Manganiello's journey as the formidable assassin Deathstroke began with high hopes. Originally, the character was slated to be the primary antagonist in Ben Affleck's planned The Batman film. When that project ultimately dissolved, it seemed his time as Deathstroke might be over. However, as Manganiello shared with SlashFilm via the Rich Roll interview, Warner Bros. had a surprising array of concepts for the character, none of which ever came to fruition.

Over a period of six years following his initial Justice League appearance, Manganiello's agent frequently received calls regarding Deathstroke's future. The possibilities were varied and ambitious, reflecting a period of shifting creative directions within the DCEU. At one point, there was a standalone Deathstroke movie in development, with The Raid director Gareth Evans attached. Other proposals included Manganiello's Deathstroke as the villain in Aquaman 2, which eventually became Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. He was also considered for various iterations of Suicide Squad 2, with discussions even centering on a potential Deadshot versus Deathstroke film after Will Smith departed the sequel due to scheduling conflicts.

Reflecting on the whirlwind of proposed projects that never materialized, Manganiello quipped, "Am I lucky or unlucky?" He admitted to feeling cursed at the time, as each new possibility for the character was ultimately canceled. This string of unfulfilled promises highlighted the lack of a cohesive long-term strategy for the DC Extended Universe during what is often referred to as the Snyderverse era, prior to James Gunn and Peter Safran taking the helm of DC Studios.

Yet, despite the professional disappointments, Manganiello found a silver lining in his commitment to the role. He revealed that preparing for Deathstroke's physically demanding portrayal inadvertently helped him recover from serious health issues, including a surgery where his entire large intestine was removed. The rigorous training and focus required for the character became a crucial part of his recuperation.

"If it wasn't for that role, I don't know that the reconnection would work. I don't know that I'm healthy enough," Manganiello stated, emphasizing the profound personal impact. "That role. I have the helmet in my office, and it's the greatest accomplishment of my life."

While Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke never truly got to shine in the DCEU, the character of Deathstroke is not being entirely abandoned. DC Studios is currently developing a Batman villain team-up movie for its new DC Universe, reportedly featuring both Bane and Deathstroke. However, Manganiello is not expected to reprise the role in this new iteration, marking a definitive end to his chapter as the iconic mercenary.