The Wrap: Gareth Evans in Talks to Direct Deathstroke Film

This is an abbreviated version of an article from The Wrap:

“The Raid” helmer Gareth Evans is in early discussions to write and direct DC Comics Assassin “Deathstroke” film, TheWrap has exclusively learned.

 

“True Blood” and “Magic Mike” star Joe Manganiello is attached to star. Deathstroke was previously attached to be the antagonist on the solo “The Batman” film when Ben Affleck was still attached to direct. “He’s a great villain because — I just had an instinctive feeling that he would match up with him well. You know, I’m a big admirer of that character as well, especially in the New 52 the way that they did Deathstroke, and I thought that it could work,” Affleck told Collider.

Last year, Affleck posted a cryptic tweet of Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke walking ominously toward the camera, which set of a frenzy of speculation.

After Affleck stepped down and Matt Reeves was hired to direct “The Batman,” Reeves shelved Affleck’s script and started over. Evans who initially passed on directing “Justice League Dark,” however impressed DC executives with his Deathstroke pitch that the company decided to go forward with a spinoff film.

Evans exploded onto the scene after he wrote and directed the 2011 action film “The Raid: Redemption” that starred Iko Uwais. The movie was praised for its unique action sequences and thrilling scenes, and was acquired for the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics. The sequel, “The Raid 2” also written and directed by Evans, was released in 2014.

Potentially exciting stuff. I don't want to get my hopes up too high because this kind of thing can be pretty fluid at this early stage but there's cause for optimism.
Manganiello, when speculation began to surface to the effect that he would not be included in the Batman movie, said something to the effect that he knew everything but wasn't allowed to share. That seems like the kind of thing you'd say when you have every reason to believe you're getting your own movie after getting bumped from one.

Deathstroke Annual in January!

DC Comics solicitations for January became available today and I liked the way Bleeding Cool went about it. They copied the pages from the Diamond catalogue.

The text is a little hard to read though, even at full size, so let me blow that up for you:

DEATHSTROKE #27
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and JASON PAZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“The Fall of Slade” part two! Father and son clash when Jericho flies to rescue Deathstroke from Jericho’s ex—the resurrected Dr. Ikon! 

Meanwhile, Terra is summoned to an ambush by the Forgotten, the deadly leader of the White Lotus, and worlds collide as the New Super-Man demands Deathstroke’s arrest! 

On sale JANUARY 3 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+  

DEATHSTROKE ANNUAL #1
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DENYS COWAN and BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK 

“An Innocent Man”! Team Defiance is pushed to the edge of oblivion when one of their own ends up dead—and Deathstroke is to blame! Is this the end of Slade Wilson’s hero turn? It’s all been building to this—don’t miss the finale of “Defiance,” the events of which will lead Deathstroke down a shocking new path! 

On sale JANUARY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T+

One of their own is killed and Deathstroke is to blame. Based on the cover to #27 up there and her appearance in Teen Titans in the 80s (The Judas Contract specifically), I'm not liking your odds, Terra...

Dream Team! Deathstroke And...Aquaman?

This is interesting. Joshua Williamson, writer of the Flash and Justice League vs. Suicide Squad books for DC, posted the image below on Twitter a few days ago. It reveals at least a small appearance by our main man in Flash #33, out this month, as part of the ongoing Metal storyline running through the Bat books.

Check out this amazing 2-page spread @MrHowardPorter & @hificolor did for FLASH #33. The 1st part of the Bats out of Hell crossover! METAL!

He's involved with some pretty heavy hitters there. Wonder what his motivation is? And why he'd be partnered with Aquaman, of all people.

No mention of him or any of the other guest stars above in the solicitation text, however, so his contribution might amount to little more than the panel above.

THE FLASH #33
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by HOWARD PORTER
Cover by NEIL GOOGE
Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER 

“JUSTICE INSURGENCE” part one! 

After the harrowing events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL #3, the JUSTICE LEAGUE has scattered around the world to find the only artifacts that can fight back against the invasion of the Dark Multiverse. The League thinks they know how to take back their world, but they are not prepared for who is standing in their way. The Seven Dark Knights of the Dark Multiverse. All the brilliance of Batman, but none of the morals.

Barry Allen, The Fastest Man Alive, is the first to get a taste of their plan, as BATMAN: THE RED DEATH takes him on at the Fortress of Solitude.

So could it be that Deathstroke actually guest-stars in an Aquaman? Not in October, as Aquaman's issue that month features the fifth part of a story entitled Underground. That story concludes in November. Part two of Bats Out Of Hell takes place in Justice #32.  Aquaman is on the cover, but there's no sign of Deathstroke.

Maybe the preview material will reveal a bit more. At this point it doesn't look like we'll see much of him but it's cool to see him included at all.