‘Magic Mike’ Star Joe Manganiello Is Deathstroke In Ben Affleck’s ‘Batman’

So far, the launch of the DC Extended Universe has been a lesson in snatching a tie from the jaws of victory. Even after the mixed reaction to 2013’s “Man Of Steel,” both “Batman V. Superman” and “Suicide Squad” were greeted with fan goodwill, but proved to be grim, incoherent messes that alienated critics and audiences alike this year. Neither will end up as money-losers, but given their inflated budgets, neither will be the kind of cash cows that Warner Bros. hoped for.

READ MORE: How Warner Bros. Turned The DC Movie Universe Into A Franchise Problem Child

The studio has been attempting to course-correct with a well-received “Wonder Woman” trailer and a ‘lighter’ tone for “Justice League,” but the strongest prospects might be with the “Batman” solo movie that Ben Affleck will direct and star in. Affleck’s suggested so far that he’ll only confirm his directorial presence once the script is the best it can be, but work continues to edge forward on the project, with the actor tweeting recent test footage that revealed that Deathstroke will be the film’s villain. And now we know for sure who’ll be playing him.

The Wall Street Journal has confirmed in an interview with DC Films head honcho Geoff Johns that “True Blood” and “Magic Mike” actor Joe Manganiello will play the character. For the uninitiated, Deathstroke is basically Deadpool without the snark (indeed, the latter was essentially created as a parody of the former): a heavily armed mercenary and assassin with special powers.

It’s maybe not the most exciting choice of character, nor the most exciting choice of actor: Manganiello is undeniably physically impressive (especially when dancing in “Magic Mike”), but probably isn’t going to be giving an Oscar-winning performance like Heath Ledger. Still, with Affleck presumably in charge of the casting here, we’re willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

There’s still no firm news on when Affleck’s Batman movie will be released (though it’s unlikely to be before 2018), but the early casting would seem to suggest that Deathstroke could pop up in the still-filming “Justice League,” though Johns wouldn’t confirm.

Elsewhere in the DC movie world, Greg Berlanti, the mastermind of the small-screen DC world, is developing a movie based on the lighter-hearted character of Booster Gold. But Berlanti says not to expect that project to crossover with the rest of the franchises. “As of right now, we have no connective tissue to those worlds,” he told Vulture. Another coherent decision from DC Films!