Most of the controversies about the DCEU revolve around its characterization of famous comic book heroes. While some love the new versions of Batman, Superman, The Flash and Lex Luthor - including how they contrast to previous representations of these characters, some despited these and believed the DCEU strayed too much from the original DC characters. Some superheroes, instead, made their first-ever appearance in movies - Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Shazam - and fans were relieved to finally see them come to the big screen.
All in all, each character of the DCEU finds themselves on a wild journey and evolves in some way - some learn from their naivety, some from their negative assumptions, while others simply grow more confidant and recover from past traumas. Let’s take a look, then, at the 10 biggest character developments in the DCEU.
Steve Trevor
A bit awkward and timid for a spy, the American was one of the only few good men of the entire Wonder Woman movie. It’s in the middle of World War I that Wonder Woman discovers the world of men, and the vast majority of them disrespect and belittle her because she’s a woman. But not Steve - he listens to her and treats her as his equal.
For most of the movie, he does not believe in her tales of Ares being the cause of WWI, and he finds Wonder Woman’s aim to help everyone in the war unrealistic. Finally, though, he believes in the existence of Ares, and is so inspired by Wonder Woman’s courage and determination that he sacrifices himself to help her end the war.
Deadshot
Task Force X of Suicide Squad may be a team of villains deemed ‘worst of the worst’, but a lot of them are actually big softies. Surprisingly, Deadshot is no exception.
Working as a hitman, lying to his daughter and his daughter’s mom; Deadshot did not have his life together. But an incident with Batman and his daughter prompts him to turn his life around. Almost willingly, he goes to prison to pay for his crimes and do his time to redeem himself. There seems to be no limit to how much Deadshot will improve himself to be a better father, and that’s pretty impressive for a criminal.
Superman
Living as an alien among humans in Man Of Steel, Superman had problems dealing with his superhuman abilities and America’s opinions on the power he holds. In fact, discovering that the world saw his inhuman strength as a threat made him temporarily give up on using his powers for the greater good. Only temporarily though - as he sacrifices himself to save thousands.
Superman’s character also evolves after his resurrection. Dying and coming back to life is probably a traumatic experience, and going through that causes Superman to lay off from playing superhero for a while. But his mind eventually changes, and he swoops in at the last minute to help the Justice League against Steppenwolf. It seems that Superman just can’t be discouraged from fighting for the Earth.
Orm
Due to Aquaman’s refusal of the crown, his little brother Orm, is crowned King of Atlantis in Aquaman. Initially, Orm’s actions seem well-intentioned: he wants to protect his home and end the pollution of the oceans. But he gets carried away, opting for extreme means that do not justify the ends.
He attempts to wage war on the surface, and when he is ambushed by Aquaman and Mera, he attacks them too. There seems to be a struggle between Orm’s desire to protect the ocean and his hatred for those who harm the ocean, and eventually, his hatred takes blinds him completely. Orm’s slow downfall is a beautiful but tragic contrast to the rise of his brother, Aquaman.
Lex Luthor
Jesse Eisenberg’s performance as Lex Luthor in Batman v Superman was among the most criticized aspects of the movie. Whereas in the comics, the villain is often serious, collected and calm - Jesse’s Luthor was fidgety, awkward and talked incredibly fast. Nonetheless, he possessed that unrelenting evilness and intelligence that Lex Luthor always has.
It’s rare, but he managed to outsmart Batman and Superman, and pit them against each other. Even after being defeated and thrown in a cell he, somehow, escaped and recruited the world’s deadliest assassin: Deathstroke. It seems that being imprisoned had the opposite effect of slowing Lex Luthor down, and that’s what makes him such a great villain.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman, grew up in Themyscira, an island completely shut off from the rest of the world. As a result, she ventured into the world of men for the first time full of naivety. The princess could not perceive that men could wage war on each other, and though that Ares, God of War, was behind all of it. Ares may have been real, but so was man’s evilness and cruelty.
Years later, Wonder Woman is more mature and realistic: she knows that men are incapable of standing together for long. She may seem pessimist, but she still stands by her words about the power of love: it is stronger than hate, stronger than war and revenge.
Aquaman
When Wonder Woman and Batman created the Justice League, most of their recruits initially didn’t want to join. Aquaman was one of them. He refused because he was mistrustful and uneasy about taking on the responsibility of protecting the planet.
He felt a similar way about being King of Atlantis. Half-Atlantean and half-human, Arthur Curry never felt like he belonged to either world and ended up isolating himself. Thankfully, sailing on adventures with the Justice League and with Mera teaches him to accept his true nature, and step up to seize the crown from his cruel brother. It’s refreshing to watch Aquaman finally find himself and fight for his Kingdom.
Cyborg
Despite not being popular, Cyborg is one of the most interesting characters of Justice League. Young and inexperienced, Victor Stone is struggling with the complications of his new cyborg body. A near-death experience is already traumatizing, but having to adjust life as a half-human half-machine is something else entirely. As is to be expected, Victor removes himself from the rest of the world and blames his unhappiness on his father, who was only trying to save his dying son. When Wonder Woman comes to ask for Cyborg’s help, he initially refuses.
It’s a turning point for his character when he then joins the superhero team. He finally becomes more comfortable in his new body and uses his powers for the greater good instead of resenting them.
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn won over viewers’ hearts during her first on-screen appearance in Suicide Squad. Her quirky, bubbly personality and her criminal mind made her a character unlike ever seen before. She would appear confident and fierce if it weren’t for her emotional and physically abusive relationship with Mister J.
The Joker manipulated, used and tortured her - and yet she was head over heels for him. Thankfully, all of that seems to change in Birds Of Prey; where she finally realizes that she is better off without Joker and stops being defined by him.
Batman
Batman v Superman gave us the darkest cinematic adaptation of Batman. Older, and experienced as Batman, Bruce Wayne has grown weary with the endless cycle of catching criminals every night.
Misled by false accusations about Superman and blinded by his hatred for abuse of power, Batman crosses the line and tries to kill Superman to prevent him from doing any more harm. Mind you, he doesn’t succeed, and instead, he gets inspired by Superman’s heroic sacrifice. Although tragic, it’s relieving to see Batman become himself again as his faith in humanity gets restored. From then on, he only tries to redeem himself; vouching to protect the Earth from real threats instead of potential ones.
