Latino Review‘s three-day extravaganza of exclusive scoops on Suicide Squad continues with new insights into the as-yet uncast character of Deathstroke. Yesterday’s big drop unveiled the crew of DC villains expected to go up against the titular group – Onslaught led by Antiphon – and now it seems that tidbit laid the foundation for today’s batch of news.
According to the site, Deathstroke will lose his comic book superpowers in the film and instead appear as a hired assassin employed by Onslaught to do their dirty work. Described as a “pre-super villain” version of the character, Deathstroke is thought to be the “breakout & choicest role in the film,” which also boasts an insane introduction.
Once established, LR goes on to state that he will play a huge part of two major set pieces, one in which he almost single-handedly takes down the entire Squad. His costumed suit will be stealth-oriented, based on an actual US military tactical outfit, and will allow him to carry an arsenal of weaponry including swords and automatic firearms. His get-up will be rounded out by the inclusion of his iconic mask.
The name of Ayer’s Sabotage star Joe Manganiello has continued to top rumored shortlists for the Deathstroke part, despite no official confirmation from the director or studio. Today though, Cinema Blend reports that their insider re-affirmed his involvement, and that he’s practically nabbed the part:
A source close to the production tells us that Magic Mike co-star Joe Manganiello has all but locked up the part of Deathstroke in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. The deal isn’t done yet. Jason Clarke is reportedly still in play, but our source says it is an almost certainty that Manganiello has the role.
Similarly, LR’s top tipster El Mayimbe addressed the situation closing out his Deathstroke lowdown – which accompanied a custom pic of Manganiello next to a comic book snap of the character:
Rumor about Jason Clarke still in play is not true because he originally got offered Deathstroke months ago but has a scheduling conflict with Marc Foster’s’ ‘All I See Is You.’ Joel Kinnaman originally tested for the role as well but got Rick Flagg instead. Joe Manganiello has a scheduling conflict with Ryan Murphy’s ‘Scream Queens’ BUT HE JUST DROPPED OUT! What does that mean? Deathstroke is ‘probably’ his.
If the rumors are true, then it sounds like Ayer has found his Deathstroke in Joe Manganiello. All we need now is an official confirmation from studio brass or from the director himself to verify this next, very intriguing, chunk of Suicide Squad casting news.