Joe Manganiello reveals role in Batman film aided health recovery

Actor Joe Manganiello has revealed that being cast as the villain Deathstroke in Ben Affleck’s planned standalone Batman film served as a vital motivation during a near-fatal health crisis.

In excerpts from his memoir, *Bloodlines*, Manganiello describes collapsing on the set of the series *Six* in 2016 due to an unexplainable autoimmune disease that attacked his thyroid and intestines. The illness resulted in a significant weight loss, dropping from 235 to 176 pounds, and required surgeons to remove much of his large intestine, necessitating the use of an ostomy bag.

Manganiello noted that while his then-wife, Sofia Vergara, urged him not to accept the high-stakes role due to his fragile physical state, he viewed the opportunity as a “shred of hope” to reclaim his life. He also detailed the physical challenges of filming, including fasting before costume fittings to manage his medical condition while wearing tight superhero armor.