The Teen Titans debuted in the Silver Age of comics and have become a staple of DC programming. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that they reached their peak of fame thanks to the now iconic Judas Contract scenario. Since then, and thanks to a beloved animated series, the Titans have established themselves as one of DC’s most popular teams.
Despite all their fame, the Titans have yet to make their big screen debut, and with the DCEU seemingly focusing on standalone films, now is a great time to take the plunge. The Titans have enough notoriety to direct a movie on their own, not to mention one of the most intriguing and diverse lineups on any comic book team.
8 The Titans have some of the most compelling stories
The Teen Titans are a bunch of people who shouldn’t work together so well but do. They come from very different backgrounds and each has the potential to tackle issues that remain unexplored in the DCEU. Robin tries to escape the shadow of her iconic mentor, Raven can’t show herself for fear of her abilities, Starfire is an intergalactic refugee, and Superboy is a newborn baby struggling to regain his humanity.
In short, the Titans have the potential to create a compelling narrative that successfully explores deep and timely issues while providing a thrilling entry into the action-packed DCEU.
7 The Titans represent the new generation
Basically, the team aims to preserve the legacy of their mentors. Indeed, the founding members of the Teen Titans were all sidekicks of established heroes, trying to find their place in the larger DC universe. Over time, they have become their own characters; some even surpassed them, with Robin becoming Nightwing, Speedy becoming Arsenal, and Kid Flash taking on the role of Flash.
The DCEU is currently trying to find a rhythm that suits them. There’s talk of introducing a new Superman, there’s a new Batman already, and most of the plot points set up by the early films are fading away. The Teen Titans provide a unique opportunity to introduce characters closely associated with DC’s most iconic heroes who are still their own thing. The Teen Titans could also become their mentors, as many have done in the comics.
6 The Titans are the perfect harmony between science and magic
In most adaptations, Robin and Kid Flash are exceptionally intelligent and able to come up with incredible inventions. In some cases, Kid Flash is also a staunch opponent of magic, preferring to seek logical explanations through science. On the other hand Raven is the very representation of mysticism due to her status as a man-demon hybrid.
Most modern superhero stories fall into the fantasy side (Shazam!, Doctor strange, Wonder woman) and the sci-fi camp (Iron Man, Flash, Man of Steel). However, the Teen Titans successfully blend the two together, creating a chaotic yet appealing mix of genres and ideologies sorely lacking in modern superhero movies.
5 The Titans have incredible villains
In most iterations of the team, Deathstroke is the nemesis of Dick Grayson and the Titans. The Bounty Hunter is a threat he can always beat but never truly overcome. Indeed, Deathstroke returns time and time again, implementing an infamous plan that puts him back on the Titans’ path again.
The Teen Titans have several other powerful villains who could give Deathstroke a run for his money, including the anti-hero Terra, the fanatic Brother Blood, the envious Blackfire, and the time traveler Harvest. However, their most menacing villain is Trigon, a demon from another dimension and Raven’s father. Trigon has a myriad of powers that place him among the most powerful beings in DC, and the fact that the Titans face and beat him often strengthens their place among the most capable and courageous teams.
4 Beast Boy’s abilities would be visually stunning
Beast Boy is one of the most iconic members of the Titans. He was an original member of the Doom Patrol before joining the New Teen Titans in the 1980s. Beast Boy can metamorphose into any animal of his choice after being injected with a serum developed by parent scientists. His powers are unlike anything else in the comics, and no one else has such versatile gifts in modern superhero cinema.
The character has appeared in several adaptations, including Cartoon Network’s animated show and HBO Max’s. Titans. However, his powers are never properly used, possibly due to budget constraints. A DCEU version of the Titans would allow for a befitting adaptation of Beast Boy’s abilities, enhancing the film’s spectacle and delivering some of the most visually daring footage in modern cinema.
3 Raven is among the most powerful beings in DC
Without a doubt, Raven is the most powerful member of the Teen Titans. She has extensive knowledge and control over black magic, with Trigon admitting that she uses only a minimal portion of her abilities in combat. Indeed, Raven can do almost anything with her darkness and her abilities are proving to be more and more intelligent.
Seeing a crow live would allow for a festival of visual wonders. From lifting and manipulating objects to creating many shapes out of darkness, Raven’s powers would be a dynamic and exciting battle. His struggle to keep them under control and his inability to express his emotions would add even more complexity to his already compelling story arc.
2 There is already a dedicated Titans fan base
The Titans have been around for over 50 years, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that they became a real hit thanks to storylines like Judas Contract. Since then, they have been a constant performer for DC, building a loyal fan base over the years. Their reputation grew thanks to Cartoon Network’s beloved animated series, introducing them to new audiences.
These days, the Titans are DC comic book superstars and are more than ready to join the DCEU and take their devoted fans along. The struggling universe could benefit from setting up a team that would appeal to a younger audience. However, they should learn from the welcome that divides people who are too juvenile. Teen Titans Go and avoid making their titans on the big screen too childish.
1 A Titans movie would further extend the reach of the DCEU
Characters like Starfire, Blackfire, Blue Beetle, Miss Martian, and even Superboy would do a lot to extend the current reach of the DCEU. Superman is the most important alien in the Cinematic Universe so far, with comic book favorites like Martian Manhunter, Darkseid, and other Kryptonians barely making appearances.
The DCEU could follow in the footsteps of the MCU and introduce a cosmic side to their universe. A Teen Titans movement would provide the perfect starting point, with characters like Starfire and Miss Martian serving as the audience’s introduction to these new worlds. Raven would also serve as the starting point for a mystical side to the DCEU, eventually bonding with other characters like Zatanna and Constantine and even leading to Justice League Dark.
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