Deathstroke Is Obsessed With Dick Grayson
In many ways, Slade resents Batman for having the protégé he never had. To recall the animated series once more, Slade wanted Dick to be his apprentice. He appreciated and admired the abilities of the former Boy Wonder and would’ve rather had him as an ally than an enemy.
This angle could be played up beautifully in a film where Slade seeks to be a mentor figure to Dick after his relationship with Bruce becomes fractured. When Nightwing truly uncovers the assassin’s methods and modus operandi, he disagrees with him because of the strong values that Batman instilled in him. This leads to their fallout and war, as well as a self-discovery for Dick.
Not only could Slade’s admiration play a part in setting up the conflict, but it could also assist in resolving the underlying issues between Bruce and Dick. In many ways, it’s reminiscent of The Karate Kid Part III‘s plot where Daniel seeks out Terry Silver’s mentorship after a disagreement with Mr. Miyagi, only to eventually realize he’s nothing like Silver and to make amends with his original mentor and friend. The blueprint is already there, Warner Bros. You just need to pull the trigger on it.