Stories.
Sometimes too many can be bad (Spider Man 3). Sometimes too many can be good (TDKR). Simplicity is usually the way to go, however that does not always work either.
And a story does not have to take up an entire movie. The Dark Knight certainly wasn't about Harvey Dents transformation to Two-Face, but it still told us the story of it. However, a story can take up an entire movie. An example of this would be Jack Napier becoming and being the Joker in Batman (1989). The only other story in that movie was the forced romance between Vicki Vale and Bruce Wayne.
The following examples are stories I want to see in future Comic Book Movies. They don't have to be the basis for the entire film, but some undoubtedly will be. I will also provide how I would like them to be shown.
Planet Hulk
Why? A number of reasons. I want a Hulk sequel, I think most people do obviously. Also, it would not be the first time a movie like this was made, while John Carter certainly was not the success Disney wanted, Avatar proved the idea would work. Visually, the movie would be stunning in the right hands, and anybody who read the story arc could say tell you that the story was incredible.
How? This will undoubtedly have to be an entire movie, and while we did get an animated version (which I enjoy), a full length film would be monumental. I think this should be done after Avengers 2, and while I had intended on making this another idea for a story, I will just say it here. It would set up World War Hulk as the basis for Avengers 3, which is what I want.
Old Man Logan Why? Hugh Jackman is not getting any younger. He cannot keep doing reboots and prequels. And I like Jackman as Wolverine, I don't want to see him give the claws up just yet. Granted, this would be a pain in the ass to make. There are a million characters in this movie, and all the big ones belong to different studios. So needless to say some serious liberties will have to be taken with the source material. However, if the Nolan Batman movies have taught us anything, it is that as long as they make one hell of a good story, most people are fine with that.
How? You got me. I have no real idea how this would work. It would most likely have to be its own movie. And where would it fit in the established universes? I don't know, and to be honest, I don't care. I loved this story, and while the ending was a tad rushed, I was satisfied. This would fall into the category of "Why the hell not?" movies.
Riddlers Reform Why? The Riddler is one of the many rogues who was given terrible treatment by the Batman movies of the ninties. He was portrayed at the Joker in a green spandex suit. Not the methodical, obsessed, genius he is. I know I was supposed to believe that he was smart in Batman Forever, but I honestly thought Two-Face was smarter than him (then again I don't think anybody was actually smart in those movies, just less dumb than the others). Characters like Two-Face and Bane were redeemed. Now I think it is the Riddlers turn.
How? This certainly does not HAVE to be the main story for a Batman movie, but it could be. I see it more as the closing act. Nigma going for the kill with everything he has got, and falling short. And the worst part, he has no idea where it went wrong.
Finally...
The Thanos Quest (I had to use that image. It was too good to pass up.)
Why? Read my username, obviously I am biased towards Thanos, he is my favorite character in all of comics. Not just my favorite villain, my favorite character. And no story showcases Thanos better than The Thanos Quest. Yes, the Infinity Gauntlet displays how great he is as a villain, but The Thanos Quest shows why he is a great character. It displays his cunning, strength, wit, strategic skills, charm even! It is safe to say that not many people knew who the hell Thanos was when he appeared in the Avengers, so seeing The Thanos Quest would demonstrate why he was there and why everybody should be excited to see him.
How? Guardians of the Galaxy. This story does not have to be a full length movie (I would like it if it was though), But this can be explained in flashbacks and exposition. Or, it could occur concurrently during the movie, with the Guardians chasing him down. I'm not a movie maker, that is certain, but this is the story that made me the Thanos fan I am today. Everybody should read it. Or in this case, see it.
Thank you for reading this.