20 Marvel superheroes who deserve their own movies

Even with over 60 live action films and TV series based on Marvel characters available for public consumption it’s hard to believe how many heroes still haven’t gotten their chance in the spotlight. Some of the most popular Marvel heroes still haven’t appeared on the big or small screen outside of animated form. The reasons for this are wide and varied.

The still tangled web of different property rights is a major reason. Many of your favorite mutants are controlled by 20th Century Fox who is finally just beginning to explore the X-Men universe. Other characters are caught in a weird limbo of rights between Sony Pictures, who still controls the "Spider-Man" franchise, Fox and Marvel Studios. For instance, both Fox and Marvel had the right to use Quicksilver who turned up in two different movie incarnations within weeks of each other. It sort of worked and it sort of didn’t.

Also, unlike DC that is more than OK with duplicating characters on the big and small screen, Marvel is creating one gigantic interconnecting universe. That means shows like "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." and "Daredevil" can’t create their own versions of known Avengers characters without fans assuming that’s the definitive Black Knight or Moon Knight (more on them later) for all of Marvel. And, frankly, there may just be too many popular Avengers members and international heroes for Marvel to deal with when you have that particular strategy.

Keeping that in mind, here are 20 Marvel heroes most fans are still hoping to eventually see kicking ass in some form or another (assuming the powers at be can find the time to give them a home).

SEE ALSO: RANKED: The best Marvel superhero movies of the past 8 years

DON'T MISS: Stan Lee has made 31 cameos in the Marvel universe — here they all are

Nova

First appearance: "Nova #1," Sept. 1976

Real identity: Richard Ryder

Lowdown: Sure, the Nova Corps are alive and well in the "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie franchise, but the greatest Nova of them all, Richard Ryder, hasn’t stepped hd his moment yet (at least not that we know of). Ryder has an Avenger connection as a one-time member and has saved the Marvel comic book universe on his own more than once. Every kid wanted his super powers growing up (Flying through space! a constant force field! Energy blasters!) and he’s also that Marvel relatable twentysomething that’s now missing from the big screen back to being a Spider-Man a goofy teenager again.

Best Chance: Baring a surprise cameo in "Guardians Vol. 2," the best hope for Ryder is to debut in a space-themed future Marvel Studios endeavor such as "Avengers: Infinity War," a fourth "Thor" film or – and this seems the most likely – "Captain Marvel."

Note: Another hero took the mantle of Nova over the past decade, the undeniably adorable Sam Alexander. It would be great for Marvel to bring a hero with real Hispanic heritage such as Sam into the mix, but he may just be too similar in personality to the new Spidey to work at this time.

She-Hulk

First appearance: "Savage She-Hulk #1"

Real identity: Jennifer Walters

Lowdown: One of Marvel’s most powerful heroes, Bruce Banner’s cousin is a Hulk in control of her own body (there’s no Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde issue here) with a keen intelligence and sharp wit. Marvel figured out the best way to exploit the character by focusing on Walters background as a defense lawyer, but since her debut three decades ago She-Hulk has been a key member of the Avengers, the Fantastic Four and The Defenders. The fact Marvel Studios hasn’t found a way to introduce a hero so interconnected in its comic book universe is sort of head scratching.

Best Chance: Future "Avengers" film or "Captain Marvel" although we’re betting on the later. Walters’ friendship with Carol Danvers is the perfect opportunity to also bring in some of Marvel’s other powerful ladies including a number of other heroines on this list. A "Defenders" appearance isn’t out of the question, we’re just not sure even Netflix has the budget to pull a CG motion capture She-Hulk off for more than a scene or two.

Cable

First appearance: "New Mutants #87" (as Cable), 1990

Real identity: Nathan Summers

Lowdown: The long grown son of Scott Summers and Madelyne Pryor – wait for it – a clone of Jean Grey, Cable was raised in the far future for his own protection only to return to the present a man seemingly older than his father and with combat abilities no one could have fathomed. He also was visibly battle scared with a robotic right arm. He’s a character with the sort of convoluted history that gives screenwriters headaches, but that tragic background has helped turn him into a fan favorite with more solo titles than his pop Cyclops has ever had. The question is how do you introduce him into an established movie universe without a 10-minute long exposition explaining who he actually is and how he got to be that way?

Best Chance: Cable is set to appear in 20th Century Fox’s "X-Force" that has been in active development since 2013, but still doesn’t have a director or release date.  However, a post-credits scene for "Deadpool" says the character will appear in "Deadpool 2."