Joe Manganiello reveals he doesn't think he'll play the DC Extended Universe's Deathstroke again and expressing he's "let go" of the role. Created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, first made his debut in the DC Comics world with 1980's The New Teen Titans under the slightly different name Deathstroke the Terminator. Wilson is a skilled assassin who was the volunteer for a government experiment that granted him superhuman abilities including enhanced intelligence, strength, agility, speed, durability and stamina, heightened his senses and allowed him further mastery of his swordsman and marksman skills.

Deathstroke is one of the most iconic villains of the DC Comics world, serving primarily as an archenemy to the Teen Titans, namely Dick Grayson, while also acting as an antagonist to Batman, Green Arrow and the Justice League. The character has been adapted for both film and television, most notably in the animated Teen Titans series voiced by Ron Perlman as well as in The CW's Arrowverse portrayed by Manu Bennett and the HBO Max series Titans played by Esai Morales. Deathstroke made his cinematic debut in the post-credits scene of the theatrical cut of Justice League, establishing a future for him in the DCEU with Manganiello donning the mantle, though now it seems plans may have changed.

Related: What Joe Manganiello's HBO Max Deathstroke Show Would Look Like

While speaking with ComingSoon.net for the animated fantasy epic The Spine of Night, Manganiello reflected on his time as the DCEU's Deathstroke. When asked whether he would reprise the role of the iconic assassin after Zack Snyder's Justice League, Manganiello revealed he has let go of the character and likely won't play him again. See what Manganiello said below:

"No, I let that go a while ago."

Deathstroke in Justice League

Since making his DCEU debut in the theatrical cut of Justice League, Manganiello's Deathstroke has been a point of anticipation amongst audiences for the potential he brought to the role. The actor was subsequently attached to a variety of projects in the franchise, including serving as an antagonist for The Batman when it was still to be directed by and starring Ben Affleck as well as his own solo film from writer/director Gareth Evans. Due to the troubled nature of Justice League resulting in a shift of direction from Warner Bros. and DC Films, Deathstroke's DCEU future seemed darker by the minute, though his return in Zack Snyder's Justice League earlier this year and Manganiello's statements that there were discussions at the studio for several projects involving Snyder and the character left some hopeful.

For those who were hoping that Manganiello would get to return as the DCEU's Deathstroke, be it a solo film or his HBO Max origin story series idea, are sure to be disappointed to hear he has let go of the role. Given the rocky nature of development Manganiello was privy to during his time in the DCEU, it's understandable he would elect to move on to other things rather than keep waiting for the studio greenlight to come back. While his DCEU future is seemingly over, audiences can at least look forward to Manganiello reuniting with Snyder for Netflix's Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas animated series set to premiere in Spring 2022.

More: Every Canceled DCEU Movie Set Up In Zack Snyder's Justice League

Source: ComingSoon.net

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