DC’s Bane and Deathstroke Movie Hires ‘Captain America: Brave New World’ Writer

DC Studios is advancing with a film focused on two of Batman’s most formidable foes, but the announcement has sparked mixed feelings among fans.

As reported by The Wrap, Matthew Orton, the writer behind ‘Captain America: Brave New World’, has been brought on board to pen the upcoming Bane and Deathstroke movie for DC Studios. The project is still in its early stages, with no director or cast members confirmed yet. However, this latest update reassures fans that the villain-centric film is indeed in the works after initial reports surfaced in 2024.

While many fans are eager to see these two significant DC villains on the big screen, there are concerns regarding the choice of writer due to the lukewarm reception of ‘Brave New World’.

‘Captain America: Brave New World’ was released as part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and garnered mixed-to-negative reviews from both critics and audiences. The film currently holds a low score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics citing issues with its narrative, pacing, and an overwhelming emphasis on connecting to other Marvel projects. Audience reactions were also underwhelming, as evidenced by a “B–” grade from CinemaScore, marking the lowest audience rating ever for an MCU film.

This has led some DC fans to question whether Orton is the right fit for a film featuring two of the company’s most iconic villains.

The apprehension comes at a challenging time for superhero films, as audiences have become increasingly selective following years of comic book adaptations dominating the box office. Fans are hopeful that DC Studios can sidestep the pitfalls that have plagued some recent Marvel projects and deliver a darker, more focused narrative.

The Bane and Deathstroke movie has the potential to shine, given both characters’ rich histories in DC comics. Deathstroke, also known as Slade Wilson, was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez in 1980. Initially introduced as a villain for the Teen Titans, he has evolved into one of DC’s most renowned assassins, appearing in series like ‘Arrow’ and ‘Titans’, as well as various films within the DC universe.

Bane, on the other hand, gained fame after his debut in 1993’s ‘Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1’. He is best known for his iconic battle against Batman, where he physically broke the hero’s back. Tom Hardy previously portrayed him in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.

This upcoming film could finally give both villains the attention they have yet to receive in live-action. Earlier reports also indicated that Greg Mottola, recognized for directing episodes of ‘Peacemaker’, is among the directors being considered for the project.

However, fans are keeping a close eye on developments, especially since DC Studios is currently working to establish a new shared universe under the leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran. Each project carries added pressure as the studio’s previous attempts have struggled to replicate Marvel’s success.

The hiring of Orton does not guarantee the film’s failure, but some fans view the reception of ‘Brave New World’ as a potential red flag. Many are hoping that DC will use the Bane and Deathstroke movie as an opportunity to craft a more mature, violent, and character-driven story.

For now, the project is still in development, and fans will have to wait to see if DC’s most brutal villains can finally get the film they deserve.

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