Even though the DC Extended Universe started out more than six years ago in 2013, we haven’t seen many couples come out of it. The films were much more focused on being dark in presentation, but now that some diversity in storytelling is showing up perhaps we’ll be seeing more quality romance.
For the time being, though, let’s take a look at how the couples that have shown up in the series have fared. In this list, we’ve considered the chemistry between the characters, the impact their relationship had on each other as well as others, and how the audience reacted to their coupling.
Accepted: Lois and Clark
In recent times, Lois’ characterization in animated features had people put off due to her being shown as someone who was so into her career that she treated Clark Kent like dirt, and only liked Superman because he kept saving her life all the time.
However, the DCEU version has stood out by having Lois be first and foremost in love with Clark, not Superman. This has led to fans praising the chemistry between Amy Adams and Henry Cavill as the two coming across as lovebirds in a crazy superhero universe.
Rejected: Rick Flag And Enchantress
What was there to like about this couple? Actually, why were these two a couple in the first place? There was no need for these characters to get together other than giving Rick Flag a reason to exist in Suicide Squad. And yes, we’re calling her Enchantress here because June had nothing to offer the viewers to make them care about her.
Basically, the coupling of Rick Flag and Moon was an informed part of the story, not a justified one. Both characters went completely wasted in the film, and it would’ve been better if they hadn’t been affiliated.
Accepted: Steve And Diana
Ah yes, by far the best couple to come out of the DC Extended Universe. Wonder Woman could be considered part-period film, part-war movie, and part-love story between Steve and Diana. If there was a personification of star crossed lovers in the DCEU, then you’re looking at them right now.
The two had the classic meet-cute you see in romantic comedies, but evolved into a deeper tale of forbidden love meets unbearable sacrifice. They had such a pure love for one another that the eventual sacrifice of Steve left no eye dry upon first viewing. Fortunately, we’ll be seeing more of them in Wonder Woman 1984.
Rejected: Jor-El And Lara Lor-Van
There wasn’t anything outright bad about these two, but fans have been vocal in their displeasure at not having seen much of anything concerning Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van. All we knew of them was that they were married and sent off their son to Earth before they died.
Rather than the romance part, it was the fact that these two didn’t come across as a viable counterpart to Jonathan and Martha Kent as Clark’s parental figures. Jor-El just looked like a simulated guide, while Lara wasn’t seen again. Another appearance of them together would save this couple in the fans’ eyes if we ever get Man of Steel 2.
Accepted: Orm And Mera
Well, why wouldn’t you want to reject this couple when the film itself wanted you to see them as an awful pairing? Still, they can be considered as being together because Mera was betrothed to Orm at one point.
Aquaman could have done a better job at making a possible marriage between the two as believable, though, because no-one saw them going through even a forced wedding during the film. Had that taken place in the movie, then the whole angle would have fallen flat as there was hardly any contact between the two characters.
Rejected: Thomas And Martha
Almost the same as it went in the case of Superman’s parents, Bruce’s didn’t have anything to make us feel bad for them. While every iteration of Batman has shown Bruce to be closer to Thomas Wayne, he does absolutely love his mother as well.
However, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice killed them off just when they showed up on screen, which makes you think that literally any other characters could have been there and it wouldn’t have made any difference. Ideally, there should have been flashbacks to times before Bruce was even born for the audience to understand that Thomas and Martha were a perfect couple out to do good in the world.
Accepted: Arthur And Mera
A character like Aquaman wouldn’t have fallen in love with a girl who had a delicate personality, so Mera was the right choice as his love interest. She was pretty much Arthur in personality as well, being fierce and loyal to the bone.
Mera also brought in with her some much-needed level-headedness, something that Arthur severely lacked. The ending of Aquaman proved the two as a battle couple, one that would shine very bright in a possible Justice League Part Two now that we’re all behind them as a romantic but fearsome duo.
Rejected: Tom And Atlanna
The problem with this coupling was that quite a bit of the fanbase found it all too convenient. Aquaman put a lot of effort in trying to make their love come across as pure, but there’s no denying everything was clearly written in for Arthur to be born but then be raised without his mother.
Everyone and their dog (or fish?) knew that Tom and Atlanna would inevitably be reunited by the film’s end, so there was no running away from the feeling that the love story here was orchestrated using a predictable formula.
Accepted: Bruce And Diana
Crazy thing is that these two never even became a couple in the DCEU, but there isn’t anyone who would be against this becoming canonical. As was the case in the DC Animated Universe, Bruce and Diana had a clear case of chemistry.
Their interactions in Dawn of Justice were oozing with romantic tension, and Justice League carefully elaborated on this by showing their mutual respect and trust for one another. It only needed a movie or two before they were ready to make things truly romantic, so it’s a real shame it won’t be coming true now that Ben Affleck has left the scene as Batman.
Rejected: Harley and the Joker
Before Suicide Squad’s release, you could easily find fangirls swooning over this relationship because they thought Harley and Joker were “#relationshipgoals”, but the film’s lackluster portrayal of the two turned viewers off of them.
Joker only came across as a loony loverboy, while Harley was way more interesting when she wasn’t playing his lackey. This feeling was so strong within the fanbase, that the studio put away with Joker entirely and brought Harley as her own character in the upcoming Birds of Prey. Now seemingly free of the Joker, we’re excited to see what Harley can achieve on her own without being shown to be pining for an idyllic love story.
