New DCEU Villain Reveals Make Batfleck’s Solo Movie Cancellation Worse

The cancellation of Ben Affleck’s Batman solo movie is continuing to show itself as a major loss for the DCEU with some newly released storyboard art. Affleck scripted a Batman movie set in the world of Zack Snyder’s DCEU, and was originally set to lead and direct the film. Ultimately, a combination of factors including the last-minute retooling of Justice League in Snyder’s absence after a family tragedy led to Affleck departing the film and the role, though Affleck would later return as Bruce Wayne for 2023’s The Flash.

The Batman has subsequently been released as an independent story from the DCEU, with Matt Reeves directing and Robert Pattinson starring as Bruce Wayne. However, interest in the plans for Affleck’s movie has remained high through its connection to the eventual 2021 release of Snyder’s original cut of the Justice League film as Zack Snyder’s Justice League (for which Affleck also returned to film a few additional scenes). Details on Affleck’s story have gradually begun to emerge, while a new, unexpected aspect of it has also arrived online.

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A new storyboard of Deathstroke from Affleck’s Batman movie has been released on social media by Jay Oliva, who was working on the film with Affleck prior to the latter’s departure. Combined with the story details that have been revealed about what Affleck had planned, the new artwork of Deathstroke reveals a considerable amount about the tone and general approach Affleck was going for. Needless to say, the storyboard released by Oliva, depicting Deathstroke wielding his sword against Batman as he’s reflected in its blade, also has greatly contributed to the interest of Affleck’s Batman movie within the larger #RestoreTheSnyderVerse movement. From the details gleaned, it’s clear that that the cancelled Batfleck movie represents a massive missed opportunity for the DCEU.

Affleck’s Batman Vs. Deathstroke Movie Explained

Affleck’s Batman movie was to pick up from the yacht scene in the ending of Zack Snyder’s Justice League, in which Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg) reveals Batman’s identity as Bruce Wayne to Slade Wilson and hires him to assassinate the Dark Knight. Asked by Luthor why he’s taking the assignment pro-bono, Slade responds that “It’s personal“, indicating a history between the two. In the lead-up to the Snyder Cut’s release, Joe Manganiello has offered details on the nature of their conflict.

In an interview with ComicBook.com, Manganiello stated that Slade had “lost his son” and held Batman responsible for it. Slade would then go about destroying Bruce’s personal life, finances, and even killing people close to him in what Manganiello described as a story inspired by David Fincher’s The Game, with Slade being “like a horror movie villain“. Manganiello also revealed that Batgirl would provide Batman assistance against Deathstroke (himself once up for a Deathstroke origin movie). The formidable Slade was to be, in Manganiello’s words, “so fast that he can anticipate Bruce’s movements.” Batgirl also seemingly wasn’t the only DC hero to appear in Affleck’s Batman film. During an interview with Esquire on The Batman press tour, Matt Reeves revealed Affleck’s script included other heroes making cameos, and described it as an “action-based James Bond-ian” film. Other known details include the involvement of Arkham Asylum as a major location, which indicates other major Batman villains were to appear. Still, Deathstroke was the main antagonist of the Batman movie Affleck conceived, and with his arc and characterization established by Zack Snyder, was definitely a very fitting one.

Why Deathstroke Was Such A Great Villain For Affleck’s Batman Movie

More so than any other cinematic Batman, Snyder established Affleck’s aggressive Caped Crusader as one who was not just a veteran vigilante, but an urban warrior. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice showed Affleck’s Bruce Wayne as a true force to be reckoned with in his battles with the Man of Steel and the movie’s acclaimed warehouse fight sequence. Deathstroke presented a villain who was a lot like Batman in many respects. Both of them being very well-versed martial artists, Slade’s armored suit and pair of swords on his back also made him an inverted reflection of Batman. Both Bruce and Slade were men who had honed their minds and bodies to perfect battle-readiness from many years of training. Manganiello’s description of Affleck’s script also illuminates what kind of villain Slade was intended to be.

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Affleck’s story really built up Deathstroke’s vendetta and ruthlessness in a way that made their conflict both epic and, as Manganiello indicated, personal. Batman was facing an opponent who had been consumed by the kind of rage that he once held for the Man of Steel in Batman v Superman. Manganiello’s description of Slade’s methodical dismantling of Bruce’s life also hints that their final showdown was something with a tremendous amount of build-up behind it. Rather than simply target Bruce directly, Slade was intent on making him suffer first and prolonging his anguish for as long as possible before finally defeating him. With his physical skill as an opponent and his ruthless strategy in his attack on Batman, Deathstroke was both a very challenging enemy and completely remorseless in his assault on the Dark Knight.

Batman Concept Art Shows The Potential Of Affleck’s Deathstroke Story

In just the one storyboard image released by Oliva, a lot can be gleaned from the kind of potential Affleck’s movie and its place leading into Snyder’s Justice League sequels when lined up with what Manganiello has unveiled about it. Cinematographer Robert Richards’ revelation of Batman: Arkham Origins as another part of the basis for Affleck’s approach to the Batman vs. Deathstroke story is very in sync with Oliva’s artwork. With the high standards for his Batman as a fighter, Affleck seemed keen on making the most action-packed Batman movie ever made.

With the fighting skills of Affleck’s Batman right out of The Raid movies, a sword-wielding assassin like Deathstroke was the arguably most logical enemy for Batman to face in Snyder’s DCEU after his redemption by Superman. In Deathstroke, Batman was to face an enemy who was a pure and uncompromising challenge, and one who could match him in virtually every skill set Bruce Wayne brought to the table.

It’s ultimately Affleck’s call as to whether he wants to don the cowl again after The Flash (which Ezra Miller has alluded to being a possibility). With Oliva’s release of the Deathstroke storyboard, there’s little reason to expect that interest in Affleck’s unmade Batman movie will do anything but go up. In any case, Affleck’s Batman movie had an explosive showdown with Deathstroke planned, as Oliva’s storyboard from the unrealized film clearly brings to light.

NEXT: How Batman’s Story Ended In Snyder’s Original Justice League 2 & 3 Plan