Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke Plans Revealed After DCEU Cancellation!

Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke plans for the DCEU included several major projects that never reached the screen. The actor has revealed how Warner Bros. repeatedly discussed new opportunities for the DC villain after his original Batman movie plans collapsed.

Manganiello first appeared as Slade Wilson, better known as Deathstroke, in Justice League (2017). He later reprised the role in Zack Snyder’s 2021 director’s cut. However, the character’s future remained uncertain after Ben Affleck’s planned Batman movie fell apart. During a conversation with Rich Roll while promoting his new book, Bloodlines, Manganiello reflected on the missed opportunities and explained how the studio kept discussing potential appearances for Deathstroke.

“Batman got cancelled and I never… I mean I got to play the character again for like two minutes in the re-shoots,” he said.

Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke Plans Included Several Cancelled Movies

Following the cancellation of Affleck’s Batman, Warner Bros. reportedly explored several ways to bring Deathstroke back to the DCEU. According to Manganiello, discussions continued for roughly six years, with different projects and creative teams entering the picture.

The actor recalled that the studio considered making Deathstroke the villain in Aquaman 2. Other possibilities included an appearance in Suicide Squad 2 and a standalone Deathstroke movie. However, the plans kept changing as filmmakers and projects shifted. Manganiello described the uncertainty during his conversation with Roll:

“…And for the next six years there were just project after project and call for my agent after call for my agent about, ‘Oh yeah, they’re going to use your character in this. You’re going to be in this. You’re going to be the villain in Aquaman 2. You’re going to be in Suicide Squad 2 with this director. No, this director. No, you versus Will Smith. Oh, it’s going to be a standalone.’ Am I lucky or unlucky?”

One of the most surprising possibilities would have placed Deathstroke opposite Will Smith’s Deadshot. Although the crossover never materialized, it offers a glimpse of how differently the DCEU could have developed. Ultimately, none of these reported plans resulted in the larger Deathstroke storyline Manganiello had hoped to explore.

Why Joe Manganiello Felt Unlucky Playing Deathstroke?

Despite the disappointment, Manganiello remains grateful that he got the opportunity to portray the character. However, the repeated cancellations made it difficult to enjoy the role fully at the time.

He explained his mixed feelings about the experience:

“I’m lucky that I got that part, but at the time I felt like I was unlucky because I got this thing that then got cancelled and went away.”

Deathstroke is one of DC Comics’ most recognizable mercenaries, known for his tactical intelligence, enhanced abilities, and complicated history with the Teen Titans and Batman. Manganiello’s casting initially suggested that the character could become an important part of the DCEU.

The planned Affleck film could have provided a major introduction to Deathstroke’s rivalry with Batman. Once that project collapsed, however, the character’s future became tied to a series of uncertain possibilities. Manganiello eventually appeared in the Snyder Cut, but fans never saw the full storyline that Warner Bros. had considered for him.

Joe Manganiello’s Career Beyond DC

Outside his work as Deathstroke, Manganiello has appeared in several notable film and television projects. He played Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man (2002), marking an early connection to the world of superhero movies.

His more recent credits include Nonnas and Netflix’s One Piece, in which he portrays Mr. 0. These projects have allowed him to explore roles beyond the DC universe. Nevertheless, his experience as Deathstroke remains an intriguing example of how studio changes and cancelled productions can derail a superhero character’s future.

Could Deathstroke Return in the DCU?

Although Manganiello’s DCEU plans never came to fruition, Deathstroke could still have a future in the rebooted DC Universe.

The character is expected to appear alongside Bane in an upcoming DCU movie. However, DC Studios has not officially confirmed who will portray Deathstroke. Reacher star Alan Ritchson has reportedly been considered for the role, but no official casting announcement has emerged.

For now, Manganiello’s revelations offer a reminder of what the previous DC film universe nearly delivered. Whether the new DCU gives Deathstroke a more substantial role remains to be seen.