After his casting was announced a year or so back, reportedly for a Batman solo film, it now seems Joe Manganiello will be starring in his own film as DC’s most famous assassin/anti-hero Deathstroke. The report comes courtesy of The Wrap, who say that The Raid director Gareth Evans is in early discussions to write and direct the film. Warner Brothers have since confirmed they are in very early talks with Evans. No tentative release date has been given.
Last year, Ben Affleck posted a tweet of Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke walking towards the camera, on what looks to be the set of the Flying Fox from the upcoming Justice League film. Fans wondered if this meant Deathstroke would appear in Justice League (which could still happen), but later it was learned that Affleck had set his sights on having the character appear as the main antagonist in his Batman solo film. However, with Matt Reeves taking over, it seems those plans changed, and his script is starting from scratch, probably meaning no Deathstroke in the Batman movie after all.
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) August 29, 2016
Regardless, it seems that Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment is keen on Manganiello as Deathstroke enough to give the former True Blood and Magic Mike actor his own potential franchise. Deathstroke originally appeared in New Teen Titans #2 way back in 1980, created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. He quickly became their primary antagonist, and sometimes ally. He planted the spy Terra in their ranks, and later, his son Jericho joined the team. In the early ’90s he would receive his own ongoing series from creator Marv Wolfman.
Deathstroke is something of a dark take on Marvel’s Captain America — a former US soldier, Slade Wilson volunteers for experiments that making him a living fighting machine. Instead of becoming a patriotic superhero though, he becomes the worlds greatest mercenary. Aside from the Titans, he would come in conflict with almost every major DC hero over the years. He’s appeared in various media over the years, like the Teen Titans animated series, where he went by the name Slade. He has also been a major bad guy on the CW’s Arrow. Of course, Marvel’s “merc with the mouth” Deadpool was originally conceived of as a mash up of Spider-Man and Deathstroke, with Deadpool’s real name Wade Wilson a less than subtle homage to Slade Wilson.
What do you think of a potential Deathstroke film? And what comics storylines would you like to see adapted for the big screen? Let us know down below in the comments.
Images: DC Comics
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