The allure of the masked crusader has never been more prominent than it is now. The DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has given us a plethora of super hero origin stories across the many different mediums that the studios have worked in, but which character will make the biggest impact in the coming years?

Selena Kyle

The first of a two-part series regarding the next great superhero, as Catwoman makes her grand entrance into the MCU, we are introduced to a troubled teenager raised in Detroit, named after the legendary singer. She is driven by a strong moral compass, which sees her take on white-collar crime alongside the legendary Batman, and teaches her that “a person’s character reveals itself in the way they choose to solve problems,” as the voice over puts it in the opening credits. Her mantra is one of determination and empowerment, and it sets the tone for an entire franchise.

The character’s physical appearance alone is enough to make the average person say “Awww…,” but the beauty is in Selena’s internal battle, where she wrestles with her darker side and forces herself to fight against her better judgment. Years of pent-up anger and frustration are released in the form of an alter ego, Catwoman, and we see a side of her we’ve never seen before.

Doctor Strange

Wondering who will assume the mantle of Doctor Strange in the coming years? The answer may lie with Scott Adkins, known for his portrayal of Red Sonja in the classic, Conan the Barbarian. The British actor could very well take on the role and embody the mystifying Dr. Strange in a way that fans have never seen before. The character was first featured in 1967 as a supporting character in the Batman episode ‘The Joker’s New Clothes’, before being given his own solo TV show two years later. Since then he’s become an integral part of the Marvel universe and is now appearing in the upcoming Doctor Strange movie, directed by Scott Adkins.

Deadpool

While we’ve been patiently waiting for the MCU to officially acknowledge the existence of the Merc with a Mouth, he’s been making cameo appearances in the various films and setting the box office on fire with his antics. The fourth entry in the hugely popular Marvel franchise – Deadpool, directed by Tim Miller – sees the character venture into his own solo film for the first time. The film’s villain, Leader, is a homage to the Mad Hatter from Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, and the action-packed movie pits Deadpool against a host of colorful, classic characters. It’s the perfect opportunity for fans to see more of this popular character, and Miller’s keen stuntwork coupled with the character’s quick wit and sense of humor should ensure that we’ve not been denied the pleasure of Wade Wilson’s cinematic existence for long.

Black Widow

The world can also look forward to a solo black widow movie, starring the remarkable and iconic Scarlett Johansson. The actress will play the character in several films, beginning with The Avengers: Infinity War in 2018, which brings the curtain on the Infinity War trilogy. Widow will appear alongside Iron Man, Captain America, and the rest of the Avengers as they face off against the mighty Thanos in his quest to collect all six Infinity Stones. It will be fascinating to see how Johansson’s portrayal of the character influences the portrayal in future films, and what direction the character ultimately takes, or whether she even survives the big showdown with Thanos.

While we’re used to seeing superheroes on the big screen, our obsession with virtual reality allows for a different take. Oculus is set to release their own version of the character in the upcoming virtual reality (VR) experience, Catwoman: Origins. Developed alongside Marvel and Warner Bros., the title puts you in the shoes of the iconic cat burglar as she evades law enforcement, while at the same time investigating the strange goings-on plaguing a mythical Midwestern city.

Harley Quinn

This is perhaps the most recognizable face in all of entertainment today, and beyond the big and small screens, Harley Quinn has graced the covers of multiple magazines, including Vanity Fair and Playboy. The character was first introduced to us in 1992, in Batman: Harley Quinn, and since then she’s appeared in almost every facet of popular culture, from games to theme parks. Now, in the wake of the Disney-Fox merger, we may see a standalone Harley Quinn movie, possibly even starring Jennifer Lawrence in the titular role. If so, expect this darkly comedic character to remain popular for many years to come.

Captain America

The Marvel Cinematic Universe will enter its next phase in two years with Avengers: Infinity War, opening up plenty of exciting possibilities for the future of this popular and distinctive character. The culmination of three years of story telling, the film will see an entire universe implode as the Avengers and the rest of Marvel’s heroes fight for their survival. The character of Captain America has been around since the early 1930s, and the tradition of the iconic ‘S’ shield continues with Tom Holland’s portrayal. The movie will see Cap lead the charge against many of Marvel’s biggest and most iconic villains as the United States stands united against the growing threat of Thanos.

Ironman

The Marvel Cinematic Universe will enter its next phase in two years with Avengers: Infinity War, opening up plenty of exciting possibilities for the future of this popular and distinctive character. The culmination of three years of story telling, the film will see an entire universe implode as the Avengers and the rest of Marvel’s heroes fight for their survival. The character of Ironman has been around since the early 1950s, and the tradition of the iconic ‘S’ shield continues with Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal. The movie will see Tony Stark lead the charge against many of Marvel’s biggest and most iconic villains as the United States stands united against the growing threat of Thanos.

While these are just some of the possibilities for the future of the DC Extended Universe, at the very least we can expect to see more heroes stepping up to protect the world and challenge tyranny, as we’ve come to know and love them for over 70 years.