Ben Affleck has excited DC fans by dropping a hint about the villain in the forthcoming solo Batman film.
The actor tweeted test footage of a live-action version of the super-assassin Deathstroke on a film set, which has sparked furious speculation that he will be the main villain in the film.
"Ben Affleck wasn't just teasing: Deathstroke will, in fact, be the main antagonist of the Batman standalone movie he's directing," claims The Wrap, citing "an individual with knowledge of the situation".
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Although the clip didn't reveal who's under the Deathstroke helmet, rumours are already afoot that it's none other than Joe Manganiello.
The True Blood star is currently in London, where Justice League is filming, and recently started following DC kingpin Zack Snyder on Twitter.
Deathstroke, aka Slade Wilson, is played by Manu Bennett on the television series Arrow. However, producer Marc Guggenheim revealed the show had been blocked from bringing the actor back for another series.
"The character of Slade Wilson is currently tied up in another DC project," he told reporters, fuelling speculation that he might appear in Batman.
Little solid information has been released about Affleck's solo Batman film, although it has been hinted that it could be based around Bruce Wayne being locked in Arkham Asylum.
There have also been indications that Suicide Squad's Deadshot (Will Smith) and The Joker (Jared Leto) could square off with the superhero during the film.
There is no release date yet, but if it turns out that the Dark Knight and Deathstroke are indeed on a collision course, DC Comics fans will be chomping at the bit to watch it.
After Batman v Superman, what's next in the DC Comics line-up?
15 July
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice crash-landed on the big screen earlier this year, but it was only just the beginning of a series of new DC Comics movies coming out over the next few years.
Suicide Squad
Director David Ayer's hugely anticipated anti-hero adaption of the comic book series is unlike anything on offer in the DC world, not to mention the Marvel universe. Based around a group of dangerous super-villains, Suicide Squad provides the opportunity to do some serious world-building and introduce some of DC's most iconic characters, such as the Joker, fan-favourite Harley Quinn and Deadshot.
Release Date: 5 August 2016
Wonder Woman
After making her screen debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Wonder Woman is expected to do big business at the box office as the first female-led superhero film. Gal Gadot's performance has already received rave reviews and it is hoped she will bring this magic to the solo film.
Release date: 23 June 2017
Justice League: Part One
The one that all the fans are waiting for, Justice League is finally coming to the big screen after years of trying by Warner Bros and DC Comics. Bringing together perhaps the greatest line-up of superheroes in history, the film could even surpass The Avengers at the box office, especially with Batman v Superman's Zack Snyder at the helm.
Release date: 17 November 2017
The Flash
As it's still in the early stages of production, little is known of the adaptation of Ezra Miller's take on Barry Allen. Dark Shadows writer Seth Grahame-Smith is to make his directorial debut, with the big question mark being how The Flash fares against the small-screen version currently playing on TV.
Release date: 16 March 2018
Aquaman
Briefly making an appearance in Dawn of Justice, Game of Thrones actor Jason Momoa will take audiences to the depths of the ocean as Aquaman battles for the throne of Atlantis. It's directed by James Wan and will co-star Amber Heard as Mera, Queen of Atlantis.
Release date: 27 July 2018
Shazam!
No, not a film version of the music-finding app, Shazam! stars Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson as Black Adam – and that's it, so far. The movie, said to be a more comedic reboot than other DC titles, is developing at a "strange pace", says Cinemablend, with neither director nor lead star confirmed yet.
Release date: 5 April 2019
Justice League: Part Two
The follow-up to Part One is also set to be directed by Snyder and feature the likes of Batman, Superman, Wonder Women, The Flash and Aquaman, who will all have released their solo films by 2019, while Green Lantern and Cyborg's own films are expected to follow.
Release date: 14 June 2019
Cyborg
Based on the New 52 reboot, Cyborg stars Ray Fisher as a gifted high-school footballer who is injured in a laboratory accident and only saved by his S.T.A.R. Labs scientist father, who turns him into a half-robot/half-human superhero. Interestingly, the character will have been seen in up to three different films before he receives his solo screen premiere and it is hoped he will have built up a strong following with audiences before this is released.
Release date: 3 April 2020
Green Lantern Corps
Following the disastrous 2011 version, Warner Bros has decided to reboot the story of the famed intergalactic peace-keeping force by making a team movie instead of just focusing on a single Emerald Knight. It is assumed Green Lantern will be the seventh member of the Justice League, although details of the film and his role in the universe is as yet unclear.
Release date: 19 June 2020
The Batman
For many, the Christian Bale-Christopher Nolan version will be hard to beat, but it is hoped the new take on the role seen in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will present an opportunity to move out of the shadow of the Dark Knight trilogy (so to speak). While no exact date has been set, it has been reported that not only will Ben Affleck reprise his role as the Caped Crusader, he will also direct and co-write it. However, much will depend on how his portrayal is received in Batman v Superman and the Suicide Squad films.
Release date: TBA 2020
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