Deathstroke Movie: Gareth Evans' DC Supervillain Vision
Deathstroke Movie: The DC Supervillain Film That Almost Happened
The Deathstroke movie, a DC supervillain film envisioned by Gareth Evans, the director known for hard-hitting action flicks, almost came to fruition, promising fans a gritty take on the iconic character. Evans, celebrated for his work on action classics, had initially pitched a film centered around Deathstroke, raising anticipation among fans.
Joe Manganiello's appearance as Slade Wilson in the Justice League post-credits scene fueled excitement, with plans for him to reprise the role in a Batman movie. However, changes at Warner Bros. ultimately led to the shelving of Evans' Deathstroke movie project. What factors contributed to this outcome?
Plans for Deathstroke's inclusion in the DC Extended Universe began in 2016, with Ben Affleck sharing a video of Manganiello in full Deathstroke gear. Evans then entered discussions to write and direct a solo Deathstroke movie after Affleck passed on the reins of The Batman to Matt Reeves.
However, the underwhelming performance of Justice League and subsequent leadership shifts at Warner Bros. caused the project to stall. Evans shared his vision for the film with Yahoo! Entertainment, revealing that his approach to Deathstroke would align with his signature style, emphasizing a lean and gritty narrative.
Gareth Evans' Vision for the Deathstroke Movie
Evans envisioned a concise origin story for Deathstroke, aiming for a runtime of around 100 to 110 minutes. He drew inspiration from South Korean noir films, seeking to capture their texture, tone, grit, and aggression to tell Deathstroke's story. Wouldn't that have been an incredible take on the character?
Evans' concept aligned with Deathstroke's comic book origins, portraying Slade Wilson as a Korean War veteran who applied his skills to guerrilla warfare and underwent a military project that enhanced his abilities. While it would have been captivating to witness this origin on screen, it was not meant to be.
Joe Manganiello demonstrated unparalleled dedication to the Deathstroke movie, writing a treatment for the film and enlisting Gareth Evans to direct. He even explored adapting the treatment into a comic book with Jim Lee, a legendary artist. There were even discussions for Manganiello to appear as Deathstroke in The Suicide Squad, before James Gunn's involvement.
Manganiello's Dedication and Snyder's Justice League
Following Gunn and Peter Safran's restructuring of DC Studios, Manganiello's plans were sidelined when Gunn advised him to "let it go." However, Manganiello reprised his role in Zack Snyder's Justice League, where Deathstroke discovers Bruce Wayne's identity and appears in the "Knightmare" future.
The mohawk hairstyle sported by Deathstroke in the "Knightmare" scene was inspired by Manganiello's original treatment, as he revealed on Josh Horowitz's Happy.Sad.Confused podcast. He envisioned Deathstroke shaving his head into a warlike style, signaling a suicide mission.
Despite Evans and Manganiello's inability to bring Deathstroke to the big screen, the character may still have a future in film. A film centered around Deathstroke and Bane is reportedly in development at DC Studios, with Matthew Orton penning the screenplay. Furthermore, a new Teen Titans film is in development, potentially featuring Deathstroke as a villain.
The Future of Deathstroke on Screen
Given the success of villain-centric films like Joker and Venom, it would have been fascinating to witness Evans' interpretation of Deathstroke. Could we still see a Deathstroke movie in the future?
Zack Snyder's Justice League is available to stream on Max. The film offers a glimpse of what could have been, leaving fans to imagine the possibilities of a full-fledged Deathstroke movie.
Ultimately, while Gareth Evans' Deathstroke movie remains unrealized, the dedication of individuals like Joe Manganiello and the ongoing developments at DC Studios suggest that the iconic supervillain may yet find his place on the silver screen, offering hope for fans eager to see Deathstroke's story unfold.