History Main / CaptainErsatz

* Being a film based on the first of a series of books that are technically illegal ''Franchise/HarryPotter'' {{Hate Fic}}s, ''WesternAnimation/ChildrenVSWizards'' replaced the HP characters featured as villains with lookalikes.

* Possibly Rufus from ''Film/BillAndTedsExcellentAdventure'', [[Series/DoctorWho a quirky, sophisticated fellow in a time-travelling phone box]]...

* General Hager from ''Film/FantasticFourRiseOfTheSilverSurfer'' was originally supposed to be ComicBook/NickFury, but was changed to an original character when the director found out Creator/TwentiethCenturyFox didn't have his film rights. Not only does Hager have Fury's personality and (ComicBook/{{Ultimate|Marvel}}) ethnicity, but some of his lines are taken word-for-word from Fury's dialogue in Creator/WarrenEllis' ''ComicBook/UltimateGalactusTrilogy''.

* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}: Dean was originally supposed to be rescued from hell by Constantine himself, but they couldn't get the rights so they created an angel who dresses exactly like Constantine and, in early appearances, has a lot of his personality in Castiel.

** The first was Wrestling/JasonTheTerrible (Karl "Butch" Moffatt), a creation of Bruce Hart in the dying days of the old Stampede Wrestling promotion in Calgary in the late 1980s, with his manager the Zodiac (Barry Orton- Wrestling/{{Randy|Orton}}'s uncle) under a mask, and who can be seen [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1mCmwgzudc here]]. There have been several other wrestlers who have done the Jason gimmick since.

* The Wrestling/{{Aces And Eights|Wrestlers}} stable in [[Wrestling/ImpactWrestling TNA]] is a wrestling version of ''Series/SonsOfAnarchy'', right down to their attires, logos, and music being inspired by said series.

* ''Radio/ThatGoshDarnHippieShow'': Anthony is pretty clearly just [[Recap/TheTwilightZoneS3E73ItsAGoodLife Anthony Fremont]] without the hatred of electronics and singing, complete with sending people to the cornfield.

* ''WesternAnimation/ChallengeOfTheGoBots'' has an ersatz toy titled ''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''.

* An Arab company once stole some character designs from ''WesternAnimation/SouthPark''. No, we're not talking about the Kuwaiti knockoff ''Block 13''; the Arab company in question is a [=YouTube=] channel for kids called Toyor Baby TV, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkPU_lxbU_I this]] is the video where they used the stolen designs in question. It's supposed to be a song about water conservation, but it's pretty hard not to ignore the characters who are pretty blatantly ''South Park'' characters such as Stan and Butters (also, what does ''South Park'' of all things have to do with teaching children water conservation anyway?). At least ''Block 13'' changed the character designs so that, while they're blatant copies, they're still less blatant than in Toyor Baby TV's video, where literally the only change made to the characters is that they're given slightly different color schemes.

* Batdragon of [[http://www.drunkduck.com/Dragon_City Dragon City]] and his daughter Batdragongirl both fit this trope as they're parodies of Batman and Batgirl (respectively).

* The vast majority of the cast of ''Webcomic/TheNonAdventuresOfWonderella'' fits here, some more blatantly than others:

** Spirral is [[ComicBook/JusticeLeagueOfAmerica Starro]].

** Jokerella is [[Characters/BatmanTheJoker, [[LighterAndSofter sort of]]. (More like Harley Quinn in a world without her beloved Mr. J.)

** Teen Angel is a villain version of [[ComicBook/XMen Angel]].

* The Liberty League in Webcomic/LoveAndCapes is a blatant ripoff of the Justice League, not surprising as main character The Crusader is an obvious copy of ComicBook/{{Superman}}. The only member of the League who isn't specifically a [=DC=] hero is [[ComicBook/SpiderMan The Arachnerd]], and he doesn't join until the 4th issue.

* The Primagen was a robotic [[UsefulNotes/FurryFandom furry]] species created by Malice-risu, who he would often sell OCs and commissions of for upwards of thousands of dollars. This species blew up in popularity, until eventually he conceded to demands and allowed another, nearly identical species to be made, which anyone could use for free; the Protogen. While the Primagen has mostly faded into obscurity, the Protogen would go on to be a staple of furry art and literature.

* Chapel was replaced by a similar character named Jessica Priest in ''Film/Spawn1997''. This is due to Chapel being owned by Creator/RobLiefeld, since he originated in ''ComicBook/{{Youngblood}}''.

* "WebAnimation/GrimReaperFlag-chan": Death Flag-chan looks exactly like Komaru Naegi from Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls.

* Also occurs with some of ''TabletopGame/{{Pathfinder}}''[='=]s alternate class archetypes. While most of ''Pathfinder''[='=]s character options are inspired by preexisting fictional archetypes to some degree (such as the {{Swashbuckler}}, {{Phantom Thief}}, or [[MagicalGirl Magical Child]]), in some cases this gets pretty specific. The Shield Champion fights just like ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, the Sleepless Detective PrestigeClass and most variations of the Investigator are blatant {{Sherlock Homage}}s, the Master Chymist PrestigeClass was based on ''Literature/TheStrangeCaseOfDrJekyllAndMrHyde'', and the Brute archetype for the Vigilante class is obviously ''[[Characters/IncredibleHulkBruceBanner The Incredible Hulk]]'' without the gamma radiation.

** Patrianna is ComicBook/CaptainAmerica.

* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'' authors like doing this as spoofs. At [[SuperheroSchool Whateley Academy]] the team The Vindicators is definitely the classic [[ComicBook/TheAvengers Avengers]], with Kismet for the Characters/ScarletWitch, Donner as a dopey [[Characters/TheMightyThorThorOdinson Thor]], Captain Canada! as ComicBook/CaptainAmerica, Donner as Thor, Dynamaxx as ComicBook/IronMan, Lemure as ComicBook/TheVision, and Sizemax as [[ComicBook/AntMan Giant-Man]]. And Elite League are all ersatzes of the animated WesternAnimation/JusticeLeague seven. The Good Ol' Boyz are a parody too, but not of a superhero team.

* ''The Mean One'' is a HorrorComedy where the antagonist is [[Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas a hairy, green humanoid creature who lives on a mountain, hates Christmas, and terrorizes a small town called Newville]], but the word "Grinch" is never mentioned in the script - there ''is'' a gag where a character is about to say it, but they're in a loud bar, where they're [[AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruption interrupted by a server calling out an order for "Finch!"]].

* ''The Mean One'' is a HorrorComedy where the antagonist is [[Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas a hairy, green humanoid creature who lives on a mountain, hates Christmas, and terrorizes a small town called Newville]], but the word "Grinch" is never mentioned in the script - there ''is'' a gag where a character is about to say it, but they're in a loud bar, where they're [[AstonishinglyAppropriateInterruptoon interrupted by a server calling out an order for "Finch!"]].

This character's design is a mix of legal issues and homage. Just as someone who wants to incorporate a UsefulNotes/{{Walmart}} into a story but can't manage the ProductPlacement might use "[[BrandX Box Mart]]," a person who wants to write [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Captain Original]], but can't because a rival comic company owns the trademark, will create Captain Ersatz. Sometimes, these characters are used as affectionate {{Shout Out}}s to a series or creator that may have inspired them. At other times, they are used as {{parod|y}}ies or {{Take That}}s against the original characters they're based on (and [[BitingTheHandHumor possibly the company who owns them]]).

* ''Golden Batman'': Korean animation inspired by ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' and ''Anime/{{Golden Bat}}''.

* ''Wonder Princess'': Inspired by Franchise/WonderWoman.

* The characters in ''WesternAnimation/{{Megamind}}'' represent various comic book heroes and villains, most notably from Franchise/{{Superman}}. [[TheCape Metro Man]] is Superman, [[MadScientist Megamind]] is a mixture of [[Characters/SupermanBrainiacCharacter Brainiac]] and [[Characters/SupermanLexLuthor Lex Luthor]], [[LoveInterests Roxanne]] is [[Characters/SupermanLoisLane Lois Lane]], and Hal is an incarnation of [[Characters/SupermanJimmyOlsen Jimmy Olsen]] [[spoiler:with some Superboy-Prime thrown in]].

* A few in ''Film/SkyHigh2005'', but the most obvious is Layla, being similar to Franchise/{{Batman}}'s villainess [[Characters/BatmanPoisonIvy Poison Ivy]]. She's a redhead, she controls plants, she always wears green, she's very environment friendly, etc. — except she's a good gal. Many have pegged the movie to X-Men given that the plot of the movie centers on a SuperheroSchool.

* ''Film/XMenOriginsWolverine'': A kindly old couple on a farm who take in a super-powered individual? [[Franchise/{{Superman}} That sounds kinda familiar]]. The first shot of them smiling while driving their pickup seems like a deliberate homage to ''Film/SupermanTheMovie''. Creator/RichardDonner ''is'' a producer on this film.

* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'' had Captain Ersatzes for a shockingly-large number of DC characters. Gloria was Poison Ivy, Vordigan the Dark Archer was [[ComicBook/GreenArrow Merlyn]], Pete Ross ended up becoming a Captain Ersatz of ComicBook/PlasticMan (or [[Characters/SupermanJimmyOlsen Jimmy Olsen]] as Elastic Lad)...the list goes on and on. One episode even had Lois cosplaying [[ShowWithinAShow as an in-universe]] Captain Ersatz of Franchise/WonderWoman!

** [[http://static.wixstatic.com/media/e41a9e_42fe13b498354d2e8d90a5764d1c145a.jpg Arachniman]], who is not like Franchise/SpiderMan at all.

* The Film/{{Inception}} card game [[MassiveMultiplayerCrossover guest starring]] [[Franchise/{{Batman}} "Joker"]], [[Film/TheLastAirbender "Avatar"]], "Film/LordOfWar", "Film/BlackSwan", "Anime/{{Paprika}}", [[Franchise/AssassinsCreed "Martyr"]], and [[Characters/MarvelComicsJeanGrey "Space Queen"]].

* The Swedish superhero game ''Supergänget'' (published in English as ''Supercrew'') features some among their quick examples – The Weasel (Characters/{{Wolverine|JamesLoganHowlett}}, but female), The Tomani (ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk with a ShoutOut to children's author Christine Nöstlinger) and Tapir Man ([[Franchise/SpiderMan Rhino]], and being a caricature of a friend of the author), among others.

* ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'':

** ''Power Mans Invincible Troop Warfare'' features ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' and ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' on the packaging, but it's really about five Franchise/{{Batman}}s.

* ''Franchise/SpiderMan'':

* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'':

** The Gulliver Juguetes ''Super Powers Collection'' featured Captain Lightning or Captain Ray/El Capitan Rayo, closely resembling Franchise/{{Superman}}.

* ''X-Team'' is an ersatz of ''Franchise/XMen''.

** ''Action Heroes'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'' as Cat Man Gold, Silver, and Black, ''[[Franchise/MastersOfTheUniverse He-Man]]'' as Heman and Skeletoon, ''Franchise/PowerRangers'' as Power Man Blue, Red, Green, Black, and White, ''Franchise/{{Robocop}}'' as Cybercop, ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' as Medusa, ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'' as Snake Man, and ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'' as Ninja Fighter Red, Violet, Blue, and Orange.

** ''Gao Ranger Dino Thunder'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', ''Franchise/TheIncredibles'', ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''.

** ''Justice Heros League'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''Franchise/TheIncredibles'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''.
** ''Octo-Spidey'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/SpiderMan'' and ''Franchise/ToyStory''.
** ''Marvel Heroes'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'', the ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', ''ComicBook/IronMan'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'', and ''[[ComicBook/TheMightyThor Thor]]''.
** ''Mavel Team Up'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''.
** ''Sense of Right Alliance'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Cars}}'', ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''Comicbook/FantasticFour'', ''Franchise/TheIncredibles'', ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''.
** ''Special Styles Mystic Hero'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''ComicStrip/ThePhantom'', ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', and ''Franchise/{{Zorro}}''.
** ''Super Hero'' features ersatzes of ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', ''Franchise/TheIncredibles'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', and ''Franchise/{{Superman}}''.
** ''Super Heroes'' features ersatzes ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''Franchise/Ben10'', ''Anime/DragonBallZ'', ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'', and ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles''.
** ''Super Heroes Justice League'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''ComicBook/IronMan'', ''Franchise/{{Naruto}}'', and ''Franchise/SpiderMan''.
** ''[=SuperMan=] Big Alliance'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', ''Franchise/{{Shrek}}'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', and ''ComicBook/TheThing''.
** ''Super Special Heroes'' features ersatzes of ''Franchise/{{Batman}}'', ''ComicBook/TheIncredibleHulk'', ''Franchise/TheIncredibles'', ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', ''Franchise/SpiderMan'', ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'', ''Franchise/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles'', and ''Franchise/ToyStory''.
** ''Universal Hero'' features ersatzes of ''ComicBook/CaptainAmerica'', ''Franchise/PowerRangers'', and ''Franchise/SpiderMan''.

* Doctor Octogonapus, not [[Franchise/SpiderMan Doctor]] [[Characters/MarvelComicsOttoOctavius Octopus]], from ''WebAnimation/TheLazerCollection''.

* ''Webcomic/AttackOfTheSuperWizards'' stars public domain characters, one of whom, Stardust, was created to be an ersatz Franchise/{{Superman}}. The comic also includes ersatz versions of Krypto, Lois Lane, Batman, Wonder Woman, Cthulhu, Alan Moore, and others.

** Titania is [[Franchise/WonderWoman Hippolyta]].

** Hitlerella is [[Characters/MarvelComicsRedSkull Red Skull]] and [[Franchise/WonderWoman Baroness von Gunther]].

** Doctor Shark is [[Franchise/SpiderMan Curt Connors, AKA the Lizard]].
** Intelli-Ape is [[Franchise/TheFlash Gorilla Grodd]].
** [[http://nonadventures.com/2008/12/06/bloc-of-the-walk/ KGBetty]] is [[ComicBook/CaptainAmerica Red Guardian]] and [[Franchise/{{Batman}} KGBeast]].

** Speedstar is Franchise/TheFlash.

** [[http://nonadventures.com/2010/02/06/cinnamon-churl/ Cinnaman]] is [[Franchise/SpiderMan the Marvel Sandman]].

* The Liberty League in Webcomic/LoveAndCapes is a blatant ripoff of the Justice League, not surprising as main character The Crusader is an obvious copy of Franchise/{{Superman}}. The only member of the League who isn't specifically a [=DC=] hero is [[Franchise/SpiderMan The Arachnerd]], and he doesn't join until the 4th issue.

* About seven years after the producers of ''Series/{{Ultraman}}'' snuck Franchise/{{Godzilla}} into the show by giving him a neck frill and calling him "Jirass" (see "Live Action TV" below), the producers of the ''Godzilla'' series returned the favor by sneaking Ultraman into ''Film/GodzillaVsMegalon'', altering his coloration slightly and calling him "Jet Jaguar". Appropriately enough, Ultraman's creator, Creator/EijiTsuburaya, originally did special effects work on Creator/IshiroHonda's original ''Film/{{Gojira}}'', and was instrumental in bringing Goji-san to life on the big screen.

* Invoked by Angie in ''Webcomic/NerfNow'' when, after telling [[VideoGame/{{Metroid}} Samus]] she can't hire her to work at her bar for fear of Nintendo's wrath, passes her a note saying to 'change [her] name so [Angie] can claim ignorance, dimwit'. Hence, the hiring of 'Zamus'.

* ''Webcomic/{{Sonichu}}'': The majority of the cast consists of ''Sonic'' [[PaletteSwap recolors]]. Firstly, Sonichu is an ersatz that the author made sometime in the 1990s when a teacher wouldn't allow him to use Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog or [[Franchise/{{Pokemon}} Pikachu]] in a class project due to copyright. There's also Simonla Rosechu, who was originally a (male) OriginalCharacter created by a troll who's a fan of ''Anime/TengenToppaGurrenLagann'', but Chris decided to [[GenderFlip change his gender]] and turn him into a Rosechu before using her in the comic. Add in two characters based off Zelda (Zelina Rosechu, Clawdorf and Darkbind Sonichu), [[Franchise/SailorMoon Sailor Megtune]] and various others. The only characters who seem to be completely original are Kel, a generic Pokémon trainer, and Count Graduon, the AnthropomorphicPersonification of Chris's high school graduation.