Joe Manganiello's casting as the formidable mercenary Deathstroke was initially met with excitement from fans, especially when it was revealed he was slated to be the primary antagonist in Ben Affleck's planned solo Batman film. Affleck was set to direct, produce, and co-write the project, setting the stage for a major cinematic confrontation.
However, as Manganiello recounted in an interview with Rich Roll, reported by EcranLarge, that promising beginning quickly dissolved into frustration. The actor had dedicated himself to rigorous physical preparation for what he anticipated would be a six-month-long action shoot. Yet, the standalone Batman film, with Affleck at the helm, never came to fruition. Affleck stepped down as director in early 2017, and the project was eventually reimagined as The Batman with Robert Pattinson, leaving Manganiello's Deathstroke without a clear path.
"Everyone knows what happened. Batman was canceled, and I only got to play the character for about two minutes in reshoots," Manganiello stated, referring to his post-credits scene appearance in Justice League and its expanded version in Zack Snyder's Justice League.
His experience wasn't an isolated incident but rather symptomatic of the DCEU's broader struggles. Over a decade, the franchise saw numerous projects announced only to be scrapped, including a Deadshot solo film, a Cyborg movie, Nightwing, Gotham City Sirens, and even Man of Steel 2. The recent string of box office disappointments for Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom further underscored the narrative of an extended universe struggling to find its footing before its eventual reboot under James Gunn and Peter Safran.
For Manganiello, the years following the Batman cancellation were a continuous cycle of hope and disappointment. He described a period of six years filled with calls to his agent, hinting at his character's inclusion in various productions like Aquaman 2 or Suicide Squad 2, or even a standalone Deathstroke feature. Each time, the possibilities evaporated.
"I was lucky to have landed that role, but I felt unlucky because it was canceled and disappeared. I feel cursed," he reflected on the emotional toll of these unfulfilled promises. The constant shift in creative direction and executive leadership at Warner Bros. meant that characters and storylines were frequently jettisoned, leaving actors like Manganiello in limbo.
Despite the past frustrations, the future of DC Comics adaptations offers a glimmer of hope. With James Gunn's new DC Universe in development, the landscape is shifting. Actors like Jason Momoa (Aquaman to Lobo) and Xolo Maridueña (Blue Beetle) are reportedly transitioning or continuing their roles in the new continuity. Furthermore, reports suggest a Deathstroke vs. Bane film is being explored for the new DC Universe, indicating that Manganiello's character might yet get another shot at the big screen, perhaps even with a new actor taking on the mantle. For now, Manganiello's candid account serves as a poignant reminder of the turbulent history of the DCEU.