Joe Manganiello Says The Batman Will Be 'Action-Packed & Cerebral'

Ben Affleck as Batman in Batman V Superman

In 2013, Zack Snyder launched the DC Extended Universe with the release of the Henry Cavill-starring Man of Steel. Since then, the DCEU has delivered two more films in Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad. While the three films have had their share of detractors, DC has accomplished its goal of launching a shared cinematic universe with some of the biggest DC Comics characters ever. Praise has also been pretty consistent for the performances of both Ben Affleck (as Bruce Wayne/Batman) and Gal Gadot (Diana Prince/Wonder Woman) in the DCEU.

Gal Gadot will return as Diana Prince in 2017's Wonder Woman, before co-starring in Snyder's highly anticipated team-up film, Justice League. As for Affleck, he will return as Bruce Wayne in Justice League and is co-writing/directing the Dark Knight's next solo film - tentatively titled The Batman. Not much is known regarding the solo film other than Affleck will be starring, and he is waiting to make sure the script is right. However, we do know that one of the main antagonists in the film will be Slade Wilson/Deathstroke, as portrayed by Joe Manganiello.

Manganiello recently sat down with former professional wrestling commentator, Mark Madden, and the two spoke about Ben Affleck's The Batman. This is what Manganiello had to say:

"When I met Ben we sat down and we talked about, you know, the role. We talked about the movie. His take is a fresh take but I think the audience is going to be surprised. Because it's a road that no one's really gone down that's completely integral to, you know, who Batman is. And I think it's gonna be refreshing but at the same time completely familiar. But it's going to take this franchise in a direction that I think A LOT of people are going to be really happy about. It's going to be gritty and action packed and cerebral and all of those elements that people love about Batman.

Ben's a great director, man. I mean the last movie that man directed won best picture. He's got an Oscar for writing. Like, this is all the components to go down as a... everything is lined up for a really really really great movie. Not only a superhero movie but just a great great movie."

While not giving anything away, and not really mentioning anything too surprising, the actor does give a reassuring description of what fans can expect when The Batman eventually hits theaters. The Dark Knight is one of the most popular comic book characters of all time and a successful solo outing is integral to the future success of the DCEU. Since the 1960s, Batman has appeared in eight solo films (not including Batman V Superman) - meaning a lot of ground has already been covered. It is thus good to hear that Affleck will be attempting a fresh take on the character - one that may explore Batman's detective skills in a way that no live-action film has before it.

Affleck will be joining accomplished directors like Tim Burton and Christopher Nolan who have also helmed Batman films. Unlike Burton and Nolan, though, Affleck has won two Academy Awards, bringing a different kind of credibility to the production. Affleck's directorial work includes films like Gone Baby Gone, The Town, and the upcoming Live by Night (of course his film, Argo, won an Oscar for Best Picture). Those films are all crime and/or detective movie, which in arguably what a good Batman film should be (and, by the sound of The Batman, will be).