Action cinema is filled with iconic heroes who headline sprawling franchises and characters whose stories continue because audiences simply refuse to let them go. But for every John Wick or Ethan Hunt, there are equally cool action characters that only appeared in one film, despite having the kind of charisma, worldbuilding potential, or narrative momentum practically begging for a sequel.
Revisiting these one-off entries, which can be found on Netflix, Hulu, and more, is like finding a hidden room inside the action genre where each lead character left behind a blueprint for a franchise that never materialized, whether due to studio hesitation, box-office timing, marketing misfires, or simple bad luck. Here are six action movie characters that deserve their own franchise.
John Matrix – Commando (1985)
Commando comes from that glorious mid-'80s sweet spot when action movies were loud and unabashedly fun. The story follows former United States Army Special Forces colonel John Matrix (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who sets out to save his daughter, Jenny (Alyssa Milano), kidnapped by a dangerous group of mercenaries. The film sets up a world where John has an entire past filled with covert operations, old enemies, and former allies who could surface at any moment.
That alone is fertile ground for sequels or even modern spin-offs. The character also works for fans who love classic, quippy, explosive action that feels larger than life without tipping into outright parody. The movie is perfect for viewers who enjoy movies like Rambo: First Blood (1982), where the action feels personal. A sequel could have explored a darker mission or a new chapter in John's relationship with his daughter, but instead, he became the best franchise starter that never was.
Turkish – Snatch (2000)
While Snatch is primarily known for Guy Ritchie's direction and unforgettable ensemble cast, it's Turkish (Jason Statham) who quietly holds the film together. The movie follows two plots. The first is about the search for a stolen diamond, and the second centers on Turkish, a small-time boxing promoter who gets involved with a dangerous gangster. Although he isn't the flashiest character, he's the one with the most narrative potential.
Turkish operates at the crossroads between hustlers, thieves, and mobsters, which means the possibilities for follow-up stories are endless. His observant, always skeptical perspective makes him the perfect guide into the chaotic world of Snatch. Viewers who enjoy dialogue-driven, character-rich crime comedies like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels (1998) would easily follow Turkish through multiple sequels since his understated energy balanced the frantic pace of the film perfectly.
Evelyn Salt – Salt (2010)
Salt had all the ingredients of a long-running spy franchise with Angelina Jolie delivering one of her most commanding action performances as the titular Evelyn Salt, who tries to clear her name after being wrongfully accused of being a Russian sleeper agent. The movie builds an entire mythology around her identity, training, and loyalties, hinting at a bigger universe of sleeper agents and hidden agendas, which makes it even more surprising that Salt never returned for a sequel.
Salt is perfect for fans who love espionage thrillers like Mission: Impossible (1996) since it features a protagonist who can stand toe-to-toe with the genre's best. Evelyn is adaptable, intelligent, and constantly shifting between vulnerability and lethal precision. The character deserved more films because she represented a female-led action franchise with genuine international intrigue and complex motivations, which was rare at the time.
Major William Cage – Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Edge of Tomorrow's Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is one of the most popular action protagonists of the last decade because he breaks the mold. He doesn't start as a hardened soldier, but as a reluctant participant forced to evolve after getting trapped in a time loop. This premise is used to chart one of the most satisfying character arcs in modern action cinema. By the end of the story, Cage is a different man, setting the stage for an intriguing sequel that never happened.
The film is rich with potential for a follow-up. Humanity is on the brink of extinction, alien threats still exist, and Cage's altered relationship with time could open the door to new conflicts. His partnership with Rita Vrataski (Emily Blunt) is another angle that could be explored. Fans of sci-fi action movies like Oblivion (2013) would absolutely follow Cage into another adventure. Especially since his particular brand of heroism feels earned.
Holland March and Jackson Healy – The Nice Guys (2016)
The Nice Guys introduced viewers to two characters who deserved more than one movie. The story follows Holland March (Ryan Gosling) and Jackson Healy (Russell Crowe), who decide to work together when a teenage girl goes missing. Their chemistry is electric, but the film also establishes them as unlikely heroes operating in a heightened version of 1970s Los Angeles. Although the setting and the duo were begging to be revisited, a sequel never materialized.
The Nice Guys has the perfect tonal balance—part action, part noir mystery, and part buddy comedy, which will appeal to viewers who enjoy movies like Rush Hour (1998). March and Healy each carry their own emotional baggage, which makes their partnership funny and unexpectedly sincere. That complexity is precisely what made them such strong candidates for a franchise. They weren't just good detectives. They were the start of what could've been a great franchise.
Alita - Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
Alita: Battle Angel introduces viewers to a world full of cyborg warriors, aerial cities, underground competitions, and political intrigue. The story follows Alita (played through motion-capture by Rosa Salazar), a discarded cyborg girl who is pulled from a scrapyard. After she is revived, Alita remembers nothing of who she once was. As she relearns the world, her caretaker does everything he can to protect her from the dangerous truths buried in her past.
The film ends with Alita ready to confront even greater threats, making it clear her story is far from over. But a sequel never got off the ground, even though the movie appeals to fans of sci-fi and anime adaptations. Alita's greatest strength is her emotional sincerity because she's not defined by cynicism or vengeance. That kind of hero resonates across all types of audiences and genres, sort of like Atomic Blonde (2017). Alita isn't just ready for a sequel; she was built for one. Fingers crossed, Robert Rodriguez and James Cameron get it off the ground.
