There are a lot of just criticisms to be made about Justice League, but fans still haven’t gotten over its post-credits scene, which teased a future face off between Ben Affleck’s Batman and Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke. Those disgruntled fans got another kick in the teeth this week as storyboard artist, Jay Oliva, revealed concept art from the scrapped movie. Before Robert Pattinson wore the cape in Matt Reeves’ incredible The Batman, Affleck was gearing up to appear in a standalone Batman movie. It was confirmed that Batfleck would be pitted against Manganiello’s Deathstroke in the film, a match-up that fans have long been desperate for on the big screen. But, after Affleck stepped down from the role, fans could only dream about what could have been.
Jay Oliva shared the concept art on X, showing a storyboard from the scrapped movie. The artist is no stranger to the world of DC Comics, having directed several of the DC Animated Universe movies.The black and white drawing sees Batman fighting Deathstroke, with the legendary mercenary having the upper hand. In the comics, Deathstroke is one of the best hand-to-hand fighters in the DC Universe, having also been trained by the League of Shadows. While fans can only daydream about what could have happened in the movie, Jay Oliva’s art has allowed them to dream a little more vividly. Check out the post below:
As well as Oliva’s official concept art, a fan-made animation has also been taking the internet by storm. The video, posted by @SchwayJohn, shows a rough-drawn sketch of what Batman and Deathstroke’s fight could have been like. Heavily inspired by the iconic warehouse fight from Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice (an incredible scene in an otherwise mediocre movie), the clip shows the pair using their League of Shadows training, constantly getting the upper hand over their opponent with innovative tactics and gadgets.
Joe Manganiello Won’t Appear as Deathstroke in the New DC Universe
As James Gunn and Peter Safran reboot the DC Universe, they’ve been incredibly candid about which characters/actors will and won’t survive the transition. While Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller and John Cena’s Peacemaker will continue their stories in the new DC Universe continuity, Mangianello’s Deathstroke hasn’t made the cut. Speaking to ComicBook.com earlier this year, Mangianello recalled a conversation he had with James Gunn about Deathstroke’s future. The actor said:
“James [Gunn] is my buddy, and James and I had a conversation about it because [DC Comics president] Jim Lee over at DC Comics wanted me to create a graphic novel series based on the screenplay that I wrote for the Deathstroke origin film that, when they were dismantling the DCEU, that went to the wayside as well. Jim read it, and wanted it to be a graphic novel series, but no one could assure me that, if it garnered the attention of directors and producers, that I couldn’t be attached. So I had to let it go. James Gunn was just like, ‘Let it go.'”
While Mangianello might not have a place in the new DC Universe, James Gunn has confirmed he has plans for Deathstroke in the future. Many are speculating the mercenary could appear in the upcoming Batman reboot, The Brave and the Bold, which will also introduce Batman’s son, Damien Wayne (another member of the League of Shadows. The movie hasn’t been given an official release date yet.