Summary

Deathstroke may make a comeback in James Gunn’s DC Universe, as hinted in cryptic social media interaction.
Gunn is a big fan of Deathstroke and almost included him in his 2021 reboot of
The Suicide Squad
, showcasing his interest in the character.
Deathstroke could potentially appear in upcoming DC projects like
Batman: Brave and the Bold
or
Teen Titans
, offering multiple avenues for his return.

Deathstroke, one of the most iconic villains from DC Comics, could be making a triumphant return in James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe (DCU). Gunn is currently hard at work on his Superman reboot, starring David Corenswet as the titular Man of Steel, a project which is over halfway through shooting. However, the director still finds the time to respond to some fans on social media, answering their questions about the future of DC movies.

Instagram is currently the director’s Q+A platform of choice, and Gunn recently took to the platform to cryptically engage with a fan’s curiosity about the future of Deathstroke on the big screen. Numerous new projects have been announced for the DCU’s first slate, titled ‘Gods and Monsters’. Many of these movies and shows could potentially feature the iconic mercenary. However, he hasn’t officially been announced for any of them.

On one of his recent posts, a fan asked the director to “please wink if you have plans for Deathstroke, I am waiting for my boy to shine for so long.” Gunn’s reply was swift and concise, simply writing back with the winking face emoji.

Instagram/@jamesgunn

Gunn has previously stated he is a big fan of the character, and that he almost used him in his 2021 reboot of The Suicide Squad, a remake of David Ayer’s panned 2016 version. In a now deleted tweet (via ComicBook.com) from 2021, Gunn released a list of characters that didn’t make the final cut for The Suicide Squad, saying “When I first considered taking the job of writing #TheSuicideSquad I kept a file folder of characters I was considering. Here are just a few (of many) that didn’t make the cut (for now!)” As well as Deathstroke, the list also included notable (and unusual) villains like, Mr. Freeze, Solomon Grundy, KG Beast, Man-Bat, Livewire, Chemo, Killer Frost, and Black Spider.

Where Could Deathstroke Appear in the DC Universe?

Manganiello’s Deathstroke has had a tumultuous journey on returning to the big screen. Manganiello has technically played the role twice; first at the end of the 2017 cut of Justice League, and again (in a slightly larger role) in Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. Following his first appearance in the 2017 version, Deathstroke was slated to receive his own standalone movie. However, this project was ultimately shelved. The character was also set to return in a standalone Batman movie, which would see Ben Affleck return as the Caped Crusader. This project ultimately went through numerous changes, culminating in Matt Reeves’ The Batman starring Robert Pattinson.

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As previously stated, there are several upcoming DC projects where Slade Wilson/Deathstroke could appear. The character is most closely associated with Batman, given that both are powerless and are connected to the League of Shadows. There is a chance that he could appear in Batman: Brave and the Bold, which will also see the first big screen appearance of Damien Wayne (the son of Bruce Wayne) in a storyline heavily featuring the League of Shadows. Stemming from his connection to Batman, Deathstroke could also appear in the upcoming Teen Titans movie.

Alternatively, Deathstroke could return via the medium of TV. Both Peacemaker Season 2 and the upcoming Waller series could easily play host to Slade Wilson, as the mercenary has worked under Amanda Waller many times. It is currently uncertain if Manganiello will actually return as Slade Wilson in the future.

Superman
, the first movie in James Gunn’s DC Universe, is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.