Give us DC’s Deathstroke and Bane movie – it can’t be worse than Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

As James Gunn takes the helm of DC Studios, he appears to be embarking on quite the adventure. But the question on everyone’s mind is whether we’ll actually see every muscle-bound hero and lesser-known sidekick get their moment in the limelight. Are we really contemplating a film featuring Condiment King next?

This week, we learned that DC is developing a movie with Deathstroke and Bane—a duo that’s so testosterone-fueled it’s as if the two angriest guys at the gym decided to start a heavy metal band. Yet, in today’s entertainment climate, perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised. We’re in an era where even the most obscure comic book characters are making their way to our screens. Remember when Thor was seen as a niche character? Or how most people didn’t know Rocket Raccoon until Gunn brought him to life in “Guardians of the Galaxy”?

But does that really justify a film centered around two hulking maniacs likely to spend the entire runtime flexing their oversized egos? Surely, there are more compelling options out there.

Gunn recently quashed rumors about a solo film for Mr. Freeze, the frosty villain from the infamous “Batman & Robin.” Seriously? What’s next, a three-hour epic about Brother Power the Geek, the 1960s superhero who was once a tailor’s dummy but quickly faded into obscurity? Or should we resurrect Condiment King because nothing screams “cinematic masterpiece” like a guy who sprays ketchup and mustard?

While there are certainly worse paths DC could take, it’s worth questioning if these are the right ones.

Gunn has established a promising foundation with the upcoming “Superman: Legacy,” centering the new universe around Kal-El. However, it’s puzzling to see DC diving into obscure characters before we’ve had a real chance to experience the major players. What exactly went wrong for Patty Jenkins and Gal Gadot, other than one lackluster sequel in “Wonder Woman 1984,” that led to their exit from this new era? Is Aquaman not worthy of being reinvented, or is everyone simply hesitant to tell Jason Momoa it’s time for an upgrade? After all, casting Nicole Kidman as his mother may not have been as savvy as letting Harley Quinn babysit in the Batcave.

At least Gunn acknowledges that no DC universe is complete without captivating Batman stories. We now have two iterations of the Dark Knight: Robert Pattinson’s brooding version in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” and a potentially lighter take in the upcoming “The Brave and the Bold,” who might interact with other heroes without derailing the tone.

This raises an intriguing solution to the ongoing discussion about Gotham’s hero. Gunn’s strategy of embracing both a Nolan-esque realistic Batman and one who encounters aliens or Egyptian gods is a smart move given DC’s new Elseworlds initiative. No one will mind if Colin Farrell’s grumpy Penguin doesn’t appear in the more optimistic “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” nor if Gunn’s proposed “Teen Titans” film skips the Nirvana soundtrack. “Joker: Folie à Deux” could end up being more reminiscent of musicals like “Mamma Mia!” than your typical DC flick, as long as it’s heads and shoulders above “Black Adam.”

Gunn’s arrival seems to inject a glimmer of optimism into this new universe, which might not fully deserve it—after all, it can’t be worse than what we’ve seen before. Until “Legacy” turns out to be another disappointment, or “The Brave and the Bold” becomes the worst superhero film since “Catwoman,” we might as well hold onto our hopes a little while longer.

However, the Bane and Deathstroke film could easily turn into a disaster, with angry versions of Statler and Waldorf racing to see who can down more protein shakes, while “The Batman: Part II” could be three hours of Pattinson gloomily scribbling lyrics about dead fish. Nevertheless, surely they can’t be worse than “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”