DC Studios is reportedly working on a new film project that will bring together two iconic villains from its expansive comic book universe: Bane and Deathstroke.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio, led by James Gunn and Peter Safran, is currently developing a script written by Matthew Orton. Orton’s writing credits include upcoming Marvel film Captain America: Brave New World, an episode of Marvel series Moon Knight, and 2018 historical dramatic thriller Operation Finale.
Deadline also reported the news, sharing that no director has been attached to the project and plot details remain scarce. It is also unclear whether Bane and Deathstroke will serve as the primary focus of the film, though their inclusion signals a continued interest in exploring the darker side of the DC Universe.
Bane, a character created by Chuck Dixon and Graham Nolan in the early 1990s, has long been a fan favourite. Raised in a prison on the fictional Caribbean island of Santa Prisca, Bane developed into a brutal yet highly intelligent adversary, eventually becoming best known for breaking Batman’s back in the famous “Knightfall” storyline. The character was memorably portrayed by Tom Hardy in 2012’s The Dark Knight Rises, directed by Christopher Nolan.
Deathstroke first appeared in 1980 and was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. A super-enhanced mercenary and assassin, Deathstroke has faced off against numerous DC heroes, including Batman and the Teen Titans. The character has appeared in various media, including video games, animated series, and live-action adaptations. Most recently, Esai Morales portrayed him in the series Titans, while Joe Manganiello appeared as the character in Zack Snyder’s Justice League.
The potential Bane and Deathstroke film adds to DC’s recent trend of focusing on villain-led stories. With the wide success of Joker, with The Penguin HBO series off to a well-received start, and with Joker: Folie à Deux on the verge of release, the studio seems committed to exploring its rogues’ gallery on screen. Stay tuned.
