuine appearance in the MCU. His arrival was subtly teased in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which introduced Xandar and featured the Nova Corps, but the hero himself has not appeared. However, Marvel did announce in 2022 that a Nova project was in development, but these plans then stalled with no updates offered since.

Other than an announcement that Moon Knight writer Sabir Pirzada was hired to pen the MCU’s Nova, and that Ed Bernero would serve as showrunner, news on Nova has been all but nonexistent. Considering the character’s importance within the wider Marvel Universe and the fact that Nova has yet to be adapted into live-action, his absence from the MCU has since grown increasingly conspicuous. Hopefully, 2025 will see Nova work its way out of its apparent production difficulties.

7

The Sinister Six

First announced in: December 2013

The Sinister Six are one of Marvel’s best-known villain teams, and a movie adaption of a Sinister Six story has long been teased. 2013 even saw such a film announced ahead of The Amazing Spider-Man 2’s release, with the movie directly setting up a spin-off involving the apparent formation of the team of Spider-Man villains. As it happened, the planned movie was later put on hold, and has yet to materialize in any real way.

Though it was first teased as part of The Amazing Spider-Man‘s continuity, the movies of Sony’s Spider-Man Universe later teased a revised Sinister Six line-up including Morbius and the Vulture. With that franchise having since come to an end, it’s not clear exactly where or when a Sinister Six movie might be made. Even so, there’s a possibility that 2025 could be the year that an update is finally offered, with these major franchise changes possibly helping pave the way.

6

Nightwing

First announced in: February 2017

Though Nightwing typically exists in the shadow of his mentor, Batman, he has become a hugely popular hero in his own right. The success and popularity of Nightwing in the comics speaks for itself, and Warner Bros. indicated their willingness to make a solo movie based on the character as part of the DCEU. It was first announced in early 2017, ahead of the release of Justice League.

Despite Chris McKay and Bill Dubuque being attached as director and screenwriter, respectively, the movie never made it past early development. In 2021, it was put on hold, and then canceled in 2023. However, considering the final draft of the script was reportedly nearly finished, it’s entirely possible that the Nightwing movie might be revived in 2025 as part of the newly-formed DCU, salvaging something from its years in development hell.

5

The Amazing Spider-Man 3

First announced in: June 2013

There are many unmade movies following Spider-Man and his related characters, but few have received such overwhelming and vocal support as The Amazing Spider-Man 3. Mixed reviews for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 saw the announced sequel put on hold and later scrapped, with the hero then appearing in the MCU after Sony and Marvel reached an agreement on rights to the character. Andrew Garfield’s return to the role in Spider-Man: No Way Home renewed calls for his sequel to be made.

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Interestingly, the specifics surrounding the production of The Amazing Spider-Man 3 were not made fully public. This leads many to believe that the film is still stuck in development hell, but that Sony may yet intend to make another Spider-Man movie with Andrew Garfield’s iteration of the hero. Considering the general support for his return, hopefully 2025 will be the year the movie emerges triumphant from its long-standing development woes.

4

A New Hulk Solo Movie

First announced in: June 2008

Though Hulk’s MCU story has given the character many memorable moments, he has still only had a single solo movie in the franchise. Even before the release of 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, a sequel was teased by both its director and star, with Edward Norton contracted to reprise the role within the franchise. However, the mixed reactions to the movie and subsequent contractual issues between Norton and Marvel sent any potential sequel spiraling into development hell.

In the years since, rights issues surrounding the character have prevented further solo movies, and various other factors have prevented the once-planned sequel from being made. Considering Hulk’s continued popularity with MCU fans, it would certainly seem as good a time as any to consider revisiting the idea of another solo movie. Doing so would both revive The Incredible Hulk sequel from development hell and finally give Hulk the attention he deserves within the MCU.

3

Channing Tatum’s Gambit Movie

First announced in: January 2014

One of the most promising superhero movies to be trapped in development hell was given a huge boost in 2024, making it all the more likely that 2025 could see it revived. After years of attempting to bring Gambit to life in live-action, the character’s debut in X-Men Origins: Wolverine was met with a largely negative reception. This led to a new plan for a Channing Tatum-led Gambit solo movie, with many championing his casting as a perfect choice.

Sadly, Tatum’s Gambit movie notoriously entered development hell and its promise seemed destined to go unfulfilled. However, Tatum’s appearance as Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine’s cast came as an unexpected boost to the chances of a solo movie. Considering the success of Deadpool & Wolverine and the popularity of its Multiversal variants, it’s more likely than ever that Tatum’s Gambit movie might finally get made after so many years.

2

Dredd 2

First announced in: July 2012

Whether a sequel to 2012’s Dredd ever officially entered production isn’t clear, but writer Alex Garland publicly announced his plans to write several follow-ups shortly before its release. The movie’s lack of financial success put any such plans on hold, though its cult status and continued popularity has seen a consistent push for a sequel endure for over a decade. Though Dredd 2 might not seem all that likely, it’s not impossible that 2025 might see an update finally offered.

The sequel plans were later reworked into a TV series continuation of the movie’s story with Karl Urban reprising his role, but this too has spent years languishing in development hell. Considering the relatively modest budget of the 2012 movie, the continued calls for a follow-up don’t seem entirely impossible, and the character’s persistent pop culture importance may also play a part. With any luck, Dredd 2 might finally make it out of development hell in 2025.

1

The MCU’s Blade

First announced in: May 2013

In what may well be the most public and notorious case of development hell for an MCU movie, the franchise’s adaptation of Blade remains unmade. Despite being officially announced back in 2013, the film has yet to come to fruition within the MCU. Though updates in recent years have made its release seem far more likely, consistent setbacks have confirmed that the turbulent nature of its production persists after more than a decade in development.

Despite Mahershala Ali having been cast and briefly appearing in an MCU cameo, Blade’s release date was repeatedly pushed back. 2024 saw the movie removed from the MCU’s release slate entirely, evidencing continued issues with finishing the film. Considering Blade is the longest-running movie in active development in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s likely that 2025 could finally see it break free from development hell.

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