James Gunn Guarantees DC Fans Will Soon Witness Their Beloved Villain in Action

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James Gunn has confirmed that the iconic villain Deathstroke will play a pivotal role in the DC Universe.
The anticipated introduction of Deathstroke might disrupt previous plans associated with Zack Snyder’s now-obsolete DC Extended Universe.
Fans are excitedly anticipating a dramatic confrontation between Deathstroke and Batman, with hopes that Gunn will do justice to the character.

James Gunn, the creative head of DC Studios, has announced that Slade Wilson, better known as Deathstroke, will be elevated within the DC Universe. This development comes even as Matt Reeves’ Batman series takes a new direction with the Dark Knight’s rogues gallery.

In addition to confirming a future project titled Batman: The Brave and the Bold, directed by Andy Muschietti, details regarding Batman’s role within the DCU remain sparse. While anticipation builds for David Corenswet’s upcoming Superman film, set to release in eight months, and a Green Lantern HBO series nearing production, the future of the Caped Crusader and his legendary foes is still uncertain. Recent statements from Gunn, however, indicate that Deathstroke—who has appeared in various live-action forms in titles such as *Smallville*, *Titans*, *Arrow*, and *Justice League*—is set to be a key character in his upcoming universe.

Responding to an inquiry on Threads about the potential for Slade Wilson within the DCU, James Gunn delivered an encouraging response: “Yes and Yes.” However, it remains unclear if this relates to a rumored project involving both Bane and Deathstroke, which writer Matthew Orton, known for *Captain America: Brave New World*, is speculated to be working on. Furthermore, Gunn did not indicate whether Deathstroke would serve as the primary antagonist in the upcoming *Batman: The Brave and the Bold* film.

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Deathstroke’s potential debut represents one of the DCU’s most significant villain showcases to date, particularly following the confirmation of Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor in the upcoming Superman project. If introduced in a cinematic format, it would mark only his second major appearance, following his cameo in the post-credits scene of 2017’s *Justice League*, where Joe Manganiello portrayed him donning the iconic eye patch and distinctive armor.

For those nostalgic for Zack Snyder’s vision, often coined the Snyderverse, the news may evoke mixed feelings. Even prior to the *Justice League* release, plans were underway for Manganiello’s Deathstroke to confront Ben Affleck’s Batman in a dedicated film, a project that ultimately fell through. Nevertheless, the dream of an epic showdown between Deathstroke and Batman—similar to the intense conflicts depicted in the *Batman: Arkham Origins* game—continues to resonate. It seems Gunn’s DCU may finally provide the canvas for this long-awaited confrontation.

Previously, Manganiello’s opportunity to reprise his role was anticipated in Leslie Grace’s cancelled *Batgirl* movie. Now, with his commitments to Netflix’s *One Piece* and the DCU’s ambitious reset, his return appears unlikely. Nevertheless, fans are hopeful that Gunn will capture the complexity of Deathstroke’s character, allowing for a nuanced origin story that examines his brutal nature and combat prowess. Rather than relegating him to a secondary role alongside a character like Bane, audiences hope for an in-depth exploration of Deathstroke’s narrative, ideally featuring mature themes reflective of his character’s ruthless background. Whatever route Gunn takes, the forthcoming arrival of Deathstroke in the DCU is expected to be a major topic of discussion among fans.

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