Joe Manganiello
Joe Manganiello is pictured at the premiere of “Pee-wee’s Big Holiday” on March 17, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Mike Windle/Getty Images for SXSW

Deathstroke has been unmasked! Joe Manganiello is officially confirmed to be playing the villain in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) films. However, it isn’t clear exactly when he’ll be introduced.

Geoff Johns, DC Entertainment president and chief creative officer, revealed the good news to the Wall Street Journal. The “Magic Mike” star will appear in Ben Affleck’s solo “Batman” movie, which still doesn’t have a release date. Johns is writing the script for the movie with Affleck, who will also direct.

Joe Manganiello | PrettyFamous
However, Deathstroke might be introduced before that. Johns would not comment on the possibility that the character is in 2017’s “Justice League.” TheWrap has anonymous sources that claim he is the main villain. The superhero team-up already has a major villain with Steppenwolf, whose presence was confirmed by director Zack Snyder in June, but there’s no reason that the movie couldn’t have more than one bad guy. Leaving a villain undefeated in “Justice League” would be a way to get audiences excited for the next movie.

Affleck was the one who revealed Deathstroke would be introduced to the DCEU when he posted a video of the character on Twitter. He didn’t reveal anything about the project or the actor, though. Manganiello’s face was covered with Deathstroke’s one-eyed mask.

The “True Blood” alum retweeted the video, but he didn’t comment on rumors that he was the one in the Deathstroke costume. He waited until Thursday to post a simple message on Twitter.

As previously reported, Deathstroke, also known as Slade Wilson, is an assassin. He was in the army when he was chosen for an experiment that makes super soldiers. He became faster and stronger, but being intelligent helps make him a real threat.

This isn’t the first superhero adversary Manganiello has played. He was Flash Thompson in 2002’s “Spider-Man.” It’s safe to say that he’ll be a little more threatening in the “Batman” movie.

“Justice League” hits theaters Nov. 16, 2017, and “Batman” doesn’t have a release date yet.

RELATED STORIES