The new DC Universe will recast many roles, and one of those will likely be Gunn's Superman: Legacy.
The DC Universe will include many iconic characters, some of which did not get their chance to shine in the old DCEU. Joe Manganiello's Deathstroke, for one, was severely underused, having only appeared in a Justice League post-credits scene, with a later brief role in director Zack Snyder's cut of the movie. Manganiello's Deathstroke was once set to appear in Ben Affleck's scrapped solo Batman film. Gunn has teased that Deathstroke is part of his DC Universe plan, and the character will likely be recast for the DC Universe, with some great choices for the role being available.
8 Timothy Olyphant
Timothy Olyphant has both Deathstroke's signature look and the necessary acting skills and energy needed to bring such an important character to the DC Universe. His roles in the Western crime drama series Justified and as Cobb Vanth in Disney+'s The Mandalorian show that the actor has what it takes to play Deathstroke. Olyphant could bring a no-nonsense attitude to the role that screams Deathstroke. Slade Wilson is never afraid of getting his hands dirty, and Olyphant can play that aspect of him to perfection. The actor could bring a confident and intimidating version of the DC villain to life.
7 Stephen Lang
While most of the actors on this list share some resemblance to Slade Wilson from the comics, Stephen Lang is as close to bringing the character from the page to the screen as it gets. Lang has been fancast as Deathstroke for at least a decade, with the actor even continuing to be a top choice for the role even when Manganiello's casting was announced. Lang has played numerous roles throughout his career that have shown how masterfully he can play such an action-heavy role as Deathstroke. At 70, the actor is older than most potential candidates, but would perfectly suit Slade Wilson's personality and toughness.
6 Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal was part of the DCEU, having played Maxwell Lord, the main villain of Wonder Woman 1984. Sadly, the film wasn't a success for DC. As Pascal is one of Hollywood's most in-demand stars, it stands to reason that he will likely get the chance to play a major role for Marvel or DC soon. Pascal's time in The Mandalorian and as Joel in The Last of Us has cemented him as a skilled actor who can bring in the necessary level of action and nuance that Deathstroke demands. And since Deathstroke's face is rarely shown, it won't be hard to distance Pascal's new DC role from his old one.
5 Nikolaj Coster-Waldau
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau was one of the most fancast actors to play Joel Miller in The Last of Us before the role ultimately went to Pascal, and that speaks to how the actor has what it takes to play the DC Universe's Deathstroke. Coster-Waldau's most popular role is that of Jaime Lannister in HBO's Game of Thrones. Jaime had one of the best character developments of the series, with Coster-Waldau's acting abilities becoming evident as the character excelled playing one of the most nuanced characters in modern television. The actor also showed aptitude in sword fights, which could lend itself well to a Deathstroke portrayal.
4 Henry Cavill
Gunn has reconfirmed talks with Cavill for another DC role after it was confirmed that he would not play Superman again. While it is hard to believe that Cavill will return for DC in any role that isn't Clark Kent, Deathstroke is one character that would work as an alternative. Outside DC, Cavill is most famous for playing Geralt of Rivia on Netflix's The Witcher. With the actor leaving the show after season 3, Cavill could bring his sword-fighting talents to DC, with Deathstroke having a very different characterization and personality than Superman, which would help Cavill escape his past DC role if he were to be part of the new DC Universe.
3 Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Jeffrey Dean Morgan would be a suitable choice to play the DC Universe's Deathstroke. The actor has previously tapped into the well of DC characters by playing both The Comedian in the Watchmen movie and Thomas Wayne in the DCEU, although the latter was a minor part. While he has been part of DC in the past, it is Morgan's role as Negan in The Walking Dead that makes him the ideal Deathstroke. Just like the DC mercenary, Negan is a character who has a strict code to follow but whose morals are deeply flawed. Morgan excels at the anti-hero role and would bring a magnetic performance as Deathstroke to the DC Universe.
2 Andrew Lincoln
Continuing with The Walking Dead actors, Andrew Lincoln is one of the most underrated stars in the industry. Lincoln plays Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead universe, with the actor's performance easily becoming one of the most iconic in television history, as AMC's zombie show dominated the ratings in its heyday. By the end of the series, audiences became well aware of just how raw and intense Lincoln could get as Rick Grimes. Rick is a complex character, with Lincoln's more intimidating and authoritarian side as the survivor being a taste of what he could bring to Deathstroke. The Walking Dead, particularly the first five seasons, goes to show that Lincoln would excel in a full-on villain or anti-hero role like Deathstroke.
1 Bradley Cooper
Adding to the list of solid of options is Bradley Cooper. The actor is no stranger to superhero movies, having played Rocket Raccoon in the MCU for years. Cooper's MCU director, Gunn, is DC's new creative boss, has made comments indicative of his intentions to bring some of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise's cast over to DC. There is already a rumor that Cooper is up for Lex Luthor in Gunn's Superman: Legacy. If that falls through, Cooper could be an interesting Deathstroke were he to get the part. As a three-time Best Actor Oscar nominee, Cooper would bring a gravitas to the role that could lead to Deathstroke becoming a key character in the DC Universe's movies.
