The DC Universe is home to countless superheroes and villains, each boasting unique and incredible powers, but some of DC’s most fascinating superpowers remain absent from live-action movies. Whether due to special effects limitations, narrative choices, or character selection, these abilities have yet to be fully realized in the DCU timeline. With James Gunn’s DCU reboot unfolding, now might be the perfect time for these superpowers to finally get the spotlight they deserve.
DC’s deep bench of characters includes beings capable of godlike feats, but not all of their powers have translated into live-action movies. While major franchises like the Justice League and The Dark Knight trilogy have introduced mainstream audiences to some of DC’s most well-known abilities, many remain untapped. Even in DC’s extended universe of TV shows, animated films, and video games, some of these powers have only had limited exposure. As the DCEU transitions into the new DCU under James Gunn and Peter Safran, there’s a golden opportunity to bring fresh, visually stunning powers to the forefront.
10
Pyrokinesis
Controlling Fire
Pyrokinesis, the ability to generate and manipulate fire is a power that has been largely overlooked in DC’s live-action movies. While fire-based attacks are common in superhero cinema, few characters have been given full control over flames in the way DC’s pyrokinesis users can. Characters like Fire (Beatriz da Costa) and Heat Wave (Mick Rory) possess the ability to summon, control, and weaponize fire with precision.
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Fire’s abilities, in particular, are visually striking – she can transform into a being of green fire, an effect that would be stunning with modern CGI. While Heat Wave has appeared in The Flash TV series, and Fire had a brief animated run in Justice League Unlimited, neither has made the leap to the big screen. A DCU film featuring the Global Guardians or a Green Lantern Corps mission could be the perfect way to introduce pyrokinesis in live-action cinema.
9
Precognition
Seeing The Future
Few powers are as narratively rich as precognition – the ability to foresee future events. This power can change the course of an entire story, adding an element of mystery and inevitability to the plot. Despite its dramatic potential, precognition has yet to play a major role in any DC live-action movie. One of the most prominent DC characters with this ability is Dream (Morpheus) from The Sandman, who has glimpses of future possibilities through dreams.
Another is Saturn Girl, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose precognitive abilities allow her to sense imminent dangers. While The Sandman has seen success as a Netflix series, and Saturn Girl appeared in Supergirl, their abilities haven’t been explored in a DC movie. A Legion of Super-Heroes film or a Justice League Dark project could introduce this mind-bending power to live-action cinema in a meaningful way.
8
Reactive Adaptation
Adapt To Survive In Any Situation
Reactive adaptation is an incredibly rare and powerful ability that allows a character to instantly evolve in response to any threat or environment. While shape-shifters and healing factors are common in superhero films, this next-level power remains unexplored in live-action DC movies. A prime example of this ability in DC Comics is Vril Dox II, aka Brainiac 5, a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes.
His Coluan physiology allows him to adapt his intelligence and physical traits beyond human limitations. Another major user of this power is Resurrection Man (Mitch Shelley), who resurrects after death with abilities specifically designed to counter whatever killed him. While Brainiac 5 has appeared in Supergirl, and Resurrection Man was referenced in Arrow, neither has been in a theatrical release. A Legion of Super-Heroes film or a horror-tinged DC project could make reactive adaptation a terrifying and game-changing power in the DCU.
7
Magnetism
Controlling Metal
Magnetism is a powerful ability that has been used to great effect in comics, yet it remains largely absent from DC’s live-action films. While Marvel has Magneto, DC has its own share of magnetic manipulators, the most prominent being Doctor Polaris. A longtime Green Lantern and Justice League villain, Doctor Polaris has complete control over electromagnetic fields, allowing him to levitate metal, generate force fields, and manipulate electrical currents.
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Despite his formidable power, he has never made a cinematic appearance. Another strong candidate is Cosmic Boy, a founding member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, who uses magnetism to control metallic objects and even manipulate planetary gravity fields. Bringing a character like Cosmic Boy to the big screen could introduce a fresh take on the power in a futuristic setting. If DC wants to add new dimensions to superhero combat, magnetic abilities could offer stunning and visually dynamic sequences.
6
Dimensional Travel
Travelling Into Parallel Universes
The DC Universe is filled with characters who can traverse dimensions, but this power has yet to be fully realized in live-action films. One of the most notable users is The Flash, whose ability to access the Speed Force allows him to cross into alternate realities. While the “Arrowverse” explored this concept in The Flash TV series, the DCEU’s The Flash movie only briefly touched on the idea.
However, The Flash, primarily depicted this as Bary Allen being knocked off course during time travel, rather than a specific power he deployed – though in the comics he is certainly able to do so. A new Flash project in the DCU could depict Barry Allen’s more legitimate dimensional travel abilities. Another major figure is The Phantom Stranger, a mystical entity who exists outside of time and space, often moving between dimensions effortlessly. His unique abilities make him a prime candidate for a big-screen adaptation, particularly in a Justice League Dark film.
5
Shapeshifting
Transforming Into Another Form
Despite DC’s vast roster of shapeshifters, this ability has yet to take center stage in live-action movies. The most famous shapeshifter in DC is Martian Manhunter, who has appeared in Supergirl and Zack Snyder’s Justice League but never in a leading role. J’onn J’onzz can alter his appearance at will, mimicking humans or transforming his limbs into weapons.
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Another excellent candidate is Clayface, a Batman villain capable of extreme physical transformation. His abilities have been showcased in animated series and Gotham, and will presumably be spotlighted in the DCU’s Clayface movie. A horror-inspired take on Clayface would certainly be a game-changer for Batman films, highlighting the terrifying potential of his abilities. Meanwhile, Miss Martian, another powerful shapeshifter, could be a fantastic addition to a Teen Titans or Young Justice adaptation, bringing more depth to DC’s extraterrestrial heroes in live-action.
4
Photographic Reflexes
Remember And Replicate Another’s Attacks
One of the rarest and most underrated superpowers in DC is photographic reflexes, also known as Adomopathy, which allow a character to instantly replicate any physical action they witness. The best-known user is the villain Taskmaster in Marvel, but DC has its own version: with Prometheus, a character introduced in Blue Beetle (vol. 6) #3. Though not quite the same as superpowered copying abilities, the results are the same.
Unlike Batman, who had to train for years, Prometheus can upload fighting techniques directly into his brain and copy his opponents’ moves instantly. He has faced off against the Justice League and nearly defeated Batman using this ability. Given that he has never appeared in a DC film (only Arrow), Prometheus would be a formidable and fresh addition to the cinematic universe, potentially serving as a major antagonist in a Batman or Justice League film.
3
Gravity Manipulation
Control Gravity
DC has several characters with gravity-based abilities. The best-known is Doctor Polaris, a villain with control over magnetic and gravitational forces, making him a serious threat to heroes like Green Lantern and The Flash. His abilities could lead to visually stunning action sequences in a Green Lantern film or even the DCU’s Lanterns series. Another strong contender is Black Hole, a Flash villain who can generate singularities and manipulate gravity fields.
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The CW’s The Flash briefly adapted Black Hole’s concept, but the character himself has never appeared in live-action. Introducing gravity-based powers in a movie could set the stage for cosmic-level threats beyond the usual superhuman strength and speed. If DC wants to expand its sci-fi elements, a villain like Doctor Polaris or a reimagined Black Hole could bring something unique to the table in the DCU’s future.
2
Omnilingual Translation
Speak And Understand Any Language
One of the most useful yet unexplored superpowers in DC is omnilingual translation – the ability to understand and speak any language instantly. This power could be a game-changer in a universe filled with alien species and interdimensional beings. The most famous DC character with this ability is Cyborg, thanks to his advanced cybernetic brain. While Cyborg has appeared in Justice League, his linguistic skills have never been highlighted.
Another excellent example is Saturn Girl, a telepathic member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, who can communicate in any language through her mental abilities. This power could be a major asset in a Legion of Super-Heroes movie, allowing seamless interaction between alien races. Given the importance of intergalactic diplomacy in DC’s cosmic stories, highlighting omnilingual translation could add a new layer of depth to future sci-fi-heavy films.
1
Teleportation
Travel Instantly To Another Location
Teleportation is a common ability in DC Comics, yet it has barely been explored in movies. While characters like The Flash and Cyborg have used variations of fast travel, true teleportation remains largely unseen. One of the best candidates for a teleporting hero is Nightcrawler’s DC counterpart, The Shade. A longtime The Flash villain and Starman ally, The Shade can manipulate shadows to teleport instantly across vast distances.
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Another potential movie candidate is Kid Eternity, a lesser-known supernatural hero who can teleport and summon historical figures. His power set would bring a unique blend of magic and action to a DC film. While characters like Boom Tube-using New Gods or Klarion the Witch Boy could also showcase teleportation, a grounded character like The Shade would be a perfect way to introduce the ability in a stylish and cinematic way into the DC Universe.
