David Ayer already has filled so many roles in his upcoming Suicide Squad adaptation, it’s shocking to learn that there’s room for even more characters. And yet, with each passing day, we field rumors about suggested casting for characters like Rick Flag Sr. and a possible villain in Antiphon. We’d almost forgotten that Deathstroke allegedly was going to play a part in the 2016 film… until this name crossed our desk.
A source close to the production tells us that Magic Mike co-star Joe Manganiello has all but locked up the part of Deathstroke in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. The deal isn't done yet. Jason Clarke is reportedly still in play, but our source says it is an almost certainty that Manganiello has the role. The idea first floated by us back in December, when numerous names were in the mix for the various roles in Ayer’s super-villain screenplay. Since then, the three main actors associated with the project have been Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto, cast as as Deadshot, Harley Quinn and The Joker, respectively. But Deathstroke has remained an uncast mystery… until now.
Joe Manganiello’s name has been attached to superhero projects before, notably for Batman back when Zack Snyder was on the hunt for a Caped Crusader. (Yes, he also played Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man movies, but that was a long time ago.) It’s worth noting that he also has a connection to David Ayer, working with him on the bone-crunching Sabotage in 2014.
Deathstroke is a lethal mercenary, the world’s greatest assassin who often was at odds with the Batman, the Teen Titans and Green Arrow. A former soldier in the U.S. Army, he was enhanced through an experimental super-soldier program, and has tangled with numerous characters as a member of Checkmate, H.I.V.E., the Injustice League, and the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
Back when we first reported the Deathstroke involvement in the Suicide Squad movie, we noted that the character would be Amanda Waller’s personal bodyguard, who will be assigned to "oversee" the Squad while they are on their missions. It sounds like this could be a supporting part – much like The Joker reportedly will only show up in a limited number of important scenes – but Ayer can lay the groundwork for the possible use of Deathstroke (and Manganiello) in future DC Cinematic Universe movies.
We expect the Joe Manganiello news to be confirmed soon. If it is to be, what do you think of the casting? Is he the right guy to play Deathstroke in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad movie, which opens on August 5, 2016?
