Manganiello struggles against Deathstroke
The Villain’s Rollercoaster: Joe Manganiello on Missed Opportunities in the DCEU
For many actors, the path to a blockbuster role is a thrilling lottery. But for Joe Manganiello, the journey involving his planned villain, Deathstroke, in the DC Extended Universe proved to be more of a frustrating, yet ultimately memorable, rollercoaster of near misses.
Manganiello’s brief appearances as the iconic mercenary in Zack Snyder’s cinematic world—including a tease in the post-credits sequence and scenes in the director’s cut—set up an exciting possibility. The initial vision was for him to step into the role of the main antagonist for the much-anticipated Batman film, promising a high-stakes cinematic entrance for his character.
This initial promise, however, evaporated during the development of the project, leading to a flurry of rumors that never materialized. As the cinematic landscape shifted, the plans for Deathstroke seemed to stall, leaving behind a story of potential that never fully played out in the big screen.
When asked about these experiences, Manganiello offered a candid look at the fluctuating nature of Hollywood development. He reflected on the multiple opportunities that hovered just out of reach, highlighting the constant cycle of being called upon and then seeing projects fall through.
“I’m lucky that I got that part,” Manganiello admitted, “but at the time I felt like I was unlucky because I got this thing that then got cancelled and went away.”
He recounted the frustrating dance of agent calls and project rejections that followed the initial concept. He pointed to the sheer volume of potential roles that existed during that period, including roles in projects like Aquaman 2, Suicide Squad 2, and even potential collaborations with other major stars. The excitement of those possibilities was palpable, yet the reality of the timeline proved elusive.
Though the specific role of Deathstroke remained out of reach, Manganiello’s career continued its dynamic trajectory. He has since landed exciting new roles, demonstrating his versatility and staying power in the industry.
Most recently, Manganiello is set to appear next year as Mr. 0/Sir Crocodile in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece, taking on the role of the primary antagonist, Baroque Works. This new adventure shows that while some cinematic universes may dissolve, the opportunities for talented actors to embark on new, epic sagas continue to unfold.
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