The Worst Performances in DC Movies

Some standout acting performances from recent cinema history are found in films adapted from DC Comics stories. For instance, Jack Nicholson and Michael Keaton captivated audiences as the Joker and Batman respectively, dancing with the devil under a ghostly moonlight in Tim Burton’s Batman. Similarly, Christopher Reeve delivered an unforgettable portrayal of Superman, convincing us that a man could fly across multiple films in the 1970s and ’80s. Lastly, Michelle Pfeiffer left an indelible mark as Catwoman in Batman Returns.

In recent years, DC films have been fortunate to feature some exceptional talent, with actors like Heath Ledger and Joaquin Phoenix earning Academy Awards for their remarkable portrayals of two distinct incarnations of Batman’s nemesis, the Joker. The cinematic world of Hollywood would undoubtedly be impoverished without these gifted individuals and their captivating performances in DC movies.

And then there are the movies and performances below.

Indeed, they left quite an impression – though not the kind you’d hope for in a positive sense. These performances stand out as the most disappointing in any adaptation of DC Comics to the big screen. Regrettably, with so many underwhelming DC movies over the years, there are plenty of candidates vying for

Over the years, I’ve seen a variety of DC performances, ranging from the initial efforts to establish ongoing franchises decades ago, to more recent ones that emerged during the tumultuous era of the DC Extended Universe. Some are just a few months old, while others have stood the test of time. Each one could be considered akin to cinematic Kryptonite, but here’s hoping that the new DC Universe is so remarkable that we never need to update this list again.

The Worst Performances in DC Movies

10. Dwayne Johnson, Black Adam

For many years, The Rock was linked to the Black Adam character, initially as a potential adversary to the main character in a Shazam! film, later as the lead in his own movie due to Johnson’s global stardom. However, when Black Adam was eventually released, the role seemed mismatched with The Rock’s screen presence and the charisma that makes him such an engaging actor.

In Black Adam, Johnson’s portrayal of Black Adam is stern, humorless, and devoid of charm. He doesn’t smile, tell jokes, or win hearts with his quick wit or endearing kindness. Instead, he’s just a towering figure who destroys things. While there may be no one more convincing as a destructive, intimidating character than Dwayne Johnson, his performance in Black Adam consisted solely of scowling, punching nameless foes, and staring intensely for two hours. This was a deliberately monotonous portrayal in a film that lacked depth.

9. Kristen Wiig, Wonder Woman 1984

Kristen Wiig is a talented comedian and underappreciated actress, excelling in most roles except for her part as Barbara Minerva, also known as Cheetah, the arch-nemesis of Wonder Woman, in the film “Wonder Woman 1984.” In this movie, directed by Patty Jenkins, Wiig’s character stands out negatively amidst a disappointing sequel. The modern interpretation of Cheetah, originally reminiscent of Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman, is portrayed as a shy, mistreated individual who discovers her inner strength and assertiveness through contact with the supernatural. Wiig’s over-the-top performance, featuring exaggerated expressions as she develops superpowers, creates a contrast with Jenkins’ more realistic depiction of Wonder Woman and the Amazons.

8. Richard Pryor, Superman III

It’s increasingly apparent that this compilation of poor performances in DC films is equally a list of questionable casting choices. For instance, a Superman sequel that often deviates from focusing on Superman to explore the challenges of a timid computer programmer, portrayed by Richard Pryor, who finds himself entangled in his villainous boss’ schemes involving the Man of Steel. It’s said that Pryor secured his role in Superman III following an appearance on The Tonight Show, where he expressed his fondness for the previous Superman films and desire to be part of the next one. Somehow, his pitch was successful — before there was a clear way to incorporate such a talented comedian into a film about a celestial being. Despite some enjoyable aspects of Superman III, like the clash between Clark Kent, the hero, and a Superman poisoned by Kryptonite, Pryor seems quite incongruous in Metropolis.

7. Michael Fassbender, Jonah Hex

In another take, we find that Jonah Hex was a dismal, ill-fated production; the initial directors withdrew, followed by their successors who were subsequently replaced for significant reshoots. It’s reported that the second director, as claimed by star Josh Brolin, wasn’t a suitable fit and often spent his nights out partying instead of working. Given such circumstances, it’s hardly shocking if a subpar performance ensued – even from an exceptional actor like Michael Fassbender.

Elsewhere, Fassbender is renowned for delivering some of the finest performances in comic-book movies; his Magneto, portrayed as a compellingly complex antihero (with the exception of a few less-than-stellar X-Men films), is a testament to this. Unfortunately, his portrayal of Burke, a DC character and psychotic outlaw, lacks the depth seen in his other roles. Instead, he embodies a darker version of a villain from the 1960s Batman TV show – characterized by excessive yelling, maniacal laughter, and an overly broad accent. Remarkably, despite these shortcomings, Fassbender’s performance in Jonah Hex doesn’t rank as the worst…

6. Megan Fox, Jonah Hex

As a film enthusiast, let me tell you, despite Michael Fassbender’s less than stellar portrayal, Megan Fox outdoes him in terms of subpar acting. She embodies Lilah, a stereotypical (read: heavily clichéd) character from the world’s oldest profession, with a heart as golden as a midday sun. I could attempt to explain her performance, but it’s the kind that truly resonates when you witness it firsthand.

5. Peter Sarsgaard, Green Lantern

It’s plausible that no actor could have effectively portrayed Hector Hammond, the ominous antagonist in Green Lantern who had an abnormally large head resembling a testicle. I can’t verify this, but it seems Peter Sarsgaard struggled with the role. The casting choice appears to be problematic once more; despite being five years older than Ryan Reynolds and sixteen years older than Blake Lively, Sarsgaard was expected to play their childhood friend who re-enters the lives of Hal Jordan and Carol Ferris. Perhaps he had to repeat a grade multiple times?

Hector lacked credibility as a friend of those characters, and his transformation into the villainous Parallax didn’t instill much fear, especially with his enlarged cranium.

4. Halle Berry, Catwoman

As a movie enthusiast, I can’t help but express my personal view that Halle Berry’s portrayal of Catwoman in the film stands out as one of the most disappointing DC productions – an achievement when you consider other questionable choices like Steel, Green Lantern, Supergirl, Jonah Hex, and the first Suicide Squad. It’s not just about Halle Berry; she didn’t single-handedly lift the subpar material in the movie. Instead, it seems that she, along with the flawed script and peculiar editing, all plummet together into a less than satisfying cinematic experience.

In this film, Halle Berry portrays Patience Phillips, a character who is granted cat-like powers. She’s incredibly agile, always landing on her feet, excels at basketball to an almost unbelievable degree, has an unusual affinity for stealing jewelry, uses a whip, makes cringeworthy basketball puns, and is fond of leather – essentially embodying the quirks of a real cat.

3. Alicia Silverstone, Batman & Robin

In a simpler and more conversational style, the text could be rephrased as follows:

– Arnold Schwarzenegger’s performance as Mr. Freeze in “Batman & Robin” is often mocked for his repeated ice puns. While it’s true that his Freeze character lacked the emotional depth of villains like Danny DeVito’s Penguin, Arnold embraced the campy and exaggerated nature of the movie. He was part of a vibrant, colorful, and somewhat ridiculous Batman film, and he played his role accordingly.

– The less-than-stellar performance in “Batman & Robin” is largely due to Alicia Silverstone’s portrayal of Batgirl. Instead of the strong, intelligent Barbara Gordon from the comics, Silverstone played a rather out-of-place character named Barbara Wilson, who was Alfred Pennyworth’s niece. She happened to visit Alfred, then stumbled upon the Batcave, where Alfred had conveniently left a Batsuit for her to wear. At that time, Silverstone was a popular actress thanks to “Clueless,” but that doesn’t mean fitting her into an already crowded “Batman & Robin” was a smart decision.

2. Shaquille O’Neal, Steel

Shaquille O’Neal, with his towering presence, seems perfect for a superhero role, and he appears to be enjoying himself as the substitute for Superman in the movie Steel. However, the script is filled with self-referential jokes that detract from the film’s authenticity – Shaq misses basketball shots on screen and shrugs, there are jokes about the “shaft” of Steel’s hammer by Richard Roundtree, and the Steel costume looks dreadful. As a result, Steel feels more like an extended, painfully unfunny Saturday Night Live sketch rather than a real movie, especially with Shaq in the main role, who seems to be struggling with the material.

1. Jared Leto, Suicide Squad

In a reported method acting approach, Jared Leto, for his role as the Joker in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, is said to have gone to great lengths, sending strange gifts like a dead pig and a rat to his co-stars. While some might argue that this unusual behavior contributed to a particularly chilling portrayal of the character, many critics find Leto’s Joker disappointing. Compared to other portrayals of the character, Leto’s version is often criticized as uninspired and lacking in purpose within the storyline. At this point, after numerous intriguing interpretations of the Joker, such antics no longer seem fresh or entertaining.

The Biggest DC Movie Bombs

1. Black Adam

This version provides a more conversational tone and clarifies the initial budget figure, which was unclear in the original text due to the use of the term “reported” without further explanation. It also makes it clearer that the marketing expenses are not included in the initial budget and that these costs can be substantial for big-budget films. Additionally, it provides a more balanced perspective on the film’s financial performance by acknowledging differing opinions about its potential losses or profits. Finally, it clarifies that the film’s earnings were insufficient to guarantee a sequel based on its performance.

2. The Flash

In the wake of Black Adam, The Flash was released with comparable figures: A substantial budget and a less-than-stellar box office performance, despite an abundance of cameos from the rich tapestry of DC films and series, and the anticipation that it would establish the new DC Universe. Regrettably, this underwhelming outcome hindered the development of another franchise.

After Black Adam, The Flash hit theaters with similar statistics: A hefty budget and a less-than-satisfactory financial return, despite numerous cameos from across the extensive DC film and TV landscape, and the expectation that it would launch the new DC Universe. Sadly, this performance stalled the growth of another franchise.

3. Green Lantern

4. Shazam! Fury of the Gods

In contrast to expectations, the global box office earnings of “Fury of the Gods” fell short compared to the original “Shazam!”, despite having a larger reported budget. This could hint that Shazam might not make a comeback in the upcoming DC Universe by James Gunn and Peter Safran.

This version aims to provide clarity while maintaining an easy-to-read structure, using more concise sentences and clearer language to convey the original meaning.

5. Catwoman

Instead of creating another film featuring Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman from “Batman Returns”, Warner Bros opted to produce an unconnected movie centered around a freshly developed feline heroine character, portrayed by Halle Berry. Unfortunately, this decision led to poor critical and financial reception. Purr.

Warner Bros decided not to make another film with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman from “Batman Returns”. Instead, they produced a standalone movie introducing a new feline heroine character played by Halle Berry. However, this move resulted in both negative critical and box office repercussions. Meow.

Lastly:

In contrast to making another film with Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman from “Batman Returns”, Warner Bros chose to create a new movie featuring a brand-new feline heroine character, played by Halle Berry. Sadly, this choice resulted in both unfavorable reviews and disappointing box office returns. Meow.

6. Supergirl

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Superman franchise was groundbreaking for comic-book movies. However, its box office earnings dwindled rapidly. By the time they produced their first spinoff in 1984, with Supergirl, it was already the beginning of the end for the series. The film only grossed approximately $15 million at the box office, a far cry from what superheroes usually earn. Unfortunately, Supergirl didn’t receive a sequel or another big-screen appearance until 2023’s The Flash.

7. Jonah Hex

8. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

9. Steel

In contrast to today, the production budget for superhero movies was significantly lower around 25 years ago. For instance, the movie “Steel,” starring Shaquille O’Neal, only cost about $19 million. Unfortunately, it could only manage to earn less than 10% of that amount at the box office. Compared to other superhero films from that year like “Batman & Robin”, 1997 appears to have been a particularly challenging period in the history of superhero cinema.

10. The Return of Swamp Thing

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2025-07-03 16:26