Joe Manganiello, who portrayed Deathstroke in the DC Extended Universe, has shared significant details about Ben Affleck's planned Batman film, which was ultimately shelved. In his memoir, Bloodlines, Manganiello outlines a narrative that was reportedly inspired by David Fincher's 1997 thriller The Game.
According to Entertainment Weekly, Manganiello described Affleck's intended Batman movie as a story where Deathstroke would systematically dismantle Batman's life following the death of his son, Jericho. This destructive path would have led to the kidnapping of Alfred Pennyworth and, in a particularly grim turn, the murder of J.K. Simmons' Commissioner Gordon by Deathstroke.
The film was also slated to feature Batgirl. Manganiello recalled a mid-movie confrontation where Deathstroke nearly defeats the heroes before they escape via train. The planned climax would have been an intense battle between Batman and Deathstroke, drawing inspiration from the iconic CG trailer for Batman: Arkham Origins.
While this iteration of the Batman film never entered full production, the premise suggests a darker, more brutal take on the character within the DCEU. Manganiello's appearances as Deathstroke were limited to cameos in Justice League and Zack Snyder's Justice League. He has expressed interest in reprising the role.
Warner Bros. eventually moved forward with a different Batman film, The Batman, starring Robert Pattinson. Future Batman projects in development include The Batman Part 2 and a new DCU-canon Batman film titled The Brave and the Bold, as well as a standalone Deathstroke movie.