DC Studios’ Savage Hunters may completely reinvent two iconic Batman villains’ backstories for the big screen. A new report reveals an unexpected dynamic between Deathstroke and Bane that has no precedent in DC Comics history.
Deathstroke rumored to be Bane’s mentor in DCU movie
DC Studios’ Savage Hunters will reportedly feature a mentor/mentee dynamic between Deathstroke and Bane. According to @AtlantaDCFans on X, Slade Wilson will serve as a mentor to a younger Bane in the film. The scooper also revealed that Deathstroke will be in his 40s while Bane will be in his 20s.
Matthew Orton, known for writing Captain America: Brave New World and Moon Knight, penned the script. Meanwhile, Peacemaker Season 2 director Greg Mottola is reportedly the frontrunner to direct the project. The film carries the working title Savage Hunters and remains in early development.
Notably, this age gap marks a significant departure from the characters’ comic book portrayals. Bane traditionally operates as a self-made tactician who trained himself inside the prison of Peña Duro. He then used a drug called Venom to enhance his physical power before famously breaking Batman’s back. Deathstroke, on the other hand, typically clashes with the Teen Titans and Batman as a lone mercenary.
Furthermore, the two villains share little to no meaningful history together in DC Comics. Several fans have also questioned why the studio prioritizes villain projects over solo outings for Batman and Wonder Woman. The DCU’s Bruce Wayne has not been cast yet, and The Brave and the Bold remains undated. DC Studios initially announced that Batman film at the start of 2023 alongside its broader slate.
Additionally, Savage Hunters joins The Brave and the Bold, Teen Titans, Swamp Thing, and Wonder Woman in early development. However, trade reports confirm none of these projects have received a greenlight yet. DC Studios currently has nothing scheduled for 2028 and beyond following Man of Tomorrow.Deathstroke originally gained his enhanced strength, agility, and intelligence through a government experiment. He is known for his tactical genius and expert combat skills across decades of DC stories.
