When watching Suicide Squad (2016), it’s hard not to see how WB tried to make it their version of the Suicide Squad. In it, a secret government agency led by Amanda Waller, recruits a group of supervillains to go on dangerous black-ops missions in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. Though the film was met with mixed reviews, it helped launch a new fandom for characters like Harley Quinn.
So, it came as a surprise that the studio wanted to revisit the franchise. But many knew it would be in good hands when they hired Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn. And given his character and comedy work, it would be a colorful film with a massive cast of some of our returning DC favorites and frequent Gunn collaborators.
Viola Davis and Joel Kinnaman reprise their roles as Amanda Waller and Rick Flagg, respectively. Margot Robbie also returns as Harley Quinn, after her colorfully fantabulous emancipation from the Joker. And Jai Courtney is back as Captain Boomerang, the Aussie criminal with a thing for boomerangs and stuffed pink unicorns.
Joining the cast are frequent Gunn collaborators Michael Rooker, who will play Savant, who like Bruce Wayne, is the heir to an enormous fortune, and uses his riches to become a self-styled vigilante. And then there’s Nathan Fillion, who plays TDK. No, it’s not short for The Dark Knight. Finally, there’s Sean Gunn as Weasel.
And they aren’t the only actors from a previous Marvel Studios film to make the jump to DC. David Dastmalchian is Polka-Dot Man, a Batman villain polka-dots covering his costume into a variety of devices. Then there’s Idris Elba, a mercenary who is Superman’s enemy.
Flula Borg plays Javelin; an Olympic athlete turned Green Lantern nemesis. As you might have guessed, his weapon of choice is anything that resembles a spear.
Daniela Melchior is Ratcatcher 2, another Batman villain who was an actual Ratcatcher in a former life but sunk into a life of crime.
Steve Agee will voice King Shark, a humanoid shark, who often fights against Superboy’s likes. Based on the short clip, it looks like they are leaning the character towards being the comedy relief.
Blackbelt martial artist Mayling Ng will play Mongal. Ng actually had an uncredited role in Wonder Woman as Orana. For those that are unfamiliar with Mongal, she is an alien warlord and the twin sister of Mongul.
Former time lord Peter Capaldi will play Thinker, a Flash villain with technologically derived telekinesis and mind control powers.
SNL star Pete Davidson is Blackguard, an enforcer for the 1,000 who clashed with Booster Gold.
John Cena plays Peacemaker. He is described as a “douchy Captain America” who will do anything to achieve total peace. Even if that means getting extremely violent.
And finally, Alice Braga will play Sol Soria.
In addition to the roll call video, WB also released a featurette that gives us a behind the scenes look at the upcoming film. The gritty 1970s war movie, combined with brilliance James Gunn’s characters and comedy, will see the titular team in a jungle operation. Though the details are still a mystery, there will be a lot of collateral damage.
“It’s going to be different from any superhero movie made,” Gunn said. “I was excited with an opportunity to do the Suicide Squad in the way it could be done from my point of view.”
Judging by the color grading, that is true. It is undoubtedly different from the first dark and moody Suicide Squad. Also, unlike the first Suicide Squad, this one is 100% Gunn’s work.
The Suicide Squad is scheduled to open in theaters on August 6, 2021.
