HOT: James Gunn Told Joe Manganiello To Let It Go After He Met Him About Playing Deathstroke Again

Information reaching Kossyderrickent has it that James Gunn told Joe Manganiello to let it go after he met him about playing Deathstroke again.

Speaking to ComicBook.com, Manganiello reflected on his conversations with Gunn about the role. While he may never reprise the role in live-action form, he found a way to continue the legacy of the character in graphic novel form.

“James [Gunn] is my buddy, and James and I had a conversation about it because Jim Lee over at DC Comics wanted me to create a graphic novel series based on the screenplay that I wrote for the Deathstroke origin film that, when they were dismantling the DCEU, that went to the wayside as well,” Manganiello revealed. “Jim read it, and wanted it to be a graphic novel series, but no one could assure me that, if it garnered the attention of directors and producers, that I couldn’t be attached. So I had to let it go. James Gunn was just like, ‘Let it go.’”

Gunn and Safran are working together to create a new DC Universe, which is set to begin with the premiere of this year’s Creature Commandos. After the animated series premieres on Max, the franchise will fly towards the big screen with the debut of next summer’s Superman: Legacy, introducing David Corenswet as the new iteration of the Man of Steel. These adventures will be followed by titles such as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and the second season of Peacemaker, as Gunn and Safran attempt to breathe new life into the series. The DC Extended Universe came to a close with the release of last year’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.

Manganiello’s time as Deathsroke was brief, with the actor stepping into the shoes of Slade Wilson during a post-credits sequence attached to the theatrical cut of Justice League. Although Manganiello was seen as Deathstroke again during Zack Snyder’s Justice League, his appearance was also short, with the character never really getting an opportunity to shine in the DC Extended Universe. Deathstroke was supposed to be the main antagonist of a Batman movie featuring Ben Affleck in the titular role, but the film was never made. Unfortunately for Manganiello, he won’t get to portray the villain in the new iteration of the franchise.