Bane And Deathstroke: Another Director Is Reportedly In The Mix To Helm DCU Supervillain Team-Up Movie

Bane And Deathstroke: Another Director Is Reportedly In The Mix To Helm DCU Supervillain Team-Up Movie

Greg Mottola is said to be in contention to direct the untitled Bane and Deathstroke movie for DC Studios, but we're now hearing that another filmmaker might be in the mix...

By MarkCassidy - May 09, 2026 09:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Deathstroke

Back in 2024, the trades reported that a "Bane and Deathstroke" project was in development at DC Studios. Details were sparse at the time, but Captain America: Brave New World writer Matthew Orton was said to be working on the script.

We assumed the movie must have been put on the back burner, but earlier this week, we learned that Superbad director Greg Mottola was being eyed to helm. The filmmaker has also directed a couple of episodes of Peacemaker season 2.

Mottolo hasn't landed the gig just yet, however, and The Hot Mic's Jeff Sneider has revealed that Ilya Naishuller (Nobody, Harcore Henry) is also in the mix.

Both characters have previously appeared on the big screen, with Tom Hardy playing Bane in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, and Joe Manganiello making a (very) brief appearance as ruthless mercenary Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke, in the post-credits scene of Joss Whedon's theatrically-released Justice League movie.

Dave Bautista has often expressed interest in playing Bane, so it'll be interesting to see if he gets in touch with his old friend and Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn now that the character is set to make his DCU debut.

Whether these villains will be teaming up to take on an even bigger threat or facing off against each other remains to be seen, but we're sure they will clash beforehand, even if they do ultimately put their differences aside. There were rumors that the project might actually be a Secret Six movie, but we won't know for sure until more details are disclosed.

We assume the plan is for one or both of these bad guys to come up against the DCU's new take on Batman at some point, possibly even in the planned The Brave and The Bold movie.

What do you make of this news? Let us know in the comments section down below.

"This is the introduction of the DCU's Batman," Gunn said of the Brave and the Bold movie when the Gods and Monsters slate was announced. "This is the story of Damian Wayne, who is Batman's actual son who we didn't know existed for the first eight to 10 years of his life. He was raised as a little murderer and assassin. He's a little son of a bitch. He's my favorite Robin. It's based on the Grant Morrison comic book's run, which is one of my favorite Batman runs, and we are putting that all together right now."

Peter Safran added, "And this is obviously a feature film, and it's going to feature other members of the extended 'Bat-family', just because we feel like they've been left out of the Batman stories in the theater for far too long."

About The Author:
MarkCassidy
Member Since 11/9/2008
Mark Cassidy is a writer, photographer, amateur filmmaker, and Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic from Dublin, Ireland.
DC Studios' Deathstroke & Bane Movie May Have Found Its Director (And They Have DC Experience)
Related:

DC Studios' Deathstroke & Bane Movie May Have Found Its Director (And They Have DC Experience)

JUSTICE LEAGUE Star Joe Manganiello Revives Deathstroke Hype With Snyder Cut Scene - Is He Teasing A Comeback?
Recommended For You:

JUSTICE LEAGUE Star Joe Manganiello Revives Deathstroke Hype With Snyder Cut Scene - Is He Teasing A Comeback?

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, Comic Book Movie is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. Comic Book Movie will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that Comic Book Movie, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 5/9/2026, 9:38 PM
Does Batman do anything in this universe?
User Comment Image
KennKathleen
KennKathleen - 5/9/2026, 10:04 PM
@HashTagSwagg - 🤔 💭...

apparently he gets sidelined.

My guess.

Gunn will lead with Martha Wayne playing Batman.

Who's Martha Wayne you ask? You'll never guess...

















User Comment Image

User Comment Image

User Comment Image



mck13
mck13 - 5/9/2026, 9:40 PM
Gunn is all over the place. At first it was Gods & Monsters...The the Super family smfh Now Bane & Deathstroke team up? Gunn has NO VISION or DIRECTIOn. it's just throw shit at the wall & see what sticks. Can't was it till this HACK is gone.
TheNewYorkerr
TheNewYorkerr - 5/9/2026, 9:58 PM
Turning villains into antiheroes.. Pass
Mrnorth1921
Mrnorth1921 - 5/9/2026, 10:03 PM
I get that they can’t use Batman until Reeve’s movie is done. But this will be a great way to introduce their Batman into the DCU. Have him appear as a cameo in these films or have him play a supporting role in the dcu films until the Reeve’s series is done.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 5/9/2026, 10:05 PM
HELL yeah ! Scott Buck is back
Luke8
Luke8 - 5/9/2026, 10:11 PM
Christ, this is stupid.
hue66
hue66 - 5/9/2026, 10:23 PM
Not sure how this works without an enemy like Batman to go against. I can see Clayface aa a horror but this team up? Is there a reference to this or related storyline in the comics?

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder