Not everysuperheroproject can be a winner, and this is especially true on television. After all, eventhe high-budgeted Disney+ serieshave dropped out of public favor quite a bit. But they’re masterpieces compared to the series that follow, none of which made it past a finished pilot episode. This is why the following pilots aired only once, if at all, and then wereseldom seen or heard from again.
Would the following pilots have been able to correct their course if they were given a full first season? Maybe. But probably not. Each of these pilots (which, for the most part, have been reclassified as TV movies, even if the vast majority run for about 45 minutes) have some sort of flaw that proved fatal. Or, rather, flaws. Yet, for either Marvel or DC die-hards and those generally interested in TV swings-and-misses, there could be something about them worth watching at least once. Just don’t get too attached to the performers' takes on the characters, because this way lies inevitable disappointment.
10The Adventures of Superpup (1958)
Adventures of Supermanwasa fan-favorite hitback in the 1950s. From 1952 to 1958, specifically. And, when lead star George Reeves died under mysterious circumstances in 1959 (which is covered in the 2006 filmHollywoodland), those behind the show were scrambling to find a replacement. Thus, we haveThe Adventures of Superpup, a series that is exactly what it sounds like.
Initially, the idea was to continue the show without Reeves, instead focusing on Jack Larson’s character, Jimmy Olsen, with Superman’s presence done via stock footage of Reeves and the filming of a stunt double from behind. Larson rightly shot that down, but it’s arguably not the worst idea that was floated. That would be the person-in-dog-suits-ladenThe Adventures of Superpupwhich, like the less ridiculousThe Adventures of Superboy(1961), never made it past the pilot. In fact, neither aired at all, and they let creepy anthropomorphic human-sized dogs lie. The only upside is that Billy Curtis, a prolific actor who starred alongside Clint Eastwood inHigh Plains Drifter, lent his performance to the title character.
9Batgirl (1968)
Yvonne Craig was a fan-favorite presence on ABC’sBatman. And, considering she was in 26 of that show’s 120 episodes, she was a relatively stable one as well. Though, that was only in the third and final season, which may not have been enough to ingratiate her with audiences to the extent that she’d warrant her own show.
She Still Got Her Screentime
Unlike the other entries on this list,Batgirlwasn’t technically a pilot (or TV movie). It was an eight-minute short. On one hand, it was intended to show her as a viable addition to theBatmanshow. On the other hand, it was intended to launch her own solo show. So, consider it partially effective. At the very least, it introduced Yvonne Craig’s Batgirl to the world of television.
8Wonder Woman (1974)
Like other entries on this list, 1974’sWonder Womanfailed primarily because it strayed far from the established character. Instead of an Amazonian warrior princess, this ABC-intended pilot positioned Diana Prince as a female James Bond. It doesn’t work, even with Ricardo Montalbán hamming it up in the villain role.
Not the Linda Carter One
This wasn’t the first time a network would attempt to bring Wonder Woman to television. That said, the 1974 version didn’t exactly tank, considering the viewership ratings were described as “Respectable.” They just weren’t enough to cement it as a hit. At least, not the way theLynda Carter-frontedThe New Original Wonder Woman(which was more faithful to the source material) cemented itself in the eyes of fans and general audience members. Cathy Lee Crosby, at least, makes a valiant effort with the material she’s given.
7Dr. Strange (1978)
Perhaps Doctor Steven Strange was a bit much for television. This is especially true consideringDr. Strangehit screens back in the late ’70s. The character’s powers need not just solid special effects, but great ones. Even solid would be a major stretch for the 1978 TV movie.
Dr. Strangeaired on CBS, which also showed the more successfulThe Amazing Spider-ManandThe Incredible Hulkat the time. Suffice to say, it didn’t become the third part of the Marvel trifecta they were hoping for. A big part of the problem was that it largely lacked action (again, the special effects would need to be expensive). But, at least there wasArrested DevelopmentandArcher’s Jessica Walter in the villain role, and unsurprisingly, she’s the only one who hams it up effectively.
The Disney Avengers Animated Series That Never Released in the US
In the midst of all the Avengers movies that were released for the MCU, there was a very weird animation adaptation that never aired in the US.
6Captain America (1979)
The 1979Captain Americamade-for-TV movie wasn’t the last time the powers that be attempted to bring the character to the screen. After all, there was the widely-reviled 1990 movie, with Matt Salinger in the title role. And, while it’s a slight compliment, the 1979 TV movie, fronted by Reb Brown (who is better in the role than Salinger), was more highly regarded than that latter project — even if his costume was more than just a little ridiculous.
Technically Two Pilots
Admittedly,Captain Americais the most successful entry on this list. Because, in the same year, Reb Brown again starred as the title character inCaptain America II: Death Too Soon. Not to mention, while neither did particularly well in terms of ratings, it helped popularize Captain America’s use of a motorcycle, e.g. in the 2011 film’s action montage.
5Legends of the Superheroes (1979)
Like the same year’sCaptain America,Legends of the Superheroesactually got two specials. The variety show was loosely based on theSuper Friendsanimated series, which was airing at the same time. Hanna-Barbera Productions, the same studio behind the original animated series, even helped produceLegends of the Superheroes. But it didn’t take off the waySuper Friendsdid. Perhaps it was the awkward laugh track.
At Least There Were Some Familiar Faces
InLegends of the Superheroes’ favor, however, was the presence ofAdam West and Burt Ward, reprising their roles of Batman and Robin from the former’s ’60s series. One would think that element, along with the inclusion of such characters as Green Lantern and Captain Marvel (AKA Shazam) would be enough to make it a hit. But, when one special is about celebrating an elderly retired little-known superhero’s birthday and the latter an Ed McMahon-hosted superhero celebrity roast, it becomes a bit easier to see why it died after two weeks.
4Daredevil (1989)
The Incredible Hulkwas a big enough hit to have a run from 1978 to 1982. It was also a big enough hit to warrant not one but two TV movies, which featured the return of both Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby. Both of those TV movies were not only a chance for audiences to fall back in love with the portrayals of Dr. David Banner and the Hulk, but served as backdoor pilots for other Marvel heroes.
In the case of 1988’sThe Incredible Hulk Returns, it was for Thor. Suffice it to say, the results were lackluster and Thor came across as…silly. However,The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, in spite of its silly central concept, actually did well by the character it was attempting to further popularize:Daredevil. And, yet, it didn’t do well enough for Rex Smith’ssolid portrayal of Matt Murdockto get his own show.
3Generation X (1996)
Generation Xhit Fox a few years before Bryan Singer’sX-Menbrought superhero cinema into the aughts (before that there was really just Warner Bros.SupermanandBatmanmovies). It’s easy to see why the pilot, which eventually aired as a TV movie, wasn’t the one to popularize the mutants on a macro-scale. It looks cheap, it’s poorly-acted, and strays from the characters' endearing aspects.
Not Quite X-Men (2000)
Following protagonist Jubilee,Generation Xis essentially a troubled teenager show. Yet, there’s no Professor X there to guide her the way Patrick Stewart did for Anna Paquin in the film. Instead, it’s just second-rate characters like Emma Frost and Buff, none of whom are nearly iconic enough to make the show a hit. That said, at least they had the foresight to bring on Matt Frewer (Watchmen, Disney’sHercules) as the villain. Yet, not even his popular work asMax Headroomwas enough to garner viewership. Not great for a $4 million production. Though, to be fair, live-actionX-Men-related projects have never done particularly well on TV,even solid ones likeLegion.
2Justice League of America (1997)
CBS’Justice League of Americafollows a meteorologist who finds herself the benefactor of superpowers. And, because of that, she then finds herself experiencing a career shift, from weather prognosticator to member of the Justice League. Though, given that the city of New Metro is being held for ransom by a terrorist in possession of a bizarre weather control device, perhaps her two careers will merge after all.
Somehow Equally Silly and Serious
On top of the whole plot being oddly convenient,Justice League of Americawas panned on just about every front, from the quality of the performances to the horrendous costuming and special effects. Not to mention, by straying far from just about every source material version of the JL, it didn’t even please fans. It’s a mess, and even includes a creepy subplot with David Krumholtz (The Santa Clause,Sausage Party) as a man stalking Kim Oja’s lead.
The 20 Best Marvel Animated TV Series
From dark reimaginings to Saturday morning fun, plenty of Marvel’s animated TV shows have left their mark on pop culture.
1Wonder Woman (2011)
NBC’sWonder Womanis considered by some to be ahead of its time,including by lead star Adrianne Palicki herself. It was certainly star-studded, withJohn Wick’s Palicki,The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’s Cary Elwes,The Last of Us' Pedro Pascal,The Lost Boys' Edward Herrmann, andAustin Powers: International Man of Mystery’s Elizabeth Hurley all turning up in sizable roles. But, the 43-minute pilot never even aired.
Pedro Pascal Wasn’t Done with Wonder Woman
Critics who did manage to get a screener were far from impressed. Retrospective reviews are marginally more positive, but only marginally. And, yet, Pascal’s time with the IP wasn’t over, even if it took nearly a decade and a different role for him to return. But, didWonder Woman 1984really do any better?
