DC Villain 'Deathstroke' Movie in the Works from 'The Raid' Director

Warner Bros. is giving the DC villain Deathstroke the leading man treatment.

The Raid director Gareth Evans is in early talks to write and direct a solo film based on the assassin, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. The film would be a starring vehicle for Joe Manganiello.

No deals have been completed with Evans or Manganiello. The actor was previously cast as the villain in Ben Affleck's solo Batman film, back when Affleck was both starring in and directing The Batman. It is unclear if he will still appear in a solo Batman film, which director Matt Reeves is now helming.

Deathstroke was introduced in the comics in 1980 in New Teen Titans No. 2. The character, whose real name is Slade Wilson, is an expert assassin with super strength and stamina. On TV he has been played by Manu Bennett on The CW's Arrow.

Evans rose to prominence as the director of the 2011 Indonesian martial arts film The Raid and its sequel, both of which are known for their ambitious fight sequences. He next has the period thriller The Apostle set to debut via Netflix. Magic Mike star Manganiello has Dwayne Johnson's video game adaptation Rampage due out in April.

Warner Bros.' next DC film, Justice League, opens Nov. 17.