The DCEU just can’t seem to quit Deathstroke.Joe Manganiello(Magic Mike) signed on to play the villainous assassinlast September, but a lot has changed since then.Zack Snyderwas replaced byJoss Whedonon directingJustice League(where the character may have debuted), andMatt ReevesreplacedBen Affleckon directing a soloBatmanfilm where the character may have been the main antagonist. As recently as this past July, Manganielloseemed to be at a losson what Deathstroke would be up to in the DCEU.
But it looks like the character’s fortunes are alive and well.The Wrapreports that Warner Bros. wants to give the baddie his own movie and they’re in talks withThe RaidhelmerGareth Evansto get in the director’s chair. No deals have been set yet with Evans or Manganiello for a solo Deathstroke movie, and with the shifting state of the DCEU, it’s unclear where exactly he would first be introduced. Presumably, since he’s a Batman antagonist, he would be need an introduction in a larger profile film since he’s not a character like Deadpool whose personality and attitude can demand an audience.
However, he’s not a complete non-entity. He’s appeared inBatmanvideo games, and, most notably, as an antagonist onArrow, played byManu Bennett. He’s a character whose popularity is arguably on the rise, but not to the point where a filmmaker wouldn’t have room to help define the character for a larger audience.
It will be interesting to see if this comes together, and it’s curious to see Evans finally taking a chance on blockbuster filmmaking after getting offers following the success ofThe RaidandThe Raid 2. His new movie,Apostle, is slated to arrive on Netflix sometime next year. Manganiello may pop up inJustice League, but he’ll definitely be seen alongsideDwayne JohnsoninRampage, which opens in April.
