James Gunn is teasing that The DCU's Rebrand Has Made A Crucial Franchise Mistake
The DCU Should Revive Gareth Evans' Deathstroke Movie
Now that James Gunn is teasing Deathstroke as part of his DCU plans, the revamped franchise should revive Gareth Evans' Deathstroke movie. The solo origin film for Slade Wilson was announced to be in development in 2017. It immediately became one of the more exciting DC movies due to Evans' experience making incredible action films like The Raid: Redemption and The Raid 2. The director likened his pitch for the movie to dark and unforgiving Korean noir films. However, the Deathstroke movie was effectively canceled in early 2020 as Gareth Evans revealed that neither he nor the studio was actively developing it.
While Peter Safran and James Gunn's tenure as the co-CEOs of DC Studios has been filled with canceling existing projects like Wonder Woman 3, reviving Deathstroke would be smart. The film could bring a character to theaters that audiences do not have much familiarity with in the movies. Gareth Evan's Deathstroke movie starring Joe Manganiello could be a low-budget tentpole that delivers something new to the DCU. There is even room for it to be re-developed as an HBO Max series if it is not viewed as suitable for a wide theatrical release.
Could Joe Manganiello Return As Deathstroke In The DCU?
Regardless of if the Deathstroke movie is made, seeing Joe Manganiello get a fair chance to play Slade Wilson in the DCU would also be a welcomed decision by Gunn and Safran. The actor is a huge fan of the character and has spent years trying to find a way to return as the character. His minor appearances to this point could make a return unlikely, though. The DCU is mainly moving away from Justice League actors - with Henry Cavill officially out and Jason Momoa and Gal Gadot possibly leaving too - so Joe Manganiello likely will not stick around if all other prominent actors are recast.
If there is a silver lining for Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke return chances, his friendship with James Gunn could help keep him around. The two are friends in real life, and just as it is unlikely that Gunn recasts Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, John Cena's Peacemaker, and others he has worked with, he could make an exception to retain Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke. If that is part of the plan, it should be fun to see how Slade Wilson is used, whether in a Deathstroke movie or another project.
