Joe Manganiello Had Other Opportunities To Play Superheroes Before Being Cast In The Batman

When you take into account how many comic book movies flood cinemas on an annual basis, it comes as no surprise that you either get actors who embark on more than one tour in the genre or ones who have had the opportunity, but the time just wasn’t right. As we’ve come to find out, the latter seems to be the case for The Batman‘s Joe Manganiello.

Ever since he was originally cast as Deathstoke in Ben Affleck’s solo outing, the internet has been buzzing about when the film will see release, which Manganiello seemingly got off to a fine start when he said cameras will begin rolling this spring. But if you ask Affleck himself, he may be a bit more coy. In fact, you may not want to ask him at all.

As we intimated moments ago, this wasn’t Manganiello’s first chance to take part in a superhero smackdown. For whatever reason, the stars hadn’t been aligning until just recently, something he spoke of while talking with Entertainment Tonight:

“Growing up an avid comic book fan, and then there were a lot of superhero roles, and supervillain roles, that came my way that I said no to, or wasn’t allowed to do, because of other commitments. It’s just really exciting to think that this is the one. I’m glad everybody’s happy. I’m just gonna put my head down and just really show up as prepared as any supervillain ever has.”

I guess it’s fortunate for us then that he has the Slade Wilson look down as well as possessing the acting chops to be seen as both a physical and intellectual threat to the Caped Crusader whenever The Batman hits theaters.