Why not a Deathstroke movie?

[Warmaker1]

I was thinking once again about how Marvel is kicking DC's butt in the movie department. I won't even list all the movies that Marvel has coming out in the upcoming years while the only thing on the horizon for DC is Man of Steel. The new Wolverine movie is getting a lot of hype these days and that made me think why can't DC get a movie out about a character with Wolverine's appeal that is not Batman or Superman. Then I had to think of who such a character might be. Why not Deathstroke the Terminator? Deathstroke would be ideal of for a tough-guy action movie, he is far more ruthless than squeaky clean like Supes and the Bat so it would be an entirely different type movie than what we have seen from DC. In fact, considering his origin, Deathstroke could play out like a combination of both Captain American and Wolverine of a sort. The action could be off the hook and such a movie might not even have firmly interact in the DC movie universe or maybe it would serve as a springboard to a Titans movie. Although I think going for the hardcore action tough guy movie we might not need superpowered teens running around from the beginning. I think Deathstroke would be a good idea but in the end I really wish DC would get off their collective butts and do something...

[Outside_85]

For one thing, I think it's about 10-15 years too late for such a thing.

Secondly, I would personally prefer him being an or one of the opponents of a Titans movie that could then spin off into his own thing.

Lastly, I think WB just isnt as willing to take risks the same way Disney/Marvel is...especially not after the collapse of Green Lantern.

[Warmaker1]

That's odd, I replied just a minute ago but I don't see it...

Anyway,

Why do you believe it is 10-15 years too late for such a thing? Deathstroke has his own title, he stars in Team 7 each month, all of a sudden he is once again all over the DCU appearing in Hawkman and Ravagers among other titles. He has been the go to tough guy for the DCU for many years now and still going strong.

I don't see a Titans movie happening because of their direct connections to the main DCU for one thing. You have the Robin - Batman connection, Superboy - Superman, Kid Flash - Flash, somehow these connections would have to be touched upon in the movie and I don't see that happening. Besides, a teen superhero movie is not what I was speaking of. I'm looking more at a DC equivalent to Wolverine movie, that tough guy bad-ass that you would want to see in an action movie. It should appeal to those that want to see a hard core action movie that just so happens to be centered around a superhero/villain.

I think DC/Warner needs to step up and take some risks. Their lack of doing this might very well be the reason they have been eating the dust from Marvel character movies for years now. One movie every five years or so just does not cut it and good grief, try something other than Superman or Batman for a change. Besides, with a Deathstroke movie they might not have to sink two-hundred million or so into it like they did with Green Lantern.

[ascended]

Those are all true statements.

But its not to late for WB. The superhero genre is still going strong in cinema, and even if the craze dies down, action movies are always, always, always, strong (potential) money-makers.

Slade has a pretty solid setup for films too. Lots of guns, violence, and all the hallmarks that actors like Arnold and co. have capitalized on for decades.

It could be done, and done well. But it would have to dive into the rated R territory if they really wanted to do it right, and I doubt WB has any interest in funding a movie they cant market to kids. Slade isnt an anti-hero like Wolverine. He isnt out there killing the bad guys in entertainingly brutal ways. He's a murderer who kills for money. It puts him much closer to the Expendables line than it does Wolverine. You can always paint him as a "hero" by putting him up against someone even worse, but that isnt going to hold much water, especially in today's hyper sensitive, politically correct-obsessed world.

The Nolan method has worked for Batman and Arrow, might work for Superman (check back in six months) so WB certainly has the right sort of formula for Slade. I just dont see them having the ambition unless they can sell tons of toys too.

[superlantern1987]

I'd rather see a movie of the Secret Six or Birds of Prey. It would have a similar tone to either the "Loosers" or "Colombiana". Warner Brother could make the movies happen, because it wouldn't require a huge budget nor high profile actors. I'd rather see a well low budget movie than a big mess. I don't care for Deathstroke, so I wont comment about him haha....

[ascended]

I think DC/Warner needs to step up and take some risks. Their lack of doing this might very well be the reason they have been eating the dust from Marvel character movies for years now. One movie every five years or so just does not cut it and good grief, try something other than Superman or Batman for a change. Besides, with a Deathstroke movie they might not have to sink two-hundred million or so into it like they did with Green Lantern.

That's exactly why WB is so far behind Marvel in films. I mean, until Iron Man, Marvel was as hit or miss as WB/DC was when it came to movies. For every "Spider-Man" they made they also made at least one "Daredevil", if not two. To date, I think Marvel has more failed movies than hits. The difference is, Marvel kept at it, kept investing in movies, and eventually (after starting up their own production unit) found a formula that works for them. And now no one remembers how terrible Fantastic Four was, or Hulk, or Elektra, or Man-Thing, or X-Men 3 or Spider-Man 3, they're all about Downey Jr. in the armor and the Avengers. DC on the other hand, is still trying to find that magic for themselves. If they had made more movies, WB would have lost more money in the short term but the lessons learned from those failures would have also set them up to be closer to Marvel's level of experience and skill now.

I hold out hope that Man of Steel works. And I dont mean works as in "fits into fanboy fantasies about what a Superman movie should be" but works as in "Damned fine cinema on par with the Dark Knights" if that is the case, WB just might have found the formula that works for them, and that will lead to a slew of new films in the coming years.

[Warmaker1]

Birds of Prey - wonderful idea, Secret Six - I can get into that one too. In fact Secret Six probably would be a lot closer to the hard core action angle I was thinking of.I think the meta-human angle would have to be played up to different such a movie from something like the "Losers" after all.

I believe you are right about the "R" rating however, would PG-13 work? What was the ratings of the Wolverine movies and X-Men First Class for that matter? They dropped the F bomb at least once in that one.

Whatever movie could potentially be done it would have to be something with appeal that people would want to see more of over several years. Also, when I thought about Deathstroke yeah, I did think of the whole murder for hire angle of his but I also thought about the period in the 80's or 90's where he was sort of an anti-hero of a sort. A straight up killer for hire movie might not go over too well in a DC character movie so that angle would have to be played around with...

[talkinghead]

I like the idea. Titans overall seems like a way better movie choice that Justice League. Deathstroke would be icing on thr cake and present a franchise opportunity.

[Galosengen]

Im sorry I don't have much interest in a Deathstroke movie, especially not before bigger names get their shot.

[stk]

Why not a Deathstroke movie?

Counter-question: WHY a Deathstroke movie?

Who'd want to see it? What would cause anyone to care?

[Judge-Dredd]

I'd rather Deathstroke be the villain in Teen Titans movie. Which I feel could eventually happen in the next 20 years, when all other superhero franchises have been milked dry.

[darkseidpwns]

Counter-question: WHY a Deathstroke movie?

Who'd want to see it? What would cause anyone to care?

The guys who love Stallone and Arnold,it could be an average,generic flick and I think it would still work.On the other hand you'd need something amazing to make Wonder Woman,Flash,GL etc.

[darkseidpwns]

Im sorry I don't have much interest in a Deathstroke movie, especially not before bigger names get their shot.

GL got his movie see what happened? infact lesser known DC movies tend to more successful,V for Vendetta,RED,Watchmen.

Only comic fans will complain about big names,either way Deathstroke will be much more easier to pull of than Wonder Woman and Flash.

[Mr. Holmes]

Don't see why not. I wouldn't be interested at all, but it would be a pretty doable movie. Expendables with Tarantino-esque black humor.

[Cypher-Z]

I'd want to see it. I think Deathstroke is one of the best villains of the DC. Within the top 10, especially when eh spanked the entire JLA by himself and has beaten Batman, and plenty others, purely physically and strategically. Has gone against Superman a couple time, and other things. Deathstroke really isnt a joke.

Plus those saying no one would even watch it, the best Arrow episodes and most watched ones so far have been the ones with Deathstroke. Plus it doesnt matter, a good movie is a good movie, even if nobody has seen or heard of the character. V for Vendetta, Sin City, and plenty more have gotten movies and those arent near the popularity of DC's top and people have thoroughly enjoyed those.