10 Supporting Movie Characters Who Deserve Their Own Spin-Off
These are the underappreciated sidekicks and charismatic supporting characters who truly deserve their time in the spotlight.
1. Saul Silver from "Pineapple Express" (2008)
In the realm of ridiculous plot lines, "Pineapple Express" reigns supreme with its stoner buddy-comedy chaos. Among its ensemble cast, Saul Silver, portrayed by James Franco, was an instant hit. Saul, the amiable, dreadlocked drug dealer who's into civil rights and grandmother's soup, could carry his own spin-off with a hilarious mix of botched drug deals and inadvertent heroics. I mean, who wouldn't want to see more of the guy who said, 'Look, only reason I started selling pot is so I could put my bubbe in a nice retirement home'.
The film was a box office success, raking in over $100 million worldwide, and Franco's eccentric performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination. It would be a hoot to watch Saul's misadventures, perhaps throwing in some backstory about his family and, of course, his favorite strain of weed.
2. Olaf from "Frozen" (2013)
I know, I know, it sounds too on the nose. But let's face it, Olaf, the lovable snowman voiced by Josh Gad in Disney's "Frozen" franchise, has been melting hearts since his introduction. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 90% for the first film and a worldwide box office gross of over $1 billion, a standalone feature focusing on Olaf's life before or after Elsa's icy touch could be a blast. And wouldn't you love to see more of his hilariously naive understanding of the world, which had kids and adults alike in stitches?
3. Samwise Gamgee from "The Lord of the Rings" (2001-2003)
Samwise Gamgee, the brave hobbit played by Sean Astin in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is the epitome of an unsung hero. Sam, who began as Frodo Baggins' gardener, ended up being one of the bravest characters in the entire series. His loyalty and courage carried the duo through many trials, and it was Sam who ultimately ensured the success of their mission.
Considering the trilogy made a whopping $2.9 billion at the box office, there's a sizeable audience who'd love to see more of Sam's adventures, maybe charting his life in the Shire post-ring or even his ascension to Mayor. After all, Frodo did tell him, 'You're the real hero here, Sam'. Take notes, Amazon.
4. Luna Lovegood from "Harry Potter" franchise (2007-2011)
Out of the vast magical world of the Harry Potter series, Luna Lovegood, portrayed by Evanna Lynch, stands out as a truly singular character. With her radish earrings, dreamy demeanor, and unique perspective on the wizarding world, Luna made a huge impact despite her limited screen time. The series has been a global sensation, both in book and movie forms, and Luna became a fan favorite for her quirky charm and courage.
A Luna-centric spin-off would provide an alternative view of Hogwarts, filled with her belief in fantastical creatures and strange magic. Plus, we could finally learn what happened to Luna after the Battle of Hogwarts. Did she continue hunting for Crumple-Horned Snorkacks? We'd love to find out!
5. Luis from "Ant-Man" (2015)
Marvel's charming chatterbox, portrayed by Michael Peña, has given us some of the MCU's most hilarious moments with his rapid-fire, off-kilter storytelling. "Ant-Man," despite being one of the lesser-known Marvel franchises, still made a big buzz at the box office with a worldwide gross of $519 million.
In fact, Luis's recap scenes were so popular that fans clamored for him to summarize the entire MCU. Why not give him his own spin-off? It could involve him getting involved in some outlandish, low-stakes heist, all narrated in his unique, frenetic style. Plus, Peña's infectious energy and comedic timing are just begging for more screen time. Everything would be better than that disaster of a movie that Ant-Man 3 ended up being.
6. Elle Driver from "Kill Bill" (2003-2004)
As part of Quentin Tarantino's ultra-violent revenge saga, "Kill Bill," Daryl Hannah's portrayal of the cold and cunning Elle Driver left an indelible mark. Elle, an assassin who shares a deep rivalry with the protagonist, Beatrix Kiddo, manages to bring a certain charm to her ruthlessness. Given Tarantino's penchant for creating multi-dimensional characters, a spin-off focusing on Elle's backstory and life post-"Kill Bill" (assuming she survived, of course) would be tantalizing. Considering "Kill Bill" raked in a total of $333 million worldwide, and has an 85% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience for more sword-slashing, eye-popping action certainly exists.
7. Ian Malcolm from "Jurassic Park" (1993)
This might seem like a strange choice, but just bear with me. "Jurassic Park," the blockbuster that became a phenomenon and later a franchise, showcased a gem of a character in the form of Ian Malcolm, played by Jeff Goldblum. He's the wisecracking mathematician who steals scenes with his offbeat humor and that iconic chuckle.
The film, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 92%, sparked a series of sequels, but none focused on Malcolm's post-dino-trauma life. Imagine a spin-off centered around him, using his chaos theory to solve complex problems, all the while dealing with the absurdity of having survived a dinosaur-infested island. Behind the scenes, Goldblum was known for improvising much of Malcolm's dialogue, which added to the character's unique charm.
8. Roman Pearce from "Fast & Furious" series (2003-present)
Tyrese Gibson's Roman Pearce is one of the most consistently hilarious characters in the "Fast & Furious" franchise. His banter, fear of danger despite being in a high-risk environment, and constant hunger provide some of the series' lightest moments. With the franchise's box office total exceeding $5 billion globally, the appetite for more high-octane, car-centric action is undeniable. A Roman spin-off could explore his life before teaming up with Dom's crew, his early racing days, or even an unexpected mission where Roman has to be the hero, combining the franchise's signature action with Roman's comical antics.
9. M'Baku from "Black Panther" (2018)
"Black Panther" brought the nation of Wakanda to life, and within that rich tapestry of characters, M'Baku, portrayed by Winston Duke, shone brightly. M'Baku is the leader of Wakanda's mountain tribe, the Jabari, who initially challenges T'Challa for the throne, then becomes an important ally. The film received a 96% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed over $1.3 billion worldwide. Given Duke's powerful performance and the rich cultural landscape of Wakanda, a M'Baku spin-off could explore the traditions, conflicts, and politics of the Jabari tribe, offering a fresh perspective on Wakanda's story.
10. Detective "Dignam" from "The Departed" (2006)
Wahlberg's brash, no-nonsense cop was a scene-stealer, dishing out some of the film's best lines with unfiltered Bostonian brio. Wahlberg's performance earned him an Oscar nomination, and the film itself won the Best Picture award. A spin-off focusing on Dignam's career in the Boston Police Department, his interaction with its colorful characters, and his relentless pursuit of justice could offer an intriguing mix of gritty crime drama and dark humor.