Last week we talked about a tweet made by Ben Affleck, showing the appearance of Deathstroke in an upcoming film. Via the Wall Street Journal, we have now learned that not only was that footage being used for the upcoming solo Batman film (starring Ben Affleck as the Dark Knight), but that the actor portraying the role of the infamous assassin for hire will be True Blood star, Joe Manganiello.

Thanks to Manganiello’s presence in London, and the fact that he had begun following director Zack Snyder on Twitter, rumors had begun circulating almost immediately about the actor’s potential casting in the role, after Affleck tweeted said footage.

In his first interview to discuss his new role overseeing the DC Cinematic Universe at Warner Bros., DC Entertainment president and chief creative officer Geoff Johns confirmed the casting, but declined to comment on whether Deathstroke has a cameo in “Justice League,” which is currently being shot in London. Mr. Johns also declined to give any indication on the release date for the Batman film, although the earliest estimates point to 2018. Ben Affleck has mentioned, however, that production would not begin on the solo Batman film until the script (which he is co-writing with Geoff Johns) is complete. Affleck will also be directing the film himself.

Earlier this year, Warner Bros. had set release dates for two untitled DC projects – one for October 5, 2018, and the other for November 1, 2019. Speculation in the entertainment industry is that Affleck’s Batman movies will take one of those dates.

What do you think of this casting choice, dear readers?  Will Joe Manganiello be able to capture the spirit of the one-eyed assassin, or do you think that the filmmakers should have chosen someone different?  Let us know in the comments!