James Gunn teases that Deathstroke may join the New DC Universe. Hollywood Nuts
After James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, teased the possibility of Deathstroke’s return to the DC Universe, it appears that this is indeed a possibility. Under Gunn and Peter Safran’s management, the DCU is moving in a new direction. On November 1, the two DC Studios executives took over the reins of the erstwhile DC Films division. The DCU will be rebooted by the new DC Studios after failing to establish a cinematic universe for almost ten years in an effort to become a more unified series. The management of the DCU’s television, film, and animation will fall to Gunn and Safran.
Gunn has recently been answering questions from fans on Twitter regarding what lies next for the DC Universe. One fan asked if Gunn’s new connected universe may include Deathstroke alias Slade Wilson. Gunn’s subtle response, which avoided giving away any plot details, seemed to imply that Deathstroke might genuinely be joining the DC Universe. Below is a look at his response:
Any plans for deathstroke in the dcu?
— Jared (@OJTheGooseMan) December 20, 2022
What This Could Mean For Deathstroke From Joe Manganiello
Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke made a brief cameo in the 2017 film Justice League, which took place in the original DC Universe. Manganiello’s Deathstroke had his extensive narrative restored in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which debuted on HBO Max in 2021, even though it wasn’t canon within the main franchise. According to rumours, Warner Bros. is developing a Deathstroke movie with Manganiello attached to the lead role and Gareth Evans at the helm. Deathstroke has been caught in a development rut, much like numerous other DC abandoned film projects before it.
However, Gunn’s new DC Universe may include Deathstroke, which might signify one of two things for the character and Manganiello. Since Manganiello never truly committed to his role as Deathstroke, DC Studios wouldn’t have to deal with a lot of continuity issues in his films. Manganiello would be able to delve further into the DC character than he ever could in previous years by integrating him into the new DCU. This would also enable DC Studios to make use of some of the Deathstroke concepts left over from the previous administration and his standalone DC film.
However, it appears more likely that Deathstroke, played by Manganiello, will be recast and given a fresh start. Gunn and Safran will have the last say because it is still unknown whether they would completely reinvent the DC Universe. Manganiello, who has long expressed his excitement in playing Deathstroke, had a little opportunity to relish his role as the DC assassin. There is a lot that can be done with Manganiello as Deathstroke in Slade’s mythos if all the parties involved are ready to make it happen. Time will tell where Slade might appear in the films or related TV series since that Gunn has hinted that Deathstroke may or may not be in the new DC Universe.