In more DC'EU news, Joe Manganiello recently opened up about his role as Deathstroke in Ben Affleck's standalone Batman film. The film hasn't been given a slated spot in the DC'EU upcoming lineup but the film's announcement is inevitable. Ben Affleck has also hinted at the title for his standalone Batman film being titled The Batman. Affleck hasn't elaborated on the plot of the film, nor has Warner Brothers Studios commented so far. The only aspect of The Batman confirmed so far is of Joe Manganiello portraying the villainous Deathstroke.
Joe Manganiello Speaks On His Role As Deathstroke In The Batman
More importantly, Manganiello's recent comments on his part in The Batman have given us something to ponder over. While speaking on Mark Madden's Pittsburgh sports podcast, Manganiello elaborated a bit on his part as Deathstroke in The Batman.
When I met Ben we sat down and we talked about, you know, the role (of Deathstroke). We talked about the movie. His take is a fresh take but I think the audience is going to be surprised.
Manganiello's comments don't provide any more details into the iteration of Deathstroke he'll portray in The Batman so we can only make assumptions on how Manganiello will bring Deathstroke to life based on the DC comics' iteration of said character.
For more insight into Manganiello's part as Deathstroke, let's take a look at what Manganiello had to say towards The Batman film.
His (Ben Affleck) take is a fresh take but I think the audience is going to be surprised. Because it’s a road that no one’s really gone down that’s completely integral to who Batman is. And I think it’s gonna be refreshing but at the same time completely familiar.
Accounting for Manganiello's comments, we now know that Ben Affleck's take on The Batman will be an original approach to Batman films which could have a variety of meanings behind it. But considering that Affleck's The Batman is unlike any past approach to the character, it probably means the supporting characters in The Batmanwill have unique origins as well, distant from what's seen in the comics. That's not to say elements from the comics won't be utilized but keeping Ben Affleck's approach to directing The Batman in mind, his approach to characters like Deathstroke might be quite different than one might anticipate.
Questions We Need Answered
Regardless, we still don't know very much about Deathstroke which draws up several questions we need answered before The Batman premieres. We're still a long ways away from the premiere of Ben Affleck's standalone Batman film but when the slightest detail towards Manganiello's part as Deathstroke is revealed, the floodgates for speculation will be opened. Before that, here are several questions we can try to answer before we're all plagued with ridiculous theories.
1. Who Is The Man Behind The Deathstroke Mask?
In DC Comics, Slade Wilson was originally a soldier for the army who wound up mixed up with some unsavory characters. After Slade Wilson allowed scientists to experiment on him, he fell into a coma and awoke a different person. Once awaken, Slade found a new purpose in life, as an assassin for hire. With extrasensory abilities at his fingertips, Slade Wilson became an unstoppable assassin.
Manganiello will probably be portraying the Slade Wilson version of Deathstroke in The Batman but that doesn't remove the possibility of Manganiello portraying a different character, who uses the same alias of Deathstroke. It's quite possible an original take on Deathstroke might see Manganiello portraying someone other than Slade Wilson, but who utilizes the alias of Deathstroke.
2. Is Deathstroke Actually The Villain Of The Batman?
Considering that the details surrounding Manganiello's role as Deathstroke have been kept quiet, fans have been quick to assume that Deathstroke will be the villain of The Batman but no one has asked if Deathstroke might be an anti-hero ally who Batman calls on for assistance.
The aspect of Deathstroke and Batman making an alliance seems unlikely but considering how there might be a larger threat present, the two may be forced to team up.
3. What Does He Want With The Batman?
What could Deathstroke want with Batman? Without knowing what Deathstroke's motivations are, anything is possible. Although, it's probable that Deathstroke will arrive in Gotham as the new villain attempting to take control of the streets. Of course Batman will show up to thwart Deathstroke and their confrontation will likely depict the two competing for control over Gotham city. However, the events of The Batman might not all take place within Gotham City.
There's potential for the story to extend out to other cities as well. With that in mind, Deathstroke might be on the hunt for Batman. Or it could very well be the other way around. Anything is possible at the moment, but one thing is clear: the Batman and Deathstroke definitely have something to hash out in The Batman.
4. Could One Of Batman's Old Proteges Be Deathstroke?
The identity of Deathstroke is one mystery of great intrigue. Reasonably speaking, Manganiello will likely be playing the Slade Wilson version of Deathstroke. However, the easter egg towards Jason Todd / Robin during Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justicecould see Jason Todd return as Deathstroke.
Keeping Ben Affleck's original approach to directing The Batman in mind, he could decide to revamp the Deathstroke character to see Jason Todd become Deathstroke rather than Slade Wilson. It may not seem plausible at the moment, but with Jason Todd very likely having a problem with Batman /Bruce Wayne after Batman refusing to exact revenge on the Joker for torturing Jason, Jason might wind up becoming Deathstroke instead of the Red Hood. In DC comics, Jason Todd takes on the alias of the Red Hood after he survives a savage beating at the Joker's hands.
With that in mind, Joe Manganiello could reasonably be portraying an aged Jason Todd, who's decided to become Deathstroke in the future. That scenario would create quite a problem for Batman when he has to consider how to respond to Jason, after seeing him become Deathstroke.
How do you think Joe Manganiello and Ben Affleck are going to bring Deathstroke to life on the big screen? And does Manganiello have it what it takes? What do you want to see in Manganiello's performance as Deathstroke? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below.