Key Takeaways
- James Gunn confirms Deathstroke’s significant role in the DC Universe, promising to bring the iconic villain to the forefront.
- Deathstroke’s awaited introduction potentially challenges Zack Snyder’s now-defunct plans for the DC Extended Universe.
- Fans anticipate an epic showdown between Deathstroke and Batman, hoping Gunn will give the villain the treatment he deserves.
The creative head of DC Studios, James Gunn, has promised that the DC Universe will bring one of Batman’s most formidable foes to the forefront: Slade Wilson, better known as Deathstroke—even as Matt Reeves’ Batmanverse offers a fresh slate on the Dark Knight’s villains.
Besides an announcement of a future Batman: The Brave and the Bold film to be directed by Andy Muschietti, the fate of Batman’s world in the DCU remains under wraps. While David Corenswet’s Superman movie is eight months away from release, and a Green Lantern HBO series is being fast-tracked, little is known about the fate of the Caped Crusader or his long iconic list of villains. But recent word from Gunn suggests that Deathstroke—whose live-action history spans TV shows such as Smallville, Titans, Arrow, and on the big screen in Justice League—will have a place in his universe.
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When asked by a curious fan on Threads if there were any ideas or plans for Slade Wilson in the DCU, James Gunn answered with what every Deathstroke fan likely wants to hear: “Yes and Yes.” What remains unclear, however, is if this is related to an unnamed Bane and Deathstroke project rumored to be in development at DC Studios with Captain America: Brave New World writer Matthew Orton attached. Gunn also left fans in the dark about whether or not Deathstroke would be the main villain for the announced Batman: The Brave and the Bold movie.
Deathstroke’s teased introduction is arguably the DCU’s most high-profile yet for a villain, after the confirmation of Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in Superman. If his debut is billed for the big screen—which fans will certainly hope is the case for such a top-tier villain—it will only be his second appearance after a cameo in the post-credits scene of 2017’s Justice League, which saw Joe Manganiello don the signature eye patch and yellow-black armor.
However, for those still attached to Zack Snyder and his now-defunct DC Extended Universe—unofficially dubbed the Snyderverse—this news might be bittersweet. Even before the release of Justice League, plans were already in motion for Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke and Ben Affleck’s Batman to square up in a solo Batman movie. It’s clear that it never came to fruition. Yet, the idea of an epic showdown between Deathstroke and Batman on the big screen, with action scenes reminiscent of Batman: Arkham Origins, never died. Now, it appears Gunn’s DCU may finally offer that long-desired battle.
Manganiello’s best chance to reprise his role as Slade Wilson was likely Leslie Grace’s scrapped Batgirl movie. Given his commitments to Netflix’s One Piece and the DCU’s fresh start, his return is highly doubtful. Nonetheless, fans are hopeful that Gunn will give Deathstroke the treatment that a character of his cruelty and skill deserves. Perhaps he will be blessed with the chance to grow in an origin film, with R-rated scenes to properly explore his ruthless nature and mastery of peak combat, as opposed to throwing him into a secondary role in a Batman movie or sharing the glory with Bane. Whatever the case, his arrival in the DCU is poised to be one of the universe’s main talking points.
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