'The Raid' Director Gareth Evans in Talks to Direct Solo Deathstroke Film

Deathstroke will soon take center stage in his own solo DC film. Director Gareth Evans ("The Raid") is currently in talks to direct the upcoming project, which he pitched to studio executives instead of vying to direct "Justice League Dark," according to Heroic Hollywood. Joe Manganiello ("True Blood") has already been tapped to play the antihero, though THR reports he has not been secured for the solo film just yet.

Deathstroke was originally introduced back in 1980 in the "New Teen Titans" comic No. 2. Deathstroke, aka Slade Wilson, is an unparalleled assassin with super strength and super stamina. He most recently appeared on The CW's DC show "Arrow," played by Manu Bennet ("The Hobbit" series). That appearance stirred up new interest in the character, leading DC to take another look at the character.

Manganiello was originally cast as Deathstroke for Ben Affleck's ("Gone Girl") stand alone "Batman" film, but that plan fell apart after Matt Reeves ("The Planet of the Apes") took over directing from Affleck. The original script for the film, written by Affleck and Geoff Johns ("The Flash"), centered on Deathstroke as Batman's nemesis. However, Reeves has already announced he will be writing a completely different story, leaving Manganiello and the character up in the air.

Evans is best recognized for Indonesian martial arts films "The Raid" and its sequel, "The Raid 2," both of which he wrote and directed. The director is known for the impressive fight sequences in his films. Catch his latest work, "Apostle," coming to Netflix in 2018.

No premiere date has been released for the Deathstroke solo film.

What do you think of Evans directing a "Deathstroke" solo film? Let us know in the comments below!

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