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Actor's near-death health battle fueled Deathstroke role
10 Oct
Summary
- Manganiello suffered life-threatening health issues before casting.
- He battled severe intestinal problems and required an ostomy bag.
- The Deathstroke role motivated him to recover from his illness.
Actor Joe Manganiello's casting as Deathstroke in Ben Affleck's unproduced Batman film served as a critical lifeline during a period of severe health struggles. Around 2016, Manganiello experienced a near-fatal autoimmune disease that attacked his thyroid and intestines, leading to hospitalization and emergency surgery.
Doctors removed a significant portion of his large intestine, requiring him to use an ostomy bag. This ordeal caused extreme physical and mental distress, including drastic weight loss from 235 to 176 pounds and nervous breakdowns. The ostomy bag presented daily challenges, including leaks and eruptions.
Despite pleas from his then-wife Sofia Vergara to forgo the demanding role due to his condition, Manganiello saw the opportunity to play Deathstroke as essential for his survival. He believed the role offered the hope needed to reclaim his life and pushed forward, even hiding his health status from the production.
To manage his ostomy bag during a suit fitting, Manganiello fasted for 18 hours to ensure it was empty. Affleck's Batman film was ultimately canceled, with Affleck later citing personal struggles. Manganiello briefly portrayed Deathstroke in Justice League and has expressed interest in a standalone film.
