Joe Manganiello talks Deathstroke, says 'The Batman' will film 'soon'

March 9 (UPI) -- Joe Manganiello discussed his role as Deathstroke in The Batman in a new interview with The RI Magazine.

"This is my character, an exciting one, and has the capacity I think, to be a great villain," the actor said of portraying the highly-skilled assassin for hire.

"And what all the great ones can do is polarize 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," he continued.

Manganiello also shared how he has begun preparing for the role by starting Kun fu training and learning how to use a katana.

The Batman, starring Ben Affleck as the caped crusader, has gone through changes behind the scenes with Affleck stepping down as director.

The project will now be directed by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes helmer Matt Reeves with a script by Affleck and famed comic book writer Geoff Johns.

"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," Manganiello said. "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]."

The Batman currently has no release date with Manganiello noting that production is right around the corner.

"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," he said. "When we start shooting it, we'll start shooting it. It will be soon, I can say that."

Deathstroke was first unveiled by Affleck on Twitter when he shared a video featuring the villain staring menacingly at the camera as he sported his signature blue and orange armor.

Deathstroke, aka Slade Wilson, and also nicknamed The Terminator, was created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez in 1980. Known for taking on the Teen Titans and hunting down heroes for the right price, Deathstroke possesses incredible strength, reflexes, a brilliant tactical mind and the ability to regenerate.