DC’s Teen Titans Movie May Have Already Quietly Spoiled Its Villains

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DC Studios, spearheaded by James Gunn, announced its initial slate of projects back in February 2023 that provided fans with a glimpse of what to expect from the DCU, which will reboot the franchise. Similarly to the MCU, the DCU will tell a long-form story across multiple mediums. Gunn’s revamped DC Universe got off to a flying start with the crowd-pleasing Max series Creature Commandos and looks to continue its momentum this summer with the blockbuster release of Superman. While the DCU is expected to introduce many of the biggest players from DC’s Justice League over the course of the next few years, there will also be a number of villains who enter the fray. Notably, a live-action movie featuring two iconic Batman villains is reportedly in the works. The Hollywood Reporter exclusively reported in September that Matthew Orton, who worked on Captain America: Brave New World, is writing the script for a Bane and Deathstroke team-up movie.

The upcoming film does not yet have a director, but the prospect of DC’s most feared mercenaries joining forces should excite fans. Bane is a strategic, super-steroid-powered assassin adept at martial arts. Boasting superhuman strength thanks to a strength-enhancing Venom he frequently injects into his bloodstream, Bane became known as the “Man Who Broke the Bat” after he broke Batman’s back, forcing Bruce Wayne to give up the Batman persona while he recuperated. Not to be outdone, Deathstroke is another infamous mercenary with a lengthy history of wreaking havoc in the DC Universe. Slade Wilson, known by his codename, Deathstroke, is a veteran mercenary, commonly considered the world’s greatest and deadliest assassin. Like Bane, Deathstroke has had several run-ins with Batman, as well as other Justice League members. With the deadly duo set to band together in the DCU, there’s no telling how much destruction they will cause, or what they have planned.

Teen Titans Primed to Make Cinematic Debut in Gunn’s DCU

As exciting as the Bane and Deathstroke film would be, the villain-centric film could be a building block to establishing the duo as antagonists in another DCU film — Teen Titans. Following a tease from Gunn, a live-action Teen Titans movie was reported to be in development in March 2024. The screenplay will reportedly be penned by Ana Noguiera, who has impressed DC Studios with her script for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. Not much is known about the film, not even the characters the Teen Titans team consists of, but it would not be surprising to see Bane and Deathstroke pitted against the young heroes. While Bane has rivaled Robin during his missions with Batman on more than a few occasions, Deathstroke boasts a lengthy feud with the Teen Titans. Deathstroke, also known as “Slade,” was the primary antagonist in the iconic DCAU series Teen Titans. Now, nearly two decades since the Teen Titans series concluded, Slade and the formidable team could bring their heated rivalry to the silver screen.

Teen Titans have been a popular fixture of DC Comics for over 60 years. First appearing in 1964 in The Brave and the Bold #54, the team was formed by Kid Flash (Wally West), Robin (Dick Grayson), and Aqualad (Garth) before adopting the name Teen Titans in issue 60 with the addition of Wonder Girl (Donna Troy) to their ranks. Numerous heroes have served a role in Teen Titans, which DC has canceled and relaunched over the decades. Perhaps the most notable iteration of the team, consisting of Robin, Starfire, Beast Boy, Raven and Cyborg, is found in the classic DCAU series Teen Titans.

Teen Titans aired on Cartoon Network for five seasons (65 episodes total) from July 2003 to September 2006 and helped introduce the titular team to a new generation of fans. Years later, HBO Max delivered a live-action series, Titans, that chronicled the adventures of the young crime fighters. The four-season series debuted in 2018 and scored a 89% fresh Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite the success of the two series, and popularity of the Teen Titans among comic fans, the band of heroes has never received a movie adaptation. Under the new DCU banner, that is set to change.

For DC Studios’ Teen Titans movie, it’s anyone’s guess which heroes will help form the dynamic team. Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle was confirmed by Gunn to exist in the DCU, so perhaps the young hero could join become a Teen Titans member. The team could also feature the son of DCU’s Batman, Damian Wayne/Robin, who will debut in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Gunn could also opt to remain true to the comic origins of the team and include Teen Titan founders Kid Flash, Speedy and Aqualad. Most fans would love to see DCAU fan favorites Starfire, Beast Boy, and Cyborg joining forces on the silver screen. Ultimately, the multitude of lineups DC Studios could create for its Teen Titans film boosts the excitement surrounding the project.

Slade Wilson is No Stranger to Tormenting the Teen Titans

Slade “Slade” Wilson made his comic book debut as Deathstroke the Terminator! back in the 1980s The New Teen Titans #2 by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. Similarly to Captain America, Slade received super-soldier-serum injections after standing out as more relentless and efficient than his U.S. Army peers. The serum greatly enhanced his speed, strength, durability and healing abilities, making him a living weapon. Unlike Captain America, who used his newfound ability to fight crime, Deathstroke became a gun for hire.

Just as it did in his comic debut, Slade was a thorn in the side of the Teen Titans in the titular Cartoon Network series Teen Titans. He was also the primary antagonist of the 2018 release Teen Titans Go! to the Movies. Like a lurking shadow, Slade is always prepared to strike against the Teen Titans. The feared mercenary grew to detest the Titans because of the death of his son, Grant Wilson, who died attempting to kill the Titans on a contract. Feeling guilty of not better preparing his son for the fatal encounter with the Titans, Slade sought revenge against the heroes. Now, under the DCU banner, the heated rivalry between Deathstroke and the Titans can continue in a live-action format.

Bane and Deathstroke Team-Up Could Spell Trouble for the DCU’s Teen Titans

Bane and Deathstroke are two of the best mercenaries in all of comics. Paired together, the ruthless duo would be a threat to any hero and could spell trouble for the DCU — beginning with the Teen Titans. Through the years, the notorious assassins have squared off against the likes of Batman, Green Arrow, Nightwing, Black Canary and other Justice League members. Most of the time, the two mercenaries accept jobs that further their monetary and personal agendas. It’s unclear what shared goal leads to their union in the DCU, but the damage they can cause together is incalculable.

Gunn noted that he wants the DCU to thrive on fresh, exciting stories, and for that to happen, the villains will have to be just as fearsome as the heroes. Gunn already proved that the Justice League isn’t the only alliance in the DCU with the debut of Creature Commandos. By deploying a Bane and Deathstroke tandem, Gunn emphasizes that villains, too, aren’t opposed to partnership if the ends justify the means. Plus, the mercenaries will need all the help they can get if they plan to prevail against the Titans. Although the exact Titans roster has yet to be revealed, every version of the team, both comics and animation, packs a punch and will be tough for any villain to contend with.

“}]] Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, Deathstroke and Bane may be set to play a major role in DC’s cinematic future.  Read More