Deathstroke Actor Officially Speaks Out on Failed Batman Film
Joe Manganiello has spoken about losing the chance to play Deathstroke in Ben Affleck’s cancelled Batman film, saying at the time he “lost my mind”. He had been relying on preparing for the role while dealing with an autoimmune disease, and saw the offer as a reason to keep fighting.
Manganiello later came to view the opportunity as something that helped him through a difficult period, even though the film was never made. He appeared as Deathstroke only in a post-credit scene in 2017’s Justice League; Affleck left his Batman project, which was later reworked by Matt Reeves with Robert Pattinson. A new DC Universe project called Savage Hunters is planned to feature Deathstroke and Bane, though Manganiello’s return has not been confirmed.
- Manganiello says losing the Batman role hit him hard.
- Preparing to play Deathstroke helped him through illness.
- His return in the new DC Universe is unconfirmed.
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Deathstroke is a comic-book mercenary who has appeared in several DC films and television shows. Actor Joe Manganiello played him briefly in a post-credit scene in 2017’s Justice League.
Ben Affleck planned to direct and star in a separate Batman film, with Manganiello set to play Deathstroke as a major character. Affleck’s project was dropped and later reworked by director Matt Reeves, with Robert Pattinson taking the lead role. A planned DC project called Savage Hunters is also expected to feature Deathstroke and Bane, though Manganiello’s involvement has not been confirmed.