Casting Deathstroke In The DCU: 10 Actors Who Could Play The DC Villain After James Gunn's Recent Tease (2024)

James Gunn has teased the inclusion of Deathstroke, an iconic DC Comics villain, in the upcoming DC Universe reboot, and many brilliant actors would be perfect for the role. DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran revealed their plans to reboot the DC Extended Universe into the new DCU back in January 2023, and the new franchise is set to kick off with 2024's animated Creature Commandos series and 2025's live-action Superman reboot. While several exciting heroes have been confirmed to appear in the new DC Universe, James Gunn has also teased a number of powerful supervillains.

One of these formidable villains is Slade Wilson's Deathstroke. James Gunn teased Deathstroke's debut in the DC Universe during an exchange on social media in May 2024, spurring speculation concerning when the iconic DC Comics villain could make his first appearance. Deathstroke was introduced to DC Comics during 1980's The New Teen Titans #2, debuting as an antagonist to the Teen Titans team, though he went on to oppose the likes of Batman, the Green Arrow, and the Justice League. While Deathstroke's casting hasn't yet been revealed, many brilliant actors would be perfect for the action-heavy role in the DCU.

10 Joe Manganiello Deserves Another Shot At Deathstroke

Spider-Man (2002), True Blood (2010), Justice League (2017)

Joe Manganiello previously portrayed Slade Wilson's Deathstroke in the DCEU, first appearing in 2017's Justice League, and returning for Zack Snyder's Justice League in 2021. Manganiello's Deathstroke was severely underdeveloped, having been teased for a bigger role in the franchise, which never came to fruition after Zack Snyder's departure. Manganiello has the perfect look for Slade Wilson, so it was a shame his character wasn't developed further, but the DCU could rectify this.

As well as portraying Deathstroke in the DCEU, Joe Manganiello has appeared in superhero projects before. He began his professional acting career playing Flash Thompson in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy, and went on to star in action-packed dramas, thrillers, and comedies, making him a perfect fit for the new DC Universe. This is especially true if James Gunn gives the new franchise a more lighthearted tone, as Joe Manganiello has proven he can cover all these bases.

9 Josh Duhamel Voiced Another Iconic Batman Villain

Transformers (2007), Batman: The Long Halloween (2021), Jupiter's Legacy (2021)

After embarking on a modeling career, Josh Duhamel made his acting debut in the daytime soap opera All My Children, but has since gone on to bigger roles in projects including the Transformers franchise, You're Not You, 11.22.63, and Jupiter's Legacy. Duhamel also voiced another iconic Batman villain, Harvey Dent's Two-Face, in the direct-to-video Batman: The Long Halloween animated duology. This could have set him up perfectly to take on the role of Deathstroke in the DCU.

In DC Comics, Slade Wilson's son, Grant, was enhanced by the HIVE and sent to kill the Teen Titans, but his enhancements proved fatal, leaving Slade to take over his son's contract. At his core, Deathstroke is a father seeking revenge for the death of his son, and Josh Duhamel has the perfect stern yet comforting appearance for this role. This could later see Duhamel oppose the DCU's Batman, delivering another powerful foe.

8 Scott Adkins Would Be Perfect For Deathstroke's Action-Heavy Scenes

The Legend Of Hercules (2014), Triple Threat (2019), John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023)

British actor Scott Adkins rose to prominence as Russian prison fighter Yuri Boyka in 2006's Undisputed II: Last Man Standing, a role which he reprised in the movie's sequels. Since Adkins has been practicing martial arts since the age of 13, he is primed for action-heavy and acrobatic roles, meaning he could deliver the most full-on version of Deathstroke that has ever been depicted in live-action. Deathstroke is considered the greatest assassin in DC Comics, so Adkins' previous action roles would fit the character perfectly.

Scott Adkins has already appeared in several superhero projects over the years, taking part in some intense fight sequences. This also made him perfect for a role in 2023's John Wick: Chapter 4 opposite Keanu Reeves, and makes a permanent role in the new DCU a logical next step. Adkins' Deathstroke would be a formidable match for the Teen Titans and Batman in the DCU.

7 John Cho Has Proven His Acting Chops

Star Trek (2009), Searching (2018), Cowboy Bebop (2021)

John Cho may be an unconventional choice to bring Slade Wilson's Deathstroke into the DCU, as he may lack the character's harder edges. However, Cho would be great at delivering a version of Deathstroke leaning more heavily on the character's father role, especially since he has already depicted a desperate father in 2018's Searching. Cho received international prominence in 2009's Star Trek reboot as Hikaru Sulu, and is also known for his roles in Better Luck Tomorrow, Columbus, and FlashForward.

John Cho's experience in the action-packed Star Trek franchise means he has proven he'd be great at delivering the fight sequences necessary for Deathstroke in the DCU. He would also bring a level of vulnerability to the role of Slade Wilson that other actors may struggle to deliver. Additionally, John Cho's previous acting roles in horror films, comedies, and adventure stories would translate fantastically into the new lighthearted DC Universe.

6 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau Needs A Bigger Role In DC's New Franchise

Game Of Thrones (2011), Oblivion (2013), The Flash (2023)

Danish actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is best known for portraying Jaime Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones, a varied role that took him from outright villain to steadfast hero. This fantasy-based role proved that Coster-Waldau certainly has the chops to take on a powerful role in a superhero franchise, and with the actor's age and fatherly appearance, Slade Wilson's Deathstroke may be a perfect match. This would be a great way for Coster-Waldau to return to DC after his previous meaningless cameo.

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau made a very brief cameo appearance in 2023's The Flash, playing a man eating pizza in Barry Allen's alternate timeline. The Flash is one of the biggest box office bombs of all time, and completely wasted Coster-Waldau's talents, so he deserves a real role in the new DCU. After appearances in Black Hawk Down, Mama, Oblivion, and Gods of Egypt, Coster-Waldau has more than proven his salt.

5 Anson Mount Could Get Superhero Franchise Redemption As Deathstroke

Hell On Wheels (2011), Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022), Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness (2022)

Anson Mount may have the perfect physical appearance to portray Slade Wilson's Deathstroke in the DC Universe, but, more than that, he deserves superhero redemption after his previous major role. As well as appearing as Paul Hayden in Smallville, Anson Mount later starred as Blackagar Boltagon, a.k.a. Black Bolt, the Inhuman King, in Marvel Television's Inhumans. This series was a massive failure for Marvel, perhaps souring Mount's superhero career, but the DCU can gloss over this massive mistake.

Anson Mount reprised the role of Black Bolt in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, which was much better received than Inhumans. However, since this was only a brief cameo, a more substantive role, such as Deathstroke, would benefit the actor. After portraying Captain Chris Pike in recent Star Trek projects, delivering the father-like figure of the USS Enterprise, Anson Mount is set up perfectly for a more heavy-duty role.

4 Manu Bennett's Deathstroke In Arrow Was Well-Received

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), Arrow (2013), The Gone (2023)

Similarly to Joe Manganiello, Manu Bennett has also previously portrayed Slade Wilson's Deathstroke, though Bennett's version of the villain in The CW's Arrow was a very different incarnation. Bennett's Slade Wilson was previously a mentor to Oliver Queen's Green Arrow, but became his archenemy over the course of the series. While it's been four years since Bennett portrayed Deathstroke in live-action, his version of the villain was well-received, so it would be great to see him reprise the role.

Aside from his long-running portrayal of Deathstroke in Arrow, Manu Bennett is known for his action-heavy roles in The Hobbit franchise, Spartacus, and Beta Test. His experience in action projects makes him a perfect fit for the new DCU, and he has already perfected the mannerisms and personality of Slade Wilson. Bringing him back in the DCU would allow Bennett to play different elements of Deathstroke's personality, and face new heroes.

3 Timothy Olyphant Would Make A Dashing Deathstroke

Hitman (2007), Justified (2010), Once Upon A Time In Hollywood (2019)

Since the beginning of his acting career, Timothy Olyphant has become well-known for regularly being cast in villain roles, and he could repeat this in the DC Universe if cast as Slade Wilson's Deathstroke. Olyphant has portrayed villains in Scream 2, Gone in 60 Seconds, Live Free or Die Hard, and The Girl Next Door, among others, while he has also proven his talents with roles in Justified and Hitman. Olyphant's experience in high-octane projects makes him a perfect fit for the DCU.

Timothy Olyphant's action experience has been reinforced by his brilliant take on comedy, as he has made appearances in The Good Place, Santa Clarita Diet, American Dad!, Rick and Morty, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. His mastery of comedy, drama, and action makes him a great fit for Slade Wilson, and Olyphant has the perfect appearance for Deathstroke to boot, making him a clear candidate for the role.

2 Djimon Hounsou Is A Superhero Franchise Veteran

Amistad (1997), Guardians Of The Galaxy (2014), Shazam! (2019)

Djimon Hounsou is a superhero franchise veteran, though his roles have always been fairly small. Hounsou received widespread recognition for portraying Cinqué in Steven Spielberg's 1997 historical drama, Amistad, and has gone on to have an incredibly varied career in action, comedy, horror, science fiction, and fantasy projects. This immense range proves he'd be perfect for assuming a more substantive and heavy-duty role in the new DCU, after previously playing the Wizard in the DCEU's Shazam! franchise.

At 60-years-old, Djimon Hounsou would perhaps deliver an older version of Slade Wilson's Deathstroke, but this could work perfectly. The juxtaposition of the adult Deathstroke going up against the young Teen Titans in DC Comics has always created an interesting dynamic, and this could be pushed to the extreme in the DCU. Hounsou is a remarkably talented actor who has worked with James Gunn before, so he could easily become the DCU's Deathstroke.

1 Jensen Ackles Has Proven He Has The Brutality Of Deathstroke

Supernatural (2005), The Boys (2022), Tracker (2024)

Perhaps best known for portraying Dean Winchester in Supernatural between 2005 and 2020, Jensen Ackles has recently become even more well-known for delivering a brutal performance as Soldier Boy in Amazon Prime Video's The Boys. His portrayal of Soldier Boy has proven just how incredible Ackles could be as Deathstroke in the DC Universe, as Soldier Boy, while having heroic undertones, is morally questionable, stone-cold, and incredibly violent, which would fit Deathstroke to a tee.

Jensen Ackles has been a very popular fan-cast for the DCU's new Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. Batman, but his previous work suggests he may be a better fit for an iconic DC villain such as Deathstroke. Ackles has voiced Batman in several DC animated movies, but for his potential live-action debut in the DCU, his rough-around-the-edges but comforting appearance and often aggressive previous roles fit the bill of Deathstroke much better than the Caped Crusader himself.