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If there’s one DC villain that fans have been dying to see again on the big screens, it’s Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke. People have especially been rooting for a Batman vs. Deathstroke showdown for ages now, and in light of the current changes being carried out at DC Studios, they’re hoping that their prayers get answered sooner than later.
The first and the last time they had the opportunity to see the 45-year-old actor portray the character of Slade Wilson, aka, Deathstroke, was inJustice League(2017), after which he reprised the role inZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguein 2021. But in both the films, Joe Manganiello didn’t receive a lot of screen time, thereby making fans wanting to see more of the supervillain in future DC projects. And with the way things are going on at the superhero franchise, people are counting on James Gunn to bring the deadly assassin back in the game.
Related:James Gunn Reportedly Planning to Bring Back Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke to DCU
DC Fans Hope for the Return of Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke
Ever since theJoe Manganielloappeared as the formidable supervillain inJustice LeagueagainstBen Affleck‘s Batman, DC fans immediately started to hail Deathstroke as they demanded a film about Bruce Wayne going against Slade Wilson.
However, after Manganiello depicted the character inZack Snyder’s Justice League, he doused any further expectations of fans by pointing out how he wasn’t planning on returning to the DCU as Deathstroke anytime soon.
Related:Deathstroke Actor Joe Manganiello Proves He’s Just as Huge a Nerd as His DCEU Co-Star Henry Cavill, Trolls AEW Wrestler MJF for Trash-Talking Dungeons and Dragons
But the trajectory of DC Studios has been changing for a while now withJames Gunnand Peter Safran concocting some big plans for the franchise. And while fans are mourning the loss of many potential films likeMan of Steel 2andWonder Woman 3that might end up getting discarded, at the same time, they have their fingers crossed as they hope Gunn doesn’t end up removing Deathstroke too.
People really seem to be holding onto the hope that DC’s co-CEOs will bring Manganiello’s one-eyed mercenary back to the franchise in a movie opposite the Dark Knight.
I would’ve loved to see this movie on the big screen
— Jack (@CallmeJack__)Aug 20, 2025
https://twitter.com/jo_el1106/status/1602468402441981952?t=vKnjMq4ub5E0pJWZ1jEIoQ&s=19
Related:DC Needs to Deliver Justice League 2 by 2026 to Compete With Avengers: Secret Wars
Maybe there’s still a chance. He was almost in James Gunn’s Suicide Squad.
— Ryan Kainec (@RyanKainec77)July 29, 2025
Jesus this sounds like something that would have been amazing to see
— ROB LIFTS (@robblifts)June 23, 2025
While nothing can be said for sure, the prospect of Deathstroke vs. Batman seems to be on the radar of most of the fans, so maybe turning it into reality wouldn’t be the worst idea for DC to get back on track after rendering a huge chunk of its fanbase upset with the new changes.
Will James Gunn Bring Back Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke?
Although it is impossible to tell just what thePeacemakerdirector has in store for the DCU, bringing back Deathstroke could certainly be a good restoration tactic because it could kill two birds with one stone – giving fans what they want, thereby keeping them happy, and expanding the character’s storyline by propping him against Batman. Surely, a film led by Affleck and Manganiello, comprising two of the most dangerous, fan-favorite characters, would be prove to be of immense benefit for the studio as well.
Related:Joe Manganiello Reportedly Returning as Deathstroke Alongside Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck, Fans Convinced Batman vs Deathstroke Happening Soon
Sources also claimed thatDeathstroke was likely to be expected as a new member of Checkmate, the government intelligence agency led by Amanda Waller. But these rumors have yet to be backed up by concrete evidence.
Either way, there are plenty of ways Gunn can go about with the reinstallation of Manganiello’s Deathstroke, so hopefully, fans might just get what they’ve been wanting for so long.
Source:Twitter
Khushi Shah
Articles Published :857
With a prolific knowledge of everything pop culture and a strong penchant for writing, Khushi has penned over 700 articles during her time as an author at FandomWire.An abnormal psychology student and an fervent reader of dark fiction, her most trusted soldiers are coffee and a good book.
