DC’sSuicide Squadseems like less of a gamble than Marvel’sGuardians of the Galaxy, but will it be as successful? The teaser trailer, which premiered at Comic-Con, hints that it will be, as it garners more views than the one released forBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. While theSuicide Squadtitle itself may be lesser known than some of itsDC comic bookcounterparts like Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the Justice League, it has one of the most popular villains of all time, in any medium, in The Joker. It is also bringing a fan favorite character to the big screen for the first time with Harley Quinn. This, along with a ragtag group of villainous misfits played by some of Hollywood’s top talent. Still, there is that lingering feeling that DC and Warner Bros. don’t quite have the proper footing in launching an epic superhero cinematic universe in line with the MCU just yet. Will it falter? Will it rise to the occasion? Or will it prove to be so weird, it garners a healthy, hardcore fan base while turning away general audiences? All of those things seem likely when looking at what we know about the movie so far. This is going to be one wild ride, and it will surely be one of the more interesting projects to come out of the DC canon.
When DC and Warner Bros. unveiled theirupcoming slate through the year 2020,Suicide Squadwas easily the most surprising, and somewhat shocking, inclusion. For the first time in comic book movie history, a film will be solely devoted to the super villains of a particular comic book’s long-standing legacy. A movie headlined by The Joker, Harley Quinn and Deadshot seems like an impossibility just a few short years ago. But here it is, standing next to a stellar line-up that includes standalone adventures for nearly all of DC Comics most iconic characters. These includeWonder Woman,Green Lantern,The Flash,Aquaman,Shazam!,Cyborgand the ensemble adventuresJustice League Part 1andJustice League Part 2. Maybe even more surprising was the fact that DC and Warner Bros. is usingSuicide Squadas one of the flag ship titles to launch their shared universe of comic book characters. WhileMan of Steelis included in this line-up, it was conceived and made under a different mindset.Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justicewill be the true foundation upon which everything else rests. WithSuicide Squadthe first to experiment outside of the box.
Suicide Squadwill work in showing a very different side of this universe. While the other movies are devoted to the heroes of the Justice League, this one revolves around its own core group of thugs tasked with the impossible. These super villains accept a secret government mission that will likely result in their deaths. But if they survive, they will be pardoned. While it is entirely it’s own thing, it promises to tie into the other Justice League films in unique and interesting ways. And it will show us sides to these characters that we haven’t seen outside of the comic books. It certainly promises to be one Hell of a trip for all involved, all the way down to one unsuspecting rat named Venustiano!
13The Legacy
One reason theSuicide Squadannouncement came as a surprise is that this team was already flourishing on the small screen in The CW’sArrow. Though, with a slightly different line-up that doesn’t include the Joker. It was the first indication that the DC movie and TV worlds would be separate entities. The second came whenThe Flashwas announced. It has no ties to The CW series, but will follow the same main character Barry Allen. ThisSuicide Squadwill paint a very different picture than what we’ve seen before. But its legacy is one of the most far reaching in theDC comic bookuniverse. And it has certainly gone through some changes over the course of the past 6 decades. Task Force X was first introduced in the 1959 comic book The Brave and the Bold #25 , and was decidedly different from the version we know today. Though, Rick Flag was a member of this original group and will be a part of the movie. They began their journey as a WWII military outfit that slowly morphed over time, becoming what we see before us today. As it stands, the modern Task Force X is a squadron of antiheroes who go on high-risk black ops missions as deniable assets for the US government. They operate out of Belle Reve Penitentiary under the watchful eye of the villainous Amanda Waller. The existence of the Suicide Squad helps explain why so many of Gotham and Metropolis most dangerous convicts are roaming free, without the various heroes trying to track them down. The movie will stick to this core esthetic in establishing its team of bad guys.
12Other TV Shows and Movies
Arrowisn’t the first or only TV show to use theSuicide Squadbefore they got their own standalone movie. They made one appearance in theJustice League Unlimitedanimated series where they are only ever referred to as Task Force X. And they made their first live action appearance in the tenth and final season ofSmallville. The movie, however, will introduce quite a few iconic characters that have never been seen on the big or small screen before. And because of that, there will be a heightened sense of reality that was all but abandoned by directorChristopher Nolan’s more realistic and grounded approach with the Dark Knight trilogy. This version will see King Shark and Killer Croc walking around, out in the open, in all their comic book glory. That’s something that makes this particular DC Comics movie stand apart from what we’ve seen in recent years, with the exception of some of the crazy aliens witnessed in the 2011 bombGreen Lantern.
11Director David Ayer
David Ayeris one crazy MF’r, and one of the most unique and interesting directors working the Hollywood scene today. you’re able to’t deny his talent for pulling intense performances out of his cast, and he knows how to orchestrate and choreography brutal, realistic violence that will punch a hole through your gut. This is not a Marvel director. His aesthetic doesn’t fit in with the MCU and its colorful cartoon-like action and violence. The fact that he was chosen to lead theSuicide Squadis a great indicator that DC and Warner Bros. are striving for something very different than their biggest comic book movie competitor. While we’re not sure what type of movieSuicide Squadwill end up being when the smoke and dust clears, it will be unique into and of itself. That much has been revealed in all of the set photos and video that has leaked thus far. The vibe seems more upbeat and colorful than it’s predecessorBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Though it has also been driven home that this will go very dark, and deep into the psyche of a mad man. A few of them, actually.David Ayeris a former Navy submariner, and has come face to face with war violence in its most extreme and ugliest of forms. He has also spent a lot of time with cops on the streets of South Central Los Angeles. His first success came with the Academy Award-winning dramaTraining Day, which he wrote. He’s also directed some hard-hitting action dramas that are unique to the genre, including last year’s WWII Tank thrillerFuryand the grittyArnold Schwarzeneggerrevenge flickSabotage. He makes his actors perform their own stunts, and is putting hisSuicide Squadcast through a grueling workout of a movie experience. Will his blood-stained real world take on mayhem translate in a world where a man with green hair drives around in a purple douche mobile? Even if the movie fails to connect with audiences, it will be something truly exceptional. If it doesn’t make it as a hollywood blockbuster that tears apart the box office, rest assured, it will stand as a cult classic.
10The Joker
The only thing scarier thanJared Letoas The Joker is the legacy he has to live up to in resurrecting this extremely popular villain for the big screen. But it sounds like he is giving it his all. After many different actors have brought their own unique spin to this iconic DC comics bad guy,Heath Ledger’s take on the clown prince stands in everyone’s mind as the definitive, Oscar-winning, go to version. But the character needs to live on, and it sounds likeJared Letois up to the task. We’ve all heard the actor tease his deep, menacing voice. And we’ve all seen the pictures, which depict this version ofThe Jokeras a pale, green haired hooligan painted in Hot Topic tattoos. An image that has rankled some fanboys, while pleasing others less tied into the Nolan-Verse. One thing is for certain,Jared Letois taking this role very seriously. A known method actor who goes out of his way to inhabit those he plays on stage and screen, fellow actors have claimed thatJared Letohas been swallowed up by The Joker. He remains in character on and off set. He is fully inhabiting this insane murderer, and will not emerge until the lights come up in the theater. He even went as far as to send his co-stars creepy Joker-inspired gifts, giving his Harley Quinn,Margot Robbie, a live rat, which now lives with directorGuillermo del Toro, and DeadshotWill Smithsome bullets and a dead hog. Will all this hard work pay off?Jared Letodid win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor after fully diving into the life of a trans woman with HIV. As for the Joker character itself, this version is said to be based on Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns Joker, but his appearance doesn’t quite fit with that description. We do know that The Joker spends most of the movie locked in a jail cell. Rumor has it that he only really gets to come out and play during the big third act climax and fight. Other actors have done nothing but back up those claims in recent interviews, often describing a Joker who ‘isn’t there’.However you want to frame it, this version of the Joker is said to go ‘all out’ and may even surpassHeath Ledger. According to the teaser trailer from Comic-Con, we will even get to see how he transforms Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, Psy.D, into the tour de force known as Harley Quinn. Though, the first footage from the movie doesn’t show us too much Joker, saving him for a few scenes at the end. We do know that he will lead a raid at some point in the movie. But how it ties into the story is anyone’s guess at this point.
9Harley Quinn
You might think thatMargot Robbieis the first person to ever play Harley Quinn in the flesh, but you’d be wrong. Mia Sara, whom you may know as Ferris' girlfriend Sloan inFerris Bueller’s Day Off, holds that distinction, playing the character in the short-lived 2002 live-action television seriesBirds of Prey. But Mia Sara played something that was closer to the original incarnation, created for theBatmananimated series back in 1992. Yes, that’s right. Harley Quinn wasn’t created for the comic books. But she did get a hefty reboot in the New 52 line of comics, whichMargot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is clearly based on in appearance. Though, it isn’t know how closely her backstory will follow what is in the comics. Fans had an equally similar reaction to seeing the actress in her full get-up for the first time as they did with The Joker, with her high heeled Adidas and her Daddy’s Little Monster jersey causing quite a ruckus. We know that Harley will be a quite ordinary, though extraordinarily beautiful blonde haired psychiatrist named Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzell, M.D. when we first meet her. Though it’s unclear if she will have been a former member of the Arkham Asylum staff. We know from the teaser trailer that The Joker is involved with her villainous transformation, torturing her with electrodes and turning her a bit crazy in the process. In the movie, Harley is said to be on a mission to break the Joker out of jail when she is forcibly recruited by Amanda Waller for Task Force X. Her team’s objective has not yet been revealed. And just how her transformation into Harley Quinn happens is something that will be shown in the movie, not revealed here. It is possible that she will feature into a flashback scene inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, which arrives in theaters a few months prior toSuicide Squad. The most important aspect to know about Harley Quinn is that she will keep her thickBrooklyn accent.
The big change here is thatDeadshotin the comic books is White. But most fans didn’t seem to care that he is getting race-swapped in this big screen version. Perhaps that’s because one of the biggest actors on the planet,Will Smith, is playing him. It also seems that those who would rally and complain about such a thing used up all their energy screaming aboutMichael B. Jordantaking over the role of used-to-be-white Johnny Storm in theFantastic Fourreboot. Deadshot’s race doesn’t play a big factor into the character’s backstory in the comic books, but that might change with the movie. We know that he has a young daughter. And that he is the defacto team leader. He has a special relationship with Harley Quinn in the movie that may deviate from the comic books. She is the one responsible for giving him his facial scar.Margot RobbieandWill Smithhave already established a strong chemistry together after appearing in the romantic con thrillerFocus, and some of that same energy has been on display in the set photo and video leaks. With the movie based primarily on the New 52 comics, it is believed Deadshot’s history and motivation will be pulled from those storyl lines. His daughter will be used as collateral and control, keeping him locked down with the team. The costume, which was revealed early on in the process, has made some changes, but remains true to the spirit of the character. Even so, fans have been just as vocal about Deadshot as they have been about The Joker and Harley Quinn. CanWill Smithdeliver something unique to the comic book genre while pleasing longtime fans of the character? That has yet to be seen.
7The Ensemble Cast
With its conceit to play as the anti-Justice League, you can believe that this movie version ofSuicide Squadis not going to pale in comparison. DirectorDavid Ayerhas made sure to pull in a great number of DC comic book characters both very popular and obscure. As noted,Jared Leto’s Joker,Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn andWill Smith’s Deadshot lead the crew. They are joined byAdam Beachas Slipknot,Jai Courtneyas Boomerang,Cara Delevingneas Enchantress, Karen Fukuhara as Katana,Joel Kinnamanas Rick Flagg,Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbajeas Killer Croc andJay Hernandezas El Diablo. We were introduced to these expendable players earlier on with an official photo from DC and Warner Bros. But wait, these aren’t the only crew members, or big names in the cast. If nothing else,Suicide Squadis going to win the award for best ensemble in any superhero movie, ever.Scott Eastwoodis rumored to be playing the very popular character Deathstroke, but that has never been confirmed. AndCommonwas spotted on set with a large dragon tattoo covering his head, leading many to believe he is playing (duh) TheTattooed Man.Ike Barinholtzis playing Hugo Strange. AndJim Parrackis locked in as Jonny Frost. Perhaps coolest of all is that we’ll get to seeRay Olubowaleas King Shark, live and in the flesh. Whoever thought that would happen? He’s clearly DC’s answer to Marvel’s Rocket Raccoon. A character so outragoues we never thought we’d see them on the silver screen. Oh, and we almost forgot the most important player of them all. The lovely Viola Davis will be playing the one and only Amanda Waller, insuring that we get a badass in this incarnation of the character.
6The Story So Far
While we know thatSuicide Squadrevolves around a group of expendable super villains pulled out of prison to complete an almost impossible mission in return for their freedom, do we really know what the story is about? The set photos have given us a huge clue. An airliner has crashed in the streets of Midway City, and the Suicide Squad is sent to retrieve whatever hides inside. And it must be something gargantuan and not very nice, as it takes the entire team to corral and control the situation, even after odd alien type creatures and the military have already given it their best try. We also know that there will be an epic car chase between Batman and The Joker (more on that later, though). Other than that, we have to rely on speculation and hearsay. The story has been described as The Dirty Dozen with super villains. And their mission, what ever it is, will be beyond risky. It has long been believed that the movie will open with Deadshot attempting to assassinate a bigger villain being transported to Arkham. At the same time, Harley is trying to break Joker out. They are all captured and moved to Amanda Waller’s compound. The team is formed, and they are tasked with stopping Lex Luthor from purchasing bio-weaponary from a gang of human traffickers. Enchantress is included as part of the deal, whichTask Force Xwill stop, instead retrieving Enchantress for their own use. These details come from an early version of the script, and it isn’t known if any of these plot points are still in play. The bio-weaponary in question may be what was on the plane seen in the leaked set videos. The third act of the movie is said to revolve around a giant prison break, which frees The Joker, who has been locked up for most of the Squad’s first mission. Most reports seem to indicate that there is some truth to this. However it goes, there will be wall-to-wall action throughout most of the film, and you can expect that some of the characters will not get a chance to truly shine within such a huge ensemble.
5The New 52 Comic Books
Let’s start with the fact that the officialSuicide Squadmovie logo comes directly from theNew 52 comic books. Right down to the placement of the bullet holes. Then there’s the fact that one of the first things directorDavid Ayerdid after securing the job was tweet out a stack of New 52Suicide Squadcomic books. While the main push of the story hasn’t been fully revealed, the majority of what we’ll be seeing on screen is firmly rooted in the rebranding of this title that happened in the DC Comic Books way back in 2011. This version has Amanda Waller running the group from behind the scenes, a definite component that will be seen in the movie. Deadshot, Harley Quinn and King Shark are all featured prominently in this run. And while all three will have roles in the movie, the outlandish King Shark is getting slighted on his screen time. The title was revived in 2014 with an all-new line-up, one that isn’t represented here. Deadshot and Harley Quinn team up with Deathstroke, rumored to be in the movie but never confirmed, along with Black Manta, and Joker’s Daughter. For a while, some fans speculated thatCommonwas playing Black Manta, but set photos proved that notion false. And there has been absolutely no mention of Joker’s daughter having any part in the movie. The New 52 comics served as a showpiece for Harley, and it seems that she’ll be getting plenty of screen time in this movie. What’s still up for question is her backstory and her relationship with The Joker, which we suspect will be altered or tweaked slightly from what is on the page.
4The Location
Where doesSuicide Squadtake place? Oddly enough, one of the film’s biggest action scenes takes place inMidway City. This is otherwise known as home to DC Comics favorite Hawkman. As of yet, there has been no mention of Hawkman joining the cinematic Justice League, and we haven’t heard that he’ll be showing up inSuicide Squadeither. Another location that ‘may’ be featured in the movie is Batman’s stomping grounds, Gotham City. Set video confirms that a chase between The Joker and Batman takes place here. But this could be footage for a flashback being used inBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. More on that later. IfSuicide Squadis sticking as close to the New 52 content as expected, the team will be working from their headquarters at Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary. This is located in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Despite the wonderful tax breaks given to movies shooting in that area of the United States, we haven’t heard that the film will move away from its Toronto stomping grounds, where the film continues to shoot. As of now, we haven’t heard that the story will spill into Lex Luthor’s home turf of Metropolis, where Superman also resides.
