Like love and marriage, comedian e-book films and cameos are an institute you can not disparage. Marvel is perhaps the trailblazer on this regard, discovering distinctive and progressive methods to shoehorn everybody and their uncle right into a film or TV present, however DC is not immune from turning its viewers right into a real-life Pointing Rick Dalton meme. But, for each nice look, there’s additionally a flubber — a second that flops more durable than “Joker: Folie à Deux” did on the field workplace.
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Check out 2023’s “The Flash” for example. With all its multiversal potential, minds raced to the infinite potentialities, imagining the probabilities of seeing Christian Bale’s Batman return for a triumphant third act cameo and even seeing Ryan Reynolds’ Inexperienced Lantern fly in for a go to. As a substitute, it was a CGI horrorfest the place the tributes to previous heroes angered — quite than captivated — viewers. It might be simple to compile a whole listing of failures based mostly on that film alone, however within the curiosity of equity, solely two cameos from “The Flash” characteristic right here.
So, that are the worst cameos in DC films and TV exhibits? Put your ft on the Cosmic Treadmill and tuck in your arms, as a result of it is time to head again and discover all of the blunders that had the common fan shaking their head and questioning what was the purpose of all of it. Be warned, although: a few of these cameos might evoke traumatic recollections of movies and moments that everybody needs they might overlook.
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George Clooney’s Batman in The Flash
Oh, to be a fly on the wall to listen to the conversations that passed off to resolve on “The Flash” ending. For these unaware, there have been three endings filmed for the film. One noticed the return of Michael Keaton’s Batman and Sasha Calle’s Supergirl to inform Ezra Miller’s Barry Allen the timeline was nonetheless in peril. The second added Gal Gadot’s Surprise Girl and Henry Cavill’s Superman into the combo, as they joined the opposite heroes to talk to Barry. The third, which was within the ultimate lower of “The Flash,” featured George Clooney’s Bruce Wayne stepping out of the automobile and chatting to Barry, who could not consider this model of Bruce was Batman, then Barry’s entrance tooth falling out in an terrible CGI sequence.
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From a logical perspective, it is smart why the third one was chosen right here. In spite of everything, Warner Bros. did not desire a repeat of the “Black Adam” fiasco the place Cavill’s Man of Metal returned solely to depart instantly due to the change of regime on the studio. So, the Clooney cameo turned out to be the most secure choice.
That mentioned, think about being a fan, experiencing all the pieces that got here earlier than in “The Flash” then receiving the worst Batman actor of all time on the finish. It is like sitting via a primary grade flute rendition of Celine Dion’s “My Coronary heart Will Go On” and shutting off with a medley of Katy Perry’s biggest hits. Hell on Earth, buddies. Hell on Earth.
En Vogue’s Women on the Nook in Batman Eternally
Films act as time capsules, serving as home windows into wider popular culture. Whether or not it’s style, music, or celeb, it is easy to decode what everybody loved on the time by trying out particular movies of sure eras. Within the case of Joel Schumacher’s “Batman Eternally,” it is the last word love letter to the mid-’90s. Not solely does it have a good time Seal’s “Kiss from a Rose,” nevertheless it additionally options the all-star outfit En Vogue, who lit up the last decade with tracks like “My Lovin’ (You are By no means Gonna Get It)” and “Maintain On.”
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Sadly, En Vogue options in one of many worst cameos in DC films, as a result of the group serves zero goal in “Batman Eternally.” Credited as the ladies on the nook, Maxine Jones, Terry Ellis, Cindy Herron, and Daybreak Robinson present up within the scene wherein Chris O’Donnell’s Dick Grayson takes the Batmobile for a joyride all through Gotham Metropolis. He stops the automobile and En Vogue rushes over to catch a glimpse of Batman. When the cover slides open they usually see the Boy Surprise, they are saying, “That is not Batman. That is Batboy.” Remind us once more how a lot Warner Bros. paid Lee Batchler, Janet Scott Batchler, and Akiva Goldsman to write down this script?
In a film already jam-packed with celebrities and too many characters to recollect, En Vogue’s addition furthers nothing on this storyline. One wonders if that they had an even bigger position or have been even current in the darker 170-minute Joel Schumacher prolonged lower of “Batman Eternally.”
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Lynda Carter’s Asteria in Surprise Girl 1984
Lynda Carter’s title stays synonymous with Surprise Girl. Very like Christopher Reeve outlined Superman for a era, so too did Carter with Diana Prince. After her stint because the Amazon Princess within the ’70s TV present, Carter reappeared within the DC Universe as Moira Sullivan in “Smallville” and President Olivia Marsdin in “Supergirl.” Within the latter, Carter obtained a meatier position, exhibiting up over the course of a number of episodes.
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Many followers anticipated that Carter would characteristic in Patty Jenkins’ “Surprise Girl” in some capability, however Carter revealed that she had a scheduling battle that prevented her from doing so. In “Surprise Girl 1984,” Carter seems in a mid-credits scene the place she’s revealed to be the fabled warrior Asteria, who’s secretly dwelling amongst people. By casting Carter because the legendary character, it is a method of the filmmakers acknowledging that she paved the way in which for Gal Gadot’s iteration of the character.
The issue lies in the truth that “Surprise Girl 1984” did not precisely attain the heights of its predecessor. Along with this, does Carter’s cameo add something greater than a nod and wink to the viewers? Take into account how a lot of an affect she had in shaping the character’s place in popular culture. Absolutely, she deserves a task that affords her extra time than it takes to heat up mac and cheese within the microwave. Reportedly, Lynda Carter’s Asteria was meant to return for “Surprise Girl 3,” however that movie’s deader than “Black Adam 2.”
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Ezra Miller’s Flash and Jason Momoa’s Aquaman in Peacemaker
Whereas nonetheless technically part of the broader DC Prolonged Universe, the humorous “Peacemaker” tone places it at odds with the darker properties of the time. Yeah, there are throwaway traces concerning the Justice League, particularly with John Cena’s Christopher Smith spreading faux information concerning the heroes, however the present works finest when it stays in its personal particular person lane. Within the final episode of the primary season, titled “It is Cow or By no means,” members of the Justice League present as much as work together with Peacemaker. Whereas Surprise Girl and Superman by no means come into full view, Jason Momoa’s Aquaman and Ezra Miller’s Flash obtain traces and display time. Neither Batman nor Cyborg seem, although, as James Gunn closely implied revealed he could not use the characters right here.
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So, how are the Flash and Aquaman utilized for this “Peacemaker” cameo? To land a recurring punchline about Arthur Curry fornicating fish. Aquaman reveals he is bored with the rumor, whereas Barry Allen laughs and alludes that it is true — a lot to Arthur’s chagrin.
Okay, this falls consistent with the Troma-styled rest room humor of “Peacemaker,” normally, however the bipolar nature of the DCEU at this level bordered on unbearable. Was this gag actually vital and did it advance Aquaman or Flash as characters in any respect? And is that this actually the perfect scene that Gunn may have discovered for Miller and Momoa right here? You may as properly have them consuming shawarma with Peacemaker earlier than the credit roll.
Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang in The Suicide Squad
Look, if a film is called “The Suicide Squad,” loss of life ought to be anticipated. Even David Ayer worn out Slipknot in 2016’s “Suicide Squad” in dramatic and fast style, when followers might need anticipated him to have an even bigger position. But, Adam Seaside’s Slipknot is not a personality in the identical league as Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang. Boomy is among the Flash’s most recognizable antagonists within the comics and options closely within the 2016 movie, however James Gunn did not waste a lot time in having Captain Boomerang meet his maker in “The Suicide Squad.” Resultantly, the rogue finally ends up having one of many worst cameos in a DC film.
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Sure, you’ll be able to argue that nobody ought to be seen as secure on a Process Pressure X mission, however take into consideration Boomy’s presence within the earlier movie and the way a lot he was proven within the promos for “The Suicide Squad” solely to hit the morgue sooner than the Scarlet Speedster in a foot race. Additionally, contemplate Captain Boomerang’s prickly character that all the time has everybody questioning if he might be trusted or not by his teammates. Think about such a dynamic with somebody like Peacemaker, who finally ends up betraying the group in a while. That is the type of cinema that Scorsese would respect.
Nobody cares about Savant, Blackguard, or Javelin changing into canon fodder early on, as a result of there’s zero attachment to these D-grade jobbers. However Boomy? Nah, Gunn and Warner Bros. did our boy soiled right here.
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Titus Welliver’s Lex Luthor in Titans
DC followers have a sophisticated relationship with the “Titans” collection. The present boasts sensational casting and stellar costumes, nevertheless it additionally jumps the shark at important factors for no good motive — aside from momentary shock worth. Within the lead-up to the fourth season, information broke that “Bosch” actor Titus Welliver can be taking part in Lex Luthor within the collection. It appeared like a serious coup, contemplating Welliver’s pedigree as a performer, and followers could not wait to see the particular dynamic between Lex and Joshua Orpin’s Conner Kent.
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But, Welliver’s stint in “Titans” turned out to be nothing greater than a glorified cameo. Granted that Welliver has a couple of scene within the episode titled “Lex Luthor,” however the character dies as a snake escapes his physique earlier than the credit roll. All that promise of seeing the heroes face off towards Luthor vanishes into the Phantom Zone, as “Titans” season 4 removed its finest character method too quickly.
What’s most felony about that is how DC secured Welliver for such a serious position and wasted him for a solitary look. Showrunner Greg Walker instructed TVLine that “Titans” was solely allowed to make use of Lex for a single episode. “In the event you needed extra Titus, you have to be actually dissatisfied,” Walker mentioned. “I am dissatisfied. However we knew we had these constraints, and we labored with them.” Why forged him then? Simply save Welliver as Lex for an even bigger alternative down the highway. Now, it is over.
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Marlon Brando’s Jor-El in Superman Returns
Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” operates as a legacy sequel to 1978’s “Superman” and 1980’s “Superman II.” There is a shared continuity and DNA between the movies, and it comes throughout within the 2006 film. On the identical time, although, everybody understands there is a 26-year hole between “Superman Returns” and “Superman II,” and real-life occasions and the passing of time make it not possible to choose up precisely the place all the pieces left off with the identical forged. Therefore nobody batting an eyelid when new actors have been forged for the components.
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But, a peculiar determination was taken to convey again Marlon Brando’s Jor-El for the Fortress of Solitude sequence. Brando handed away just a few years earlier than the making of “Superman Returns,” so the filmmakers digitally recreated his character and interspersed this with beforehand recorded footage from the sooner “Superman” movies.
Regardless of getting permission from Brando’s property to make use of his likeness in “Superman Returns,” the cameo nonetheless comes throughout in poor style and quite ghoulish. Everybody else had been recast, so why could not Jor-El be too? If Brando had been alive and determined to step again into the position of Jor-El, that is a unique story altogether. Nonetheless, Jor-El’s contribution is such a small a part of the general “Superman Returns” storyline that the position may have gone to anybody else, and nobody would have been too fazed about it.
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Coolio’s Banker in Batman & Robin
If somebody instructed you there was an opportunity to forged the rap artist who sang “Gangsta’s Paradise” in your film, what would you say? Director Joel Schumacher positively mentioned sure, as a result of Coolio appeared in 1997’s “Batman & Robin.” Within the movie, Coolio has a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo as a personality named Banker. He interacts with Alicia Silverstone’s Barbara Wilson, accepting her money, earlier than she partakes within the bike race.
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It is a pointless and forgettable cameo, although, because it may have been performed by anyone else and would not have modified a single factor concerning the film. Yeah, it is Coolio, and he was a cool cat within the ’90s, however this film already had extra characters than brains, so who even remembers his cameo by the tip of the movie?
There was a motive that the musician accepted the half, although. Coolio mentioned he was presupposed to play the Scarecrow in Joel Schumacher’s third “Batman” film. Now, it stays unclear if the Banker was meant to be revealed because the Scarecrow within the sequel, or if everybody would miraculously overlook Coolio performed another person within the film earlier than and simply recast him, however the casting may have modified the context of the cameo in “Batman & Robin.” Sadly, because it stands, the Banker would not break the ice right here and goes straight to the cooler as one of many worst cameos in a DC film. Sorry — could not resist the Mr. Freeze-inspired puns.
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Nicolas Cage’s Superman in The Flash
On paper, this could have been the best DC cameo of all time. Tim Burton’s “Superman Lives,” starring Nicolas Cage because the Man of Metal, stays one of many cancelled DC films we nonetheless need to see. So, if we may get nearer to heaven and be blessed by Cage’s Supes for a minute … Nicely, the world would heal from all its ache and turmoil.
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Sadly, when Cage’s Superman seems within the multiverse sequence of the film, it is all CGI — however not the great variety. Hearts sink as one realizes it is not actually Cage’s hero battling an enormous spider on display — it is a soulless digital recreation of him. Angels weep and goals shatter.
What makes this even worse is the truth that Cage truly confirmed as much as movie a cameo and spent three hours on set, however all his work was digitally altered within the ultimate lower. So, what was Cage’s Supes meant to do initially? “Kal-El was bearing witness [to] the tip of a universe, and you may think about with that brief period of time that I had, what that may imply when it comes to what I can convey,” Cage instructed Yahoo Leisure. “I had no dialogue [so had to] convey with my eyes the emotion. So that is what I did.” Launch the Cage lower of “The Flash,” you cowards!
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Michael Cassidy’s Jimmy Olsen in Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice
Jimmy Olsen is a crucial a part of the Superman mythology. The younger photographer from the Every day Planet is buddies with each Clark Kent and Lois Lane, typically being handled as the center and soul of the group. Filmmaker Zack Snyder had different plans for the character within the DCEU, although, as he despatched Michael Cassidy’s Jimmy Olsen to maintain Batman’s mother and father firm in “Batman v Superman: Daybreak of Justice.”
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Within the movie, Lois (Amy Adams) interviews an African warlord, however occasions take a flip for the more severe after Jimmy will get outed as a CIA operative. For his troubles, Jimmy receives a bullet to the pinnacle. And that is it! Relaxation in peace, Jimbo!
The story would not make it clear how lengthy Henry Cavill’s Clark or Lois knew Jimmy right here, however judging by their general response, he did not depart that a lot of an impression — they carried on with their lives as if nothing ever occurred. Even so, one can not help however really feel dissatisfied by Jimmy’s cameo in “Batman v Superman.” As a substitute of saving the character for a extra vital arc — maybe in one other movie — Jimmy turns into one other sufferer of the MurderVerse. It additionally so occurs to be one of many worst cameos in a DC film.
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