“Justice League”: Joe Manganiello *IS* Deathstroke

Deathstroke is coming BACK to the Warner Brothers DC Universe, and we’re not talking about another Suicide Squad. It was announced earlier this year that Oscar winner Ben Affleck would be taking over the main Batman films as director and executive producer, as well as having a hand in the writing.  This came as a shock to most, a bane to some, and for everyone else, a promising caped stride forward.

This latest casting tidbit comes hot on the heels of Affleck releasing some ‘test footage’ of baddie Deathstroke, confirming the rumors of the character’s involvement in the next film:

Of course this caused collective fanboys and girls to lose their minds, even more rumors swirling over a possible storyline taking place in Arkham, which was quickly shot down on twitter.

But today, DC Comics president and CCO Geoff Johns spoke to the Wall Street Journal, laying out plans for the upcoming films, as well as announcing the addition of Manganiello (True Blood, Magic Mike) as Deathstroke.

“Mistakenly in the past I think the studio has said, ‘Oh, DC films are gritty and dark and that’s what makes them different.’ That couldn’t be more wrong,” said Mr. Johns, who has written comic books featuring most of the company’s top superheroes. “It’s a hopeful and optimistic view of life. Even Batman has a glimmer of that in him. If he didn’t think he’d make tomorrow better, he’d stop.”

Johns did a rewrite of the script for Wonder Woman‘s origin story, working with director Patty Jenkins. He also is co-writing the aforementioned solo Batman movie to be directed by Affleck. It will feature Joe Manganiello as nemesis Deathstroke.

But hold on, best line from the piece on WSJ is this one:

The fact that this year’s movies were met with strident opinions—instead of a shrug like the Twentieth Century Fox 2015 superhero flop “Fantastic Four”—indicates that fans care about the characters.

So you’re telling me fans CARE about how shitty their favorite superhero movies are?  YOU’RE KIDDING, GUYS.  *shocked face*