Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke Role Came At A Dark Time!

Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke role in the DC Extended Universe meant far more to him than another superhero opportunity. Ben Affleck’s offer arrived while the True Blood star was battling a serious autoimmune disease, giving him something to work toward during one of the darkest periods of his life.

Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke Role Gave Him a Reason to Fight

The actor shares the deeply personal story in his upcoming memoir, Bloodlines, which is scheduled for release on October 13. According to an excerpt published by The Hollywood Reporter, Manganiello was fighting for his health when he learned he could play the iconic DC villain.

At the time, his condition had become so serious that his then-wife, Sofia Vergara, was preparing for the possibility that he might die. Despite her concerns about the physically demanding role, Manganiello saw the opportunity as a reason to believe he could recover. Manganiello explained in his memoir that the chance to play Deathstroke gave him a goal during an incredibly difficult time. He knew the role would require months of demanding physical work, but that challenge helped him imagine a future beyond his illness.

Reflecting on the opportunity, the actor wrote:

“It was just the carrot I needed dangled in front of me, the one that would lead me out of this nightmare that had become my life. I needed to believe, even if it turned out to be a delusion, that one year from now I could handle the rigors of shooting a superhero movie for six months. This would be my trial by fire.”

However, Manganiello’s determination came amid serious concerns about his health. Vergara reportedly considered his decision to pursue the physically demanding superhero role “insane,” given the severity of his condition. Nevertheless, the actor remained committed to rebuilding his strength and preparing for the opportunity.

Joe Manganiello’s Serious Health Battle

In 2016, Manganiello collapsed while filming the miniseries Six. Doctors later discovered that a mysterious autoimmune disease had affected his thyroid and intestines. The illness caused his weight to plummet from 235 pounds to 176 pounds. His condition eventually became so severe that he needed emergency surgery to have his large intestine removed.

According to the report, his intestine had deteriorated dramatically and “had turned to pus and was about to explode.”

The experience left Manganiello facing a long and difficult recovery. At a time when his future remained uncertain, the possibility of playing Deathstroke gave him a concrete goal to pursue.

Preparing to Become Deathstroke Despite His Illness

Despite his health challenges, Manganiello began working toward regaining his weight and rebuilding the strength required for the role. His commitment became especially clear when he tried on his Deathstroke costume while still wearing an ostomy bag.

The moment represented how closely his recovery had become tied to his plans for the DC character. Manganiello recalled making a promise to himself about getting his life back on track:

“I’d gain the weight back, get my digestive system reconnected, lose the bag, and get back to my life.”

For the actor, preparing to play Deathstroke became more than a physical challenge. It gave him a target to work toward while navigating a life-threatening health crisis.

What Happened to Ben Affleck’s Deathstroke Plans?

Although Manganiello received the opportunity to play Deathstroke, the character’s planned DCEU storyline never fully materialized. Affleck had envisioned a Batman film featuring the assassin, but the project did not move forward as originally planned.

As a result, audiences never saw the full story that could have brought Manganiello’s Deathstroke into conflict with Affleck’s Batman. Even so, the role remains an important part of Manganiello’s personal story. The opportunity arrived when he needed something to look forward to, helping him imagine a future in which he could recover and return to his life.

His memoir, Bloodlines, offers a closer look at that experience and the personal significance behind a DC role that ultimately remained largely unrealized on screen.