DC Comics' Powerless - Unaired Pilot (with Vanessa Hudgens, Alan Tudyk and Danny Pudi)

The original "Powerless" pilot was shown and acclaimed at the 2016 San Diego Comic Con and later discarded by NBC, that changed the whole series plot for the other 12 episodes of the first (and only) season. The show was originally created by Ben Queen, that quit the job after creative conflicts with NBC.
"Powerless" is the first sitcom set in the DC Comics universe. Vanessa Hudgens stars as Emily Locke, who works at an insurance company who specialize in superhero-related claims. When her kindly boss is killed in - you guessed it - a superhero battle, Emily is none to happy to meet his replacement, Del Heller (Alan Tudyk). Coldhearted and exploitive, every move Del makes infuriates Emily, who begins to push back hard.
Visit our website for more: www.vanessahudg...​​
Follow us!
• www.fotos.vanes...​​
• / vahudgensbr​​
• / vahudgensbra. .
• / vanessahudgens​​
----------
#Powerless #VanessaHudgens #DCComics

[@DrFranklynAnderson]

21:34 Oh my goodness… she hit him with a yellow chair with wooden legs. The ‘40s Green Lantern was weak to wood, and the ‘60s version’s weakness was anything colored yellow. Easily the best easter egg in here!

[@hoochiecoochie571]

Plus if he wasn't wearing his ring at the time he'd just be a regular guy.

[@sk8erschultz88]

We still have that yellow chair lol

[@RLucas3000]

She hit him with the one thing in the office that doesn’t prove he was or wasn’t GL, which is hilarious. He looks like Superman to me though.

[@howardbeatman2820]

That was singer/actress Kate Minucci with the chair!

[@vj9021]

@@RLucas3000 Agree, thought they were linking her to Supergirl show with CK. Can't find more episodes so maybe a RR look would have worked better.

[@PrimateSoul]

Marketing was horrible for this show! Cant believe I randomly found it on the Cw app 5 years later!

[@NelsonVlog66]

NBC dropped the ball when it came to promoting the show. IIRC, NBC executives kept moving it around the primetime schedule. Hard to get ratings for a show when very few people know about it or when it's on. Should have been on The CW as part of the Arrowverse. Might have had a better chance there.

[@pablothecoffeelover2551]

I have no idea it existed if I’m being honest

[@Howyaduing]

@@NelsonVlog66”MIGHT” is a strong word but I doubt it would’ve done any better.

[@immersivemods9975]

right!? didnt even hear ab it just now found out.

[@ThePartisan13]

I literally had no clue this was a thing until like 5 minutes ago randomly at the bottom of my recommendations list.

[@roberthoward5015]

How in the hell was this not picked up and expanded on.. we need this show in our lives now more than ever..

[@fueltheunusual]

It was picked up had 1 season 12 episodes it was not that great 😕

[@Togemon5]

The major difference between this pilot and the one that is, is that the character Vanessa Hudgens plays in a fish out of water. In the air pilot character is meant to be from what they call “a fly over town”, which basically means that the heroes fly over that town. So for example when Crimson Fox saved the train everyone else is it moaning and groaning, acting like not again while Emily excited to see her first superhero, even taking a selfie of her and the superhero. They even have a scene where Emily basically said “You don’t see that everyday” to which the passenger next to her goes “Yes yes you do”. Alan Tudyk is playing Van Wayne Bruce Wayne’s cousin. Ron Funches was not in the unaired pilot. Basically, the plot of the actual show is that the characters work for a subdivision of Wayne Enterprises making gadgets to help every day citizens survive heroes battle.

[@killnotic]

@@fueltheunusual I low-key hated it in the beginning and only stuck around because I loved Alan Tudyk, who was consistently good in it. The show did improve significantly after the first six episodes when the characters and tone solidified, but by then, it was too late. It was a shame because it got wickedly clever towards the end of its run, and I was invested.

[@scottbittner5504]

NBC is known for 1 season episode and then cancel. Constatine was an NBC that was awesome but cancelled by NBC after 1 season.

[@Jamie_E_Pritchard]

@@scottbittner5504 I don't think they even let Constantine get a full length season, which was a shame as it was shaping up to be really good.

[@MrColeslaw]

Cool to see this finally shared!! I was the one who sent the pilot - ripped it from a promotional DVD I got on eBay a few years back. Looks to be MAYBE the same disc screened at Comic Con 2016? Shares the same box art, anyway. Hope everyone enjoys the discovery as much as I did!

[@hezekiahramirez6965]

Thank you so much!

[@gapsule2326]

Thank you for your service.

[@AbbaStudios]

I saw this at Comic Con and loved it, along with the audience.

[@Knight3rrant]

MrColeslaw, you just earned your Honorary Hero medal from the Justice League.

[@safiremorningstar]

Thank you...

[@danieljames6899]

Unbelievable how after all these years it still holds up, honestly I prefer this version to the one they then aired

[@_WillCAD_]

I like the series version better because of the different office - better to be a tech group making things to protect against super battles than an insurance company with Van constantly trying to stop payments. He'd never have become a sympathetic character that way, he'd be a straight-up villain through the whole show. I do wish Kate had stuck with the show, though. I love her. I mean, not like, LOVE love, I just mean I really enjoy her performances. Sorry Kate, if you ever read this. NOT A STALKER, I PROMISE!

[@wildfire160]

I liked this but i remember the version they aired as being awful...

[@r.c.auclair2042]

I never saw the version they aired. What happened? What changed?

[@wildfire160]

@@r.c.auclair2042 A lot ...it was actually less serious and a company making protection devices not insurance it just felt different...the effects and a lot of scenes were identical along with the cast

[@danieljames6899]

@@r.c.auclair2042 In short, the aired episode had more action and superhero related vibes, while the unbroadcast episode was more of a traditional sitcom with a lighter atmosphere focused on interpersonal dynamics.

[@Jean-Paul-Lane-Valley]

This is how the MCU should have handled Damage Control, intead of turning them into villains.

[@uchihabomber1296]

100% they could’ve made this a Damage Control Show

[@Jean-Paul-Lane-Valley]

@@uchihabomber1296 - And it would have been more likely to feature more well known characters.

[@kumohara_319]

100% and THAT is more in line with the Damage Control mini series from the 80s!

[@pricejapanjapan1159]

MCU going to change them after secret wars

[@larryfoulkeofficial8609]

​@@uchihabomber1296they were going to but it was cancelled

[@charoulla2]

OK I love this plot way better than the one they eventually went for! Like if they went with this plot the show might not have been cancelled after one season!

[@xVenom1976x]

I agree, maybe they couldn’t figure out how to make it work in this format but I liked it.

[@permiek]

I have to agree. The show creator left after this pilot was made and they went in a different direction.

[@ebaerco1659]

$10⁹°

[@ebaerco1659]

Whites!

[@Mistwolfss]

While I haven't seen the original this does seem really good

[@khaily6645]

If this was aired today it would have been a hit; this gives me the Good Place vibes Update: the show should have aired on the CW when they were at their prime with the Arrowverse.

[@BeyondTomorrowNow]

yes! you're right, we need this show made today, it would be a breath of fresh air

[@darkangellew]

The good place boys lol

[@LordEpicMusic]

🎯​@@darkangellew

[@LordEpicMusic]

📠👌🏾

[@brandonliwanag2251]

I love the good place!!!

[@JohnCenaIsMyDad]

this version is incredible. scrapping it when it got so much acclaim was an odd decision. really prefer this version even tho i love the one they released, but this is way better to me

[@sleepinggorilla]

Funny that this was the actual concept of the She-Hulk comic. A lawyer who settled claims from damage caused by super-hero battles. Show casing has-been villains like Polka Dot man. I saw the regular series and wondered how they could misuse Dani Pudi so badly. He was an entirely different character.

[@danielle.spence-tidd6967]

She-Hulk was an criminal attorney. She was shot by a crime lord's henchmen. Luckily her cousin Bruce found her, gave her a transfusion, and saved her life. He didn't tell her about him being infected by gamma rays and turning into the Hulk so she found out later.

[@mathewguglielmi8451]

The pilot episode is better and funnier than the series we got. Nice reference to the Christopher Reeves Superman films with Marc McLure cast as Joe McNally and Super Friends references with Wendy and Martin. If only the network didn't interfere!

[@Michael_Ian_Blackface]

The algorithm works in weird ways... Why would a show where the bad guy is an insurance boss who wants to deny all claims pop up in my feed, now of all times?

[@DavidAnderson-m5c]

Absolutely no coincidence whatsoever.

[@CommentingCommenter]

I learned of Powerless recently and from what I've seen, this pilot is a lot more entertaining than the final version. If DC ever decides to make something similar to Powerless again, they should do something more like this. That or a show (maybe animated) where every episode follows a different kind of everyday thing but from the view of a superhero world, like one episode takes place in a school where we see the history teacher talk about how the JSA and Freedom Fighters fought the Axis powers in WW2, while the science class talks about sci-fi tech and the multiverse even having a periodic table with kryptonite and such on it.

[@JamesBoxxy]

Yeah, I love the idea about everyday people in a superhero world! Could work well, but I wouldn't trust DC (Warner/Discovery) to make a decent job of it with the current leadership and repeated corporate interference in the creative process... 👍

[@CommentingCommenter]

@@JamesBoxxy I know what you mean.

[@olasubomioduwoye3452]

Yh or they could continue this powerless idea on this company being funded by wayne tech and work on yours as an anthology series

[@mrizwan7566]

That pilot was perfect, this could be one of the best shows, but the aweful change in story, whoever did these changes deserve a special place in hell.

[@AbbaStudios]

They screened this at San Diego Comic Con and we loved it. I was surprised and heartbroken when I saw the disaster that aired. They missed their opportunity for a hit show.

[@chazarcola7639]

POWERLESS deserves to be remembered as a One Season Wonder. Like FIREFLY. 👍

[@timothymarkin4481]

With Alan Tudyk in both!

[@deeennis5641]

Way better pilot. Totally enjoyed the originals fun vibes but this one makes me wish this was still on going and in this direction.

[@Daniel-jm8we]

I didn't mean to sit through the whole episode. But it hooked me. I loved this!

[@s.k.zuidema2873]

I don’t know why I clicked on it either but I stayed 😂😂

[@jakerobinson9475]

So I think the actors playing the twins weren’t that funny and Jackie was funnier in the actual show, but everything else worked and the actual premise of the original pilot was better than what we got. Having Emily be a more cynical character who is tired of superheroes makes her more interesting than the “new girl to the city” archtype she was in the show, her relationship with Teddy seemed more genuine and fun, and Emily’s job also would have provided a chance for writers to tell a few morally complex stories alongside the comedy though I do understand that her job in the show likely made it easier to come up with jokes. Thanks for uploading this, I really feel that Powerless was two or three years too early and might have had more success on a streaming service.

[@smittymet]

Great point. Her being irritated by the randomness of living in a world full of super people, while working at insuring regular people makes so much more sense. Gives her an actual purpose to fulfill. Even more, it makes her a hero to people who need help after the battles. Terrible choice to make her new girl, naive to the big city. Still bummed the show didn't stick. It should've been a CW show instead of NBC.

[@Jamie_E_Pritchard]

@@smittymet I wouldn't wish CW on ANY show, lol

[@TrentvsTheWorld]

NBC really fcked this great show over

[@marktheshark7588]

True.

[@bashengatheblackmanta7003]

Nbc was a bad place for this show same for Constantine and supergirl show,

[@michaelaldredge-greenwell1692]

Alan Tudyk is so freaking cute, adorable, & talented.

[@awalker1980]

If this pilot had aired instead of what we got, this show would still be on the air.

[@NelsonVlog66]

The Crimson Fox and Jack-o'-lantern should have their own spinoff. They could be the stragglers of the DC Universe.

[@Howyaduing]

If anything they should’ve given the lesser known heroes, their own shows on TV and the big-time heroes like Superman Batman wonder woman the movies

[@soccerojdoj]

No. Powerless' The Crimson Fox & Jack-o'-Lantern should be married without knowing their true identities...

[@thejoshuascales]

Emily literally hit Crimson Fox with the Hancock line “Why couldn’t you just go straight up with the car?” lol

[@fitzytail896]

This pilot is way better than the one they aired. I liked the character's personality more too.

[@animatsuri]

2 years after this was posted and it finally showed up in my feed. 8 years later and no one has tried to do a show with a similar plot.

[@venom5552111]

Not exactly, theres a show called Power by PlayStation

[@jeromebenton6624]

This Show is Awesome! Please bring it back!!!!

[@HeidiLynOVeran]

Same please lIlove Emily Locke❤

[@marktheshark7588]

Agreed.And it would be a perfect fit for James Gunn DCU.

[@e.keough2975]

This is so much better than what the show turned out to be. The leads are actually likable and funny here.

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

Hudgens was kind of playing against type here, and it worked better.

[@darknexus6720]

The aired pilot had an element of "fun" to it through the laboratory element with analyzed inventions in a manner that was witty and charming. Plus, it had another character in it who was better at humor along with a different approach for the Teddy character. I can understand why they did not go with this version of the pilot for that reason. However, some of the problems in the show like that stupid boss still exist.

[@dcloud3791]

I enjoyed the original show. But would’ve loved for this to be the thing too!

[@datscrazy4095]

This is actually a really cool concept

[@Grantonioful]

"did I say blonde? I meant blind." Touches his face.

[@marc21256]

11:00 Alan's "giggle" is the same giggle as King Candy from Wreckit Ralph.

[@sidetracked5044]

This looked great. Such a shame it didn’t go forward.

[@donosborne9398]

This was a great show. It should still be going today. There will always be the citizens' side of every story to tell.

[@TheSteviejaymack]

This was basically a lovely Community episode from another universe, I loved it

[@adriant1946]

The unaired pilot is SOOO much better than the premise of the actual show.

[@tarzanbonanno]

This was so much better than what I remember from the show we got

[@TheAtomicPunk-f7y]

4:04 The Best DC Opening Smallville Opening is More Classic But this one is Better

[@ren1819]

Thanks for the upload... after stumbling upon this show again... it is nice to see how things would have turned out... with a different plot.

[@heroineburgh]

Glad to see this pilot made available. I posted it in on a discussion board so others could see it. It's great that the Crimson Fox interaction was longer here...but also helps me to notice that this is an early instance of Overpowerment Syndrome (which KZbinrs comment on a lot these days). I realize they need a character who could lift a train, but in the comics, Crimson Fox is an ordinary human (actually, twins) who has fighting agility, sharp claws, and wears a pheromone that can mesmerize men (she's the CEO of a perfume company). Extremely sexy, in one "Checkmate" comic, she even exposes her breasts to a villain in order to discombobulate him so another heroine can attack. She also doesn't live in Cleveland (Charm City) or even America, but is in France, as a member of Justice League Europe. So, the name and costume are recognizable, but everything else belongs to another character. If they couldn't use Supergirl or Wonder Woman, they probably should have used a character like Maxima or Power Girl instead, or maybe even Insect Queen. Anyone who was American-based and had actual super strength of some kind.

[@JohnCenaIsMyDad]

not everything needs to be a direct translation of the comics. that's why it's called an adaptation and in DC's case, a multiverse. you're rarely going to get a 1:1 translation of everything from a comic book

[@heroineburgh]

@@JohnCenaIsMyDad But you can get closer, or farther away. And your adapation can be about true creativity, or about ideological agenda. For example, Geoff Johns supervises the stories of the Stargirl TV show, which are obvious adaptations of the Blue Valley stories in the comics. But they are driven by creativity and entertainment, not by agenda.

[@user-te5nh3li3f]

@@JohnCenaIsMyDad yeah but if you change literally all except the name at that point just make up a new character right?

[@RLucas3000]

They could have made her Black Orchid, no one has bought her!

[@saudarareza1327]

It's the same case with : > Helena Kyle/Huntress in Birds of Prey series 2002, where she is half metahuman with ability to turn her eyes into form like feline.. & get physical condition near superhuman. Meanwhile in the comic.. she just ordinary human with combat & hunting training. > Hawkman in Black Adam movie (2022) strong enough to throw a car. Meanwhile in other shows.. he's never been display to be that strong.

[@Tomchow0617]

It is wayyyyy better than what finally aired

[@saudarareza1327]

you mean The Boys season 4?

[@brucenatelee]

I actually do remember this show called Powerless. Didn't know it was a DC show and forgot Vanessa Hudgens was in it.

[@starhawke380]

Its too bad this show didnt get more attention, I enjoyed every episode. Now that Ive seen the unaired pilot, I need to clarify that Im glad the final version of the show got made, and not this one... Working for Wayne Security and making gadgets that Batman ends up using and them being clueless was way more funny.

[@marktheshark7588]

Agreed.The show was underrated.And it would be a perfect fit for James Gunn's DCU.

[@MineKurtMininer]

Gabriella and Abed? i'm sold

[@LadyEveGuyBoiman]

Thanks for uploading ❤

[@jameslucero01]

This was Incredible. Why can't Hollywood recognize true creativity. Great Cast and Great writing! Thank You all for a Most Excelent 23 min of my life. We shoulda had more!

[@GHOSTHOUSEJD]

Everytime u sit down, you might as well be smoking crake 😂😂😂😂

[@TheNameisPlissken1981]

06:40 - I thought the blond was going to say, "Another plus about Aquaman...he doesn't mind the smell of fish."

[@funkyjohnhuie]

This pilot was fantastic. Sorry to see more episodes weren't made.

[@darrylwiggins4799]

How in the hell did I miss this gem?It should still be on the air.

[@ethansloan]

Much better than the actual show. Would've preferred to see where this went.

[@boodaddytvs]

this is the tone SHE HULK should have had

[@warrenstainthorp285]

Great acting, really loved it!

[@jimidando]

still the most underrated show with probably the best lead up to an intro and then a perfect intro. Still get shivers.

[@spettacomedy6631]

I wonder if Luigi Mangione saw this.

[@rickfakhre2400]

My first thought as well.

[@EC-ol8nz]

Alan Tudyk 05:08 is such a talented and versatile actor! But.... I didn't know he was soo Tan and soo Tall ??? 🤔 But I am new to this planet and have so much to learn 🤣🤣🤣🤣 JK Surprised how low-key inventive this show is :)

[@timetunneltravel]

Alan Tudyk says he's 5' 11'' and a half. In his other appearances, they usually have lead actors who are taller than he is.

[@gamecitysavior2910]

Vanessa PLEASE COME BACK TO DC!!!

[@BGatts666]

The intro music is really good.

[@robertporter6683]

Alan tudyk makes a great villain.

[@johnwang9914]

I had so much hope for this pilot when it aired...

[@THRobinson]

Wow... this was a totally different idea from what the series actually ended up being. Same actors, totally different characters and situation.

[@Explore-earth-4x4]

If i had a boss like that, id start OKing every claim without even reading it.

[@jamesdeananderson1411]

Vanessa Hudgens was perfect in this. The whole pilot was well-casted and well-written. Too bad the RetCon corporation got ret-conned. Guessing this was done by Warner Bothers. Ugh...

[@anthonyconley1267]

Its wild that people believe this show would have been better this way. I am surprised it was picked up at all with this pilot. I did love what they ended up doing tho.

[@SamLee-ur7xl]

Wow, just came across this over the Labor day weekend. Nicely done.

[@angelelixir07]

It’s Troy and Abed in the moooorning.

[@iunderstanphotography2780]

I actually used to watch Powerless and it was where I discovered Vanessa Hudgens and Ron Funches. It reminded me of a comedic Damage Control; people who have to deal with the mes created by super heroes/villains

[@rosemarywilliams9969]

That was an adorable episode. ❤Thank You for sharing it🤗

[@Aquamarine333]

This is amazing!!! I love this idea of a show centered around the people dealing with the effects of superhero attacks and stuff. This is GENIUS. I hope this gets picked up.

[@Ragernok]

i really liked this show and wish it didnt end. I hope netflix or some other streaming service revives it

[@larrygilbert7273]

Better than most of the DC movies that have been produced.

[@spartanmediaworks]

I'm only 10 minutes in and already this would have been a way better story if they had gone with this pilot that show would probably still be on now. Especially with the James Gunn approach to humanizing all the characters

[@baxatakbaxatak2014]

This pilot is what the show should have been. Hudgens was better playing against type here with the “been there done that” attitude. Turning her into Leslie Knope made me lose interest.

[@markboss1398]

thank you for uploading - i love this show

[@NlkOzD64]

Interesting concept. Might have watched it, if I had the opportunity. As for the "Hero" thing, not every "Hero" wears a fancy outfit or cape, or uses powerful weapons etc. They are "Joe Public", the local Fireman, Policeman, Nurse Doctor etc. People who save peoples lives on a regular basis WITHOUT being recognised or acknowledged. THEY are the REAL Heroes.

[@mikesmithz]

Sure thing Homelander

[@PaulDriverPlus]

I liked this, it's a pity it was scrapped.

[@AlecSorensen]

Charming and fantastic cast. Sorry we missed this.

[@aidanquinn2282]

I love the cast. I know the boss as mr.nobody from doom partrol

[@timothymarkin4481]

Also on Resident Alien, another comic book show, and best known as Wash on Firefly!

[@stainedglasspixie]

This definitely had potential.

[@zanessafan6351]

This is so good! Love it

[@Vickyvee97]

Thank you for this!

[@erictaylor5863]

i def would have watched this show

[@BigFlusteredMess]

You still can

[@WalterMallardPhotography]

This is great! I loved it! Thank you!

[@kimberleywilliams7802]

OMG I used to LOVE this show and then they canceled iiiiit I forgot how much I liked it.

[@wesschmunk5783]

If they would have kept with this vibe, I would still be watching it…

[@jyesucevitz]

i was sad the series failed. i wasnt crazy about venessa's character though. everyone else was great. alan and daniel though? c'mon son! they were outstanding.

[@lockhartlucis]

3:26 somebody supervillain Arc 😂

[@Cchisox3]

This pilot was way better than what they aired

[@Ratpick79]

I always liked this show. It had tons of DC Easter Eggs and Vanessa was really upbeat!

[@Friendly_Newb]

Awwwwwww I would have so binged the hell out of this show...

[@thanosraja2091]

That was very enjoyable, effects don't matter as much as characters do.

[@SiroccoDooley]

This was actually way better it even was heartwarming. Whoever did the remake made it very cheesy. This was the best start. Whoever thought this was bad. Need to lose their job in the executive office.

[@radioactivekid007]

I finally had a chance to watch this pilot and I’m so sad this isn’t the show that we got. There’s a perfect balance between humor and drama and i think this would have done well on the network or even maybe on any streaming site. Such a disappointment in how the story was changed, but im glad to see that Vanessa Hudgens still acts amazingly.

[@Alucard2091]

The show being insurance company is more impactful meaning to the word powerless than being backend of wayne tech company to superhero. So, the change is somewhat now less powerless.

[@thebrokeblerdpodtv2805]

This was so much better than what they changed it to. this is them respecting the source materials, and well. we can see what tv execs think.

[@thebrokeblerdpodtv2805]

though i do like the additon of ron funchis

[@mrlowdays]

I prefer this version over the tech stuff, Retcon Insurance works better as a joke and the budget could have been managed better because of fewer unique props. The world wasn't ready for an anticapitalistic queen, I suppose.

[@TheCebulon]

This is awesome. Love the vibe.

[@dawg065]

Del their boss reminds me of tRUMP.

[@Robertlynschultz]

Interesting concept… thank you for the upload