DC has finally started to gather its bearings and that too at quite a commendable pace.
After Batgirl‘s cancellation, a few corporate blunders, and the end of Walter Hamada’s tenure, the future of the franchise started to look bleak. But that has started to change quickly with the new additions that have recently been introduced to the franchise, including the reinstallation of Henry Cavill’s Superman to the DCEU and James Gunn along with Peter Safran being crowned as the CEOs.
And to add to the list of things the franchise seems to be getting in order is the reported return of Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke to the DCEU.
Joe Manganiello is rumored to return as Deathstroke
Fans witnessed Joe Manganiello‘s debut as Deathstroke in the 2017 Justice League as an intimidating and powerful anti-hero, wherein he partnered up with Jesse Eisenberg’s Lex Luthor. But because Slade Wilson’s previous connection to Ben Affleck‘s Batman movie had been scrapped, the only other time he appeared on the big screens was in Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021, after which, the 45-year-old announced his resignation from the role.
However, there has been a faint bustle going on about his reported return to the DCEU. A while ago, certain rumors claimed that Deathstroke v. Batman was most likely to happen, indicating the return of Manganiello’s superhero as well as Affleck’s Bruce Wayne. As per the rumor, Henry Cavill‘s Superman was also going to make a reappearance, which he did. So not all hope is lost.
And according to more recent reports, Deathstroke might just be coming back to the franchise as well, but as a part of the government intelligence agency developed by Amanda Waller, called Checkmate.
Will Deathstroke be a part of Amanda Waller’s Checkmate?
An operational agency functioning covertly, Checkmate serves as an independent division of Task Force X set up by Amanda Waller, aka the Wall. The Checkmate Agency also made an appearance in season 9 of CW’s Smallville with Maxwell Lord at the helm working as the Black King and Amanda Waller running the management as the White Queen.
The clandestine organization of supervillain allies, though falls under a governmental jurisdiction, is nevertheless led by antagonists and corrupt officials. So, if Slade Wilson’s character was to be reprised, then it makes sense for him to be placed amongst such a network. But there’s still uncertainty about the position of power he would assume as a member of the agency.
However, no concrete information about the same has been revealed yet as most of it is mere conjecture. But DC has been one for surprises lately if the comeback of Cavill’s Superman was any sign. So fans might just be able to celebrate Deathstroke’s return in the foreseeable future as well.
Meanwhile, a Man of Steel sequel is already said to be in the works now that Cavill has officially returned as Clark Kent to the DCEU with WB actively looking for writers for the same.
Source: Twitter
