17 villains from superhero movies who were wasted in spite of great potential

Modified Jan 22, 2025 17:53 ET

Steppenwolf – Justice League (2017) | Image Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

15. Ares – Wonder Woman (2017)

Ares – Wonder Woman (2017) | Image Source: Warner Bros. Pictures

Ares, the god of war, was an interesting concept as Wonder Woman's final antagonist, controlling the wars of humanity. But his unmasking as Sir Patrick Morgan was anticlimactic, and the final battle lacked the emotional depth that the film had built up. David Thewlis did a good job, but the character was not fully developed as a philosophical opposite to Diana. Ares’ complex motivations and his impact on Diana’s worldview could have added layers to the story. Instead, the climactic fight relied on CGI-heavy action, missing the chance to explore the moral dilemmas of war and peace.