Joe Manganiello thinks fans will "root" for his villainous character in ‘The Batman’.
The 40-year-old actor is set to play Deathstroke in the hotly-anticipated movie and is hopeful the fans of the DC Extended Universe will like his portrayal of the character.
He said: "Yeah, I guess there was a TV show but I haven’t seen it. I won’t watch it. This is my character, an exciting one, and has the capacity I think, to be a great villain.
"And what all the great ones can do is polarise an audience. When I was a kid I always rooted for the villain. As a kid, I think I would have rooted for him and I think fans will."
And Manganiello is excited to work alongside Ben Affleck – who will play the titular character – and Geoff Johns, who worked on the screenplay.
He added: "I’ve known them all for years and I’m very excited to work with everyone. Ben Affleck makes great films and he’s a great Batman.
"Geoff Johns certainly is a really fun guy to hang around with and has a great grasp on this steering wheel that is the Titanic of the DCEU. Knowing what they have planned for the future, I think fans are really gonna love it."
There have been delays in production but Manganiello insists it is because the filmmakers want to ensure they put out the "best film possible".
Of the movie – which will be directed by Matt Reeves – he told Robert Irvine magazine: "Last year, I said [we might start filming in] May and that was my understanding. It depends. They have big plans for this movie. Whether or not we start exactly on that date or in June, whatever it is, it doesn’t matter.
"Here’s the thing: The creative process needs to be respected and no one involved in this film wants to make anything less than an unbelievable film, a legendary film. The movie will start shooting whenever those pieces are in place and we know this is gonna be something that we’re proud of.
"What we’re not gonna do is be backed into a start date, scrambling to get something off the ground just to get it off the ground. Everyone involved wants to make this the best film possible, so that’s really what it’s about."
Joe Manganiello teases villanous role in Batman
