Joe Manganiello‘s time as Deathstroke in the DC Extended Universe may have been brief, but the character clearly left a lasting impact on his life. Despite never getting the chance to fully explore the DC villain on screen, the actor looks back on the experience with genuine emotion.
Joe Manganiello Reflects On Deathstroke’s Personal Impact
For fans, Manganiello’s Deathstroke remains one of the biggest missed opportunities in the DCEU. His appearance in the post-credits scene of Justice League teased a much larger future for the mercenary, including a potential confrontation with Ben Affleck’s Batman.
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Unfortunately, those plans never came to fruition. But for Manganiello, the role meant far more than a potential franchise opportunity. While losing the opportunity to play Deathstroke in a larger story was undoubtedly disappointing, Manganiello revealed that the character arrived at a particularly important time in his life.
“How unlucky am I? I feel like I’m cursed. I get this thing. It gives me hope, and now it’s gone,” he added. However, he also acknowledged how fortunate he was to have received the opportunity in the first place. The role helped him through a difficult period, making its significance much greater than anything audiences saw on screen.
He also credited the experience with helping him reach a healthier mental state. “It’s the greatest accomplishment of my life,” he said, referring to the role. The actor even keeps Deathstroke’s helmet in his office, a reminder of what the character represents to him.
Could Deathstroke Still Return to the DC Universe?
Manganiello’s comments make the character’s unfinished story even more bittersweet. Much like Channing Tatum’s long-awaited opportunity to play Gambit in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine‘, Deathstroke remains a role the actor never got to fully develop.
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Unfortunately, there is currently no confirmed indication that Manganiello will return as the assassin in James Gunn’s DC Universe. DC Studios is reportedly developing a movie centered on Deathstroke and Bane, but Manganiello’s involvement has not been confirmed.
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