I don't think Goyer or anyone at DC/WB realizes the genius potential they have with Martian Manhunter.
We live in a culture that has continuously shoved down our throats - superhero films included - the idea that stereotypical looking (usually green skinned) aliens are evil. We've seen it in countless sci-fi classics, in the Avengers, we'll probably see it with Brainiac. So what better way to turn that around and distinguish yourself from Marvel at the same time by having one of those aliens you'd expect to be evil on the brand's big gun team, the JL?
Furthermore, there are so many racial themes you can tap into with MM in a way no one else can, barring maybe the X-Men. In Lex Luthor: Man of Steel, Lex remarks how easily people are willing to trust an alien like Kal-El just because he looks human. By default, Clark has a huge headstart to gaining public trust simply because he looks like one of us while J'onn looks like the "evil creatures here to take over" the media's been demonizing in pop culture for decades. Enough J'onn is (arguably) the most peaceful of the original 7.
And unlike J'onn, Clark isn't really an alien. I mean, biologically he is, but at heart he is as human as you and me. He grew up here on Earth and his character and values come from the Kents. Krypton and space are almost just as foreign to him as they are to us. He respects his Krypton heritage, but he is first and foremost human, much like how a child with immigrant parents living in America is aware of his or her background culture but is first and foremost American. Plus with Superman, the point was never that he was an alien, but that he is a Messianic figure sent from a better world to prevent our world from making the same mistakes. Whether he is from Krypton or Asgard or an alternate future doesn't change that core message. With J'onn, the whole point is specifically that he is an alien. He is the adult immigrant from the stars, grew up in an entirely different culture, witnessed the genocide of his family and race in the name of the White Martians' supposed racial superiority (similar to the way Nazis viewed Jews), who decided to make Earth his new home and start a new chapter. And although he misses his old home and family and doesn't quite fully adapt to human culture, he still manages to find a home and friends in the Justice League. He's all about the Justice League. There's no "complete" JL without him IMO.
It's part of why I never liked so many aliens on the JL other than Supes and MM. I think it kinda cheapens MM's backstory and him as a character.
Unfortunately, DC's been sidelining him since the start of the New 52. It's a shame they're trying so hard to bury him with not even the most interesting minority character they have (Static, Black Lightning, Blue Beetle > Cyborg). Which is funny in the first place, since MM already is your minority team member in many ways. Especially since his default human form has been an African American for a good while now.
I just think it's incredibly ironic that in the name of political correctness, to have a character with physical minority appearances, we've thrown out a character with actual racial themes attached to him. And this is part of why DC will always struggle compared to Marvel. Because they can't even see the depth and potential of their characters when it's right there in their face.
And as a Guardians fan I can tell you they are a much harder sell than MM would be, IMO at least.
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