The Suicide Squad (film): Difference between revisions
No edit summary Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit |
no, wait for the consensus smartass |
||
Line 152: | Line 152: | ||
===Critical response=== |
===Critical response=== |
||
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], |
On [[review aggregator]] website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], 91% of 335 critics have given the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Enlivened by writer-director James Gunn's singularly skewed vision, ''The Suicide Squad'' marks a funny, fast-paced rebound that plays to the source material's violent, anarchic strengths."<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id=the_suicide_squad |type=m |title= The Suicide Squad (2021) |access-date=September 2, 2021}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>{{Cite Metacritic |id=the-suicide-squad |type=movie |title=The Suicide Squad Reviews |access-date=August 12, 2021}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, the same score as the first film, while [[PostTrak]] reported 83% of audience members gave it a positive score, with 62% saying they would definitely recommend it.<ref name=DeadlineOpening/> |
||
Reviewing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', Katie Rife gave the film a "B+" grade and said, "Now that superhero movies have gone from disreputable entertainment for children to global events ushered in with awed reverence, it was time for someone to come along and pop the balloon. Pulpy and outrageous, irreverent and ultraviolent, ''The Suicide Squad'' does so with a smile."<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.avclub.com/the-suicide-squad-is-vulgar-immature-and-gratuitous-a-1847370243 |title= The Suicide Squad is vulgar, immature, and gratuitous—and that's what's great about it |website= [[The A.V. Club]] |date= July 28, 2021 |accessdate= July 28, 2021 |archive-date= July 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210728182014/https://www.avclub.com/the-suicide-squad-is-vulgar-immature-and-gratuitous-a-1847370243 |url-status= live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', [[Owen Gleiberman]] called the film what "the first ''Suicide Squad'' should have been" and said that "''The Suicide Squad'' comes sizzlingly alive as all-cylinders comic-book moviemaking. There's a frowsy destructive joy to the staging."<ref>{{Cite web |last= Gleiberman |first= Owen |date= July 28, 2021 |title= 'The Suicide Squad' Review: James Gunn Stages a Do-Over With Destructive Style |url= https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-suicide-squad-review-idris-elba-margot-robbie-james-gunn-1235028666/ |access-date= July 28, 2021 |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date= July 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210728160525/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-suicide-squad-review-idris-elba-margot-robbie-james-gunn-1235028666/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Clarisse Loughrey of ''[[The Independent]]'' also praised the film and considered it an improvement over ''Suicide Squad'', writing "Gunn’s distinct and self-assured vision, which he’s said was left untouched and unbothered by studio interference, puts ''The Suicide Squad'' alongside the very best of modern comic-book filmmaking. His film, which now comes with an all-important ''<nowiki>'The'</nowiki>'' at the beginning of its title, functions both as a sequel and a fresh start."<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 29, 2021|title=DC's semi-sequel The Suicide Squad is a vast improvement on 2016's Suicide Squad – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/suicide-squad-review-new-movie-b1892324.html|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=[[The Independent]]|language=en|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174956/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/suicide-squad-review-new-movie-b1892324.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Brian Truitt of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4 and said "''The Suicide Squad'' shifts superhero movies into a hilarious, gory and exceedingly bonkers new direction but writer/director James Gunn still makes time to show one goofy supervillain making sure another's buckled up for a plane ride headed for certain doom" and also said that the film "is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Truitt|first=Brian|title=Review: James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/07/28/the-suicide-squad-review-james-gunn-blows-up-superhero-movie/5395979001/|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=[[USA Today]]|language=en-US|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730033744/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/07/28/the-suicide-squad-review-james-gunn-blows-up-superhero-movie/5395979001/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Justin Chang]] from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' stated: "After 2016's ugly, bludgeoning ''Suicide Squad'', I couldn't imagine liking - and could barely stomach the idea of seeing - another movie called ''Suicide Squad''. I'm delighted to be proven wrong", and called the film "redemption for James Gunn and DC".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-07-28/the-suicide-squad-review-hbomax-margot-robbie-james-gunn|title='The Suicide Squad' review: Redemption for James Gunn and DC|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|last=Chang|first=Justin|date=July 28, 2021|access-date=July 28, 2021|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728161246/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-07-28/the-suicide-squad-review-hbomax-margot-robbie-james-gunn|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref> Richard Trenholm of ''[[CNET]]'' gave the film a positive review and praised it for its themes, writing "This irreverent comic book movie takes shots at very big and serious themes, raging against [[Imperialism|Western imperialism]], [[American foreign policy]] and government deception as it indicts interference in foreign countries. Representing this chilling bureaucratic evil, Amanda Waller emerges as perhaps the most hateful villain in the DC universe — certainly the coldest."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trenholm|first=Richard|title=The Suicide Squad review: A gory, glorious and deranged delight|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/the-suicide-squad-movie-review-a-gory-glorious-deranged-dc-delight/|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=[[CNET]]|language=en|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174956/https://www.cnet.com/news/the-suicide-squad-movie-review-a-gory-glorious-deranged-dc-delight/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
Reviewing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', Katie Rife gave the film a "B+" grade and said, "Now that superhero movies have gone from disreputable entertainment for children to global events ushered in with awed reverence, it was time for someone to come along and pop the balloon. Pulpy and outrageous, irreverent and ultraviolent, ''The Suicide Squad'' does so with a smile."<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.avclub.com/the-suicide-squad-is-vulgar-immature-and-gratuitous-a-1847370243 |title= The Suicide Squad is vulgar, immature, and gratuitous—and that's what's great about it |website= [[The A.V. Club]] |date= July 28, 2021 |accessdate= July 28, 2021 |archive-date= July 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210728182014/https://www.avclub.com/the-suicide-squad-is-vulgar-immature-and-gratuitous-a-1847370243 |url-status= live }}</ref> Writing for ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'', [[Owen Gleiberman]] called the film what "the first ''Suicide Squad'' should have been" and said that "''The Suicide Squad'' comes sizzlingly alive as all-cylinders comic-book moviemaking. There's a frowsy destructive joy to the staging."<ref>{{Cite web |last= Gleiberman |first= Owen |date= July 28, 2021 |title= 'The Suicide Squad' Review: James Gunn Stages a Do-Over With Destructive Style |url= https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-suicide-squad-review-idris-elba-margot-robbie-james-gunn-1235028666/ |access-date= July 28, 2021 |work= [[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |archive-date= July 28, 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210728160525/https://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/the-suicide-squad-review-idris-elba-margot-robbie-james-gunn-1235028666/ |url-status= live }}</ref> Clarisse Loughrey of ''[[The Independent]]'' also praised the film and considered it an improvement over ''Suicide Squad'', writing "Gunn’s distinct and self-assured vision, which he’s said was left untouched and unbothered by studio interference, puts ''The Suicide Squad'' alongside the very best of modern comic-book filmmaking. His film, which now comes with an all-important ''<nowiki>'The'</nowiki>'' at the beginning of its title, functions both as a sequel and a fresh start."<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 29, 2021|title=DC's semi-sequel The Suicide Squad is a vast improvement on 2016's Suicide Squad – review|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/suicide-squad-review-new-movie-b1892324.html|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=[[The Independent]]|language=en|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174956/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/suicide-squad-review-new-movie-b1892324.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Brian Truitt of ''[[USA Today]]'' gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4 and said "''The Suicide Squad'' shifts superhero movies into a hilarious, gory and exceedingly bonkers new direction but writer/director James Gunn still makes time to show one goofy supervillain making sure another's buckled up for a plane ride headed for certain doom" and also said that the film "is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Truitt|first=Brian|title=Review: James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/07/28/the-suicide-squad-review-james-gunn-blows-up-superhero-movie/5395979001/|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=[[USA Today]]|language=en-US|archive-date=July 30, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730033744/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/07/28/the-suicide-squad-review-james-gunn-blows-up-superhero-movie/5395979001/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Justin Chang]] from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' stated: "After 2016's ugly, bludgeoning ''Suicide Squad'', I couldn't imagine liking - and could barely stomach the idea of seeing - another movie called ''Suicide Squad''. I'm delighted to be proven wrong", and called the film "redemption for James Gunn and DC".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-07-28/the-suicide-squad-review-hbomax-margot-robbie-james-gunn|title='The Suicide Squad' review: Redemption for James Gunn and DC|website=[[Los Angeles Times]]|last=Chang|first=Justin|date=July 28, 2021|access-date=July 28, 2021|archive-date=July 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728161246/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-07-28/the-suicide-squad-review-hbomax-margot-robbie-james-gunn|url-status=live|url-access=limited}}</ref> Richard Trenholm of ''[[CNET]]'' gave the film a positive review and praised it for its themes, writing "This irreverent comic book movie takes shots at very big and serious themes, raging against [[Imperialism|Western imperialism]], [[American foreign policy]] and government deception as it indicts interference in foreign countries. Representing this chilling bureaucratic evil, Amanda Waller emerges as perhaps the most hateful villain in the DC universe — certainly the coldest."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trenholm|first=Richard|title=The Suicide Squad review: A gory, glorious and deranged delight|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/the-suicide-squad-movie-review-a-gory-glorious-deranged-dc-delight/|access-date=July 29, 2021|website=[[CNET]]|language=en|archive-date=July 29, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729174956/https://www.cnet.com/news/the-suicide-squad-movie-review-a-gory-glorious-deranged-dc-delight/|url-status=live}}</ref> |
Revision as of 12:32, 2 September 2021
The Suicide Squad | |
---|---|
![]() Official release poster | |
Directed by | James Gunn |
Written by | James Gunn |
Based on | Characters from DC |
Produced by | |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Henry Braham |
Edited by | |
Music by | John Murphy |
Production companies | |
Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 132 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $185 million[2] |
Box office | $154.6 million[3][4] |
The Suicide Squad is a 2021 American superhero film based on DC Comics featuring the team Suicide Squad. Produced by DC Films, Atlas Entertainment, and The Safran Company, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, it is a standalone sequel to Suicide Squad (2016) and the tenth film in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). It was written and directed by James Gunn and stars an ensemble cast including Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Michael Rooker, Jai Courtney, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, and Pete Davidson. In the film, a task force of convicts known as the Suicide Squad are sent to the island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy evidence of the giant alien starfish Starro the Conqueror.
David Ayer was set to return as director for a Suicide Squad sequel by March 2016, but in December he chose to develop a Gotham City Sirens film instead. Warner Bros. considered several replacement directors before hiring Gavin O'Connor in September 2017. He left by October 2018, and Gunn was hired to write and direct the film after being temporarily fired by Disney and Marvel Studios as the director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023). He drew inspiration from war films and John Ostrander's 1980s Suicide Squad comics, and decided to explore new characters in a story separate from the first film's narrative, though some cast members do return from Suicide Squad. Filming began in Atlanta, Georgia, in September 2019, and concluded in Panama in February 2020.
The Suicide Squad was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on July 30, 2021, and in the United States on August 5, while streaming on HBO Max for a month starting the same day. It received positive reviews from critics, who praised Gunn's script, direction, and visual style. Many found the film a significant improvement over its predecessor. However, it underperformed at the box office, grossing over $154.6 million worldwide against a budget of $185 million,[5][6] though it became the third-most-streamed film on HBO Max. Peacemaker, a spin-off television series starring Cena, is set to debut on HBO Max in January 2022.
Plot
Intelligence officer Amanda Waller assembles two Task Force X teams—colloquially known as the Suicide Squad—that comprise Belle Reve penitentiary inmates, who agree to carry out missions for Waller in exchange for lighter sentences. They are sent to the South American island nation of Corto Maltese after its government is overthrown by an anti-American regime, and are tasked with destroying the Nazi-era laboratory Jötunheim which holds a secretive experiment known as "Project Starfish". One team is led by Waller's subordinate Colonel Rick Flag, who are almost entirely wiped out by the Corto Maltese military upon landing. This distraction allows the other team to enter the country undetected. The second team is led by assassin Bloodsport, who accepted the mission in order to prevent his daughter from being incarcerated at Belle Reve, and consists of Peacemaker, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, and Ratcatcher 2. They find Flag at a base camp for rebel soldiers and convince rebellion leader Sol Soria to assist them.
Harley Quinn survives the attack on the first team and is taken captive by the Corto Maltese government. She learns of the new regime's plans to use Project Starfish against other nations. In the Corto Maltese capital, the second team captures the Thinker, the lead scientist in charge of Project Starfish. Harley escapes and joins the others, who use the Thinker to break into Jötunheim. Most of the Squad rigs the facility with explosives as Flag and Ratcatcher 2 enter the underground laboratory with the Thinker. He reveals that Project Starfish is Starro the Conqueror, a giant alien starfish that creates smaller versions of itself to kill people and take control of their bodies. Starro was brought to Earth by the U.S. government, who have been secretly funding experiments on him in Corto Maltese for the past thirty years using thousands of the island's citizens as test subjects. An enraged Flag decides to leak a hard drive containing evidence of this revelation, but is killed by Peacemaker who is under secret orders from Waller to cover up the U.S.'s involvement in the experiments. Meanwhile, a skirmish between the Squad and the Corto Maltese military leads to Polka-Dot Man accidentally setting off the explosives prematurely. As the facility falls apart, Peacemaker attempts to execute Ratcatcher 2 for knowing the truth about Starro, but Bloodsport shoots him and takes the drive.
Starro escapes the destroyed laboratory, kills the Thinker and much of the military, and begins taking control of the island's population. Waller tells the Squad that their mission is complete now that Jötunheim is destroyed, but Bloodsport chooses to ignore her and leads his teammates in battling Starro. Waller attempts to execute the Squad for this but is incapacitated by her subordinates. During the battle, Polka-Dot Man is killed, Harley pierces a hole in Starro's eye, and Ratcatcher 2 summons the city's rats to chew the alien to death from the inside. With the military diverted, Soria takes control of the government and pledges democratic elections. Bloodsport forces Waller to release him and his surviving teammates from their imprisonment in exchange for keeping the contents of the drive confidential, and the Squad are airlifted out of Corto Maltese.
In a post-credits scene, Peacemaker is shown to be alive and under the supervision of Waller's subordinates.
Cast
- Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn:
A crazed criminal and former psychiatrist.[7] Robbie said the film would show a new side of the character compared to her previous DC Extended Universe (DCEU) appearances due to her being in a new place and surrounded by new characters.[8] Director James Gunn likened Harley's relationship with Bloodsport to the comedy duo Abbott and Costello, with Harley being Costello.[9] Robbie wears a new costume that features Harley's traditional red and black color palette, with Gunn taking inspiration from the character's costume in the video game Batman: Arkham City (2011). He wanted her jacket to have "motorcycle gang style"-writing on the back, and chose "Live fast, die clown" over other potential options "Clown AF" and "World's Best Grandpa".[10] Gunn also removed Harley's "Rotten" facial tattoo that she had in previous DCEU films because both he and Robbie disliked it.[11] - Idris Elba as Robert DuBois / Bloodsport:
A mercenary with a technologically-advanced suit that he can use to create different gadgets and transforming weaponry (an adaptation of the comic book character's ability to manifest weapons).[10][12] After being convicted of shooting Superman with a Kryptonite bullet, Bloodsport shortens his prison sentence by joining Task Force X so he can help his daughter Tyla.[12] Gunn said each member of the Suicide Squad in the film was inspired by a different film genre,[12] and described Bloodsport as an unsentimental portrayal of a 1960s action hero like Steve McQueen, without the "moral repercussions" of those characters.[9] Elba was reportedly cast to replace Will Smith as Deadshot, but the character was changed to Bloodsport so Smith could reprise his role in the future;[13][14] Gunn chose Bloodsport because he liked the character in the comics.[10] - John Cena as Christopher Smith / Peacemaker:
A ruthless, jingoistic killer who believes in achieving peace at any cost.[7][9][15] Gunn told Cena not to read any Peacemaker comics before filming, and Cena originally approached the role with an "angular, drill sergeant, Full Metal Jacket-esque personality" before Gunn told him to act like a "douchey, bro-y Captain America".[16] Gunn added that the character was straight out of a 1970s television series like Wonder Woman.[12] - Joel Kinnaman as Colonel Rick Flag:
The field leader of the Suicide Squad.[7] Kinnaman said the film was an opportunity to give the character a blank slate, and said Flag was sillier, less jaded, more naive, and funnier compared to his portrayal in the first Suicide Squad (2016).[17] - Sylvester Stallone as the voice of Nanaue / King Shark:
A man-eating fish-human hybrid.[18][19][20] Steve Agee developed King Shark's portrayal as a stand-in on set,[21][22] with the character then created with visual effects.[23] Gunn initially used a hammerhead shark design from the New 52 comics, but found it awkward to film the character with other actors due to his eyes being on the sides of his head.[24] Gunn settled on a great white shark design similar to the one seen in the Harley Quinn (2019–present) animated series, though this was a coincidence as that series was released after filming for The Suicide Squad began.[22] Gunn gave King Shark a dad bod to make him look less like a mammal,[25] as well as small eyes, a big mouth, and a small head to avoid the "cute anthropomorphic beast" design seen in popular characters like Baby Groot from his Guardians of the Galaxy films and The Mandalorian's Baby Yoda.[26] - Viola Davis as Amanda Waller:
The director of A.R.G.U.S. who runs the Task Force X program.[27] Davis was the only non-Suicide Squad cast member to return from the first film.[28] - David Dastmalchian as Abner Krill / Polka-Dot Man:
An "experiment gone wrong" in a suit covered with polka dots.[7][29] Gunn described Polka-Dot Man as "the dumbest DC character of all time" whom he hoped to turn into a tragic character for the film.[30][31] Unbeknownst to Gunn, Dastmalchian has vitiligo and felt a personal connection to the character for reasons including being bullied and called "polka dots" as a child.[32] - Daniela Melchior as Cleo Cazo / Ratcatcher 2:
A thief who inherited the mantle of "Ratcatcher" from her father, along with equipment that allows her to control rats and communicate with them.[33] Gunn described her as the "heart of the film".[34] - Michael Rooker as Brian Durlin / Savant:[35] A hand-to-hand combat and weapons expert.[36]
- Jai Courtney as George "Digger" Harkness / Captain Boomerang:
An unhinged Australian thief who wields boomerangs.[37] Courtney stated that unlike Rick Flag, Captain Boomerang has not changed since the events of Suicide Squad, being "the same shitbag liability we came to learn about in the first one. He's out there causing trouble as you would expect."[38] - Peter Capaldi as Gaius Grieves / The Thinker: The lead scientist of Project Starfish.[27][39]
- Alice Braga as Sol Soria: The leader of a rebel faction on Corto Maltese.[7][40]
- Pete Davidson as Richard "Dick" Hertz / Blackguard: An easily manipulated mercenary.[7][41]
The ill-fated first Suicide Squad team includes Nathan Fillion as Cory Pitzner / T.D.K. (The Detachable Kid), a metahuman who can detach his arms from his body;[7][15][42] Sean Gunn as Weasel, an anthropomorphic weasel whose portrayal is based on Bill the Cat from the comic strip Bloom County and who James Gunn described as "barely more than an animal";[10][43] Flula Borg as Gunter Braun / Javelin, a former Olympic athlete who wields javelins as weapons;[7][18][35] and Mayling Ng as Mongal, an alien mass murderer.[7][44] Ratcatcher 2's pet rat Sebastian is voiced by Dee Bradley Baker and portrayed on-set by rats named Jaws and Crisp Ratt,[40][45] while Taika Waititi portrays her father, the original Ratcatcher.[34]
In addition to playing King Shark on set, Steve Agee portrays John Economos, the warden of the Belle Reve penitentiary and an aide to Waller.[46][47] Other aides to Waller include Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt and Tinashe Kajese as Flo Crawley.[46][48] Also appearing in the film are Juan Diego Botto as Silvio Luna, the dictator of Corto Maltese who tries to woo Harley Quinn;[40] Joaquín Cosío as Mateo Suárez, the Major General of Corto Maltese;[40] Storm Reid as Bloodsport's daughter Tyla;[27] and Julio Ruiz as Milton, an associate of Task Force X.[49][50] Lynne Ashe appears as Polka-Dot Man's Mom.[51] In addition to Weasel, Sean Gunn also portrays Calendar Man, one of several DC Comics villains that appear as Belle Reve inmates. Others include Natalia Safran as Kaleidoscope and Jared Leland Gore as Double Down.[52] John Ostrander, creator of the 1980s Suicide Squad team that influenced the film, makes a cameo appearance as Dr. Fitzgibbon,[27][53] while Stephen Blackehart has a small role as the pilot Briscoe,[54] and both Lloyd Kaufman and Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 collaborator Pom Klementieff appear as dancers in a nightclub.[40]
Production
Development
A sequel to Suicide Squad (2016) was expected in March 2016, before the first film's release that August, with director David Ayer and star Will Smith expected to return for a 2017 filming start after completing their work on Bright (2017).[55] The following month, Ayer said the first film was rated PG-13 because it had originally been envisioned that way by the studio, and an R-rating needs to be planned from the start of a production. He said that it would be worth "lobbying" to make a sequel R-rated, as he felt the first film had the "edge" and "attitude" of an R-rated film already.[56] Suicide Squad was released to a polarized response and was reported to have a difficult production, but the film grossed enough for Warner Bros. Pictures to fast-track development of a sequel.[57][58] In December, several spin-off films were also in development, including one featuring Smith as Deadshot. The project that was furthest along was Gotham City Sirens, with Margot Robbie planned to star as Harley Quinn. At that time, Ayer was set to direct and produce that film.[57]
Warner Bros. began searching for a new director for Suicide Squad 2, and were courting Mel Gibson by mid-February 2017.[58] Ruben Fleischer, Daniel Espinosa, Jonathan Levine, and David S. Goyer were also considered.[59][60] Adam Cozad entered negotiations to write the film a month later, at which point there was still no director attached to the project. It was described as being a priority for Warner Bros.[61] Script delays led to the planned filming start being pushed to mid-2018, at which point Gibson moved on from the project. Jaume Collet-Serra became the new frontrunner to direct in early July,[62] by which time Zak Penn had pitched a new story treatment for the film to Warner Bros.,[63] and both Smith and Robbie were set to reprise their roles.[62] Penn wrote a draft of a new screenplay for the film as a favor to the studio.[63][64] Later in July, Collet-Serra was hired to direct Disney's Jungle Cruise (2021) and withdrew from directing Suicide Squad 2 after deciding he would rather originate a new story than continue an existing franchise.[65]
In August, Jared Leto was expected to reprise his role as the Joker from the first film,[66] while production was not expected to begin until Smith completed his work on Aladdin (2019) and Gemini Man (2019) in late 2018.[67] The next month, Gavin O'Connor was chosen to direct the film and co-write it with his writing partner Anthony Tambakis, based on his own vision.[68][69] The character Black Adam was reportedly the main villain of O'Connor's script, with Dwayne Johnson already attached to that role for DC Films.[70][71] Michael De Luca joined the film as a producer in January 2018, working with the first film's producer Charles Roven.[72] David Bar Katz and Todd Stashwick were co-writing the film with O'Connor in June,[73] and they had completed their draft by that September.[74] By early October, O'Connor left the film to focus on The Way Back (2020). This was reportedly out of frustration that Warner Bros. was already moving ahead with Birds of Prey (2020), a new Harley Quinn spin-off with a very similar story to the one he wrote for Suicide Squad 2.[75] By then, Joe Manganiello had been attached to four or five planned versions of the film, with his Justice League (2017) character Deathstroke fighting Deadshot, but these plans were never brought to fruition.[76][77]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/James_Gunn_%2828557194032%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/170px-James_Gunn_%2828557194032%29_%28cropped%29.jpg)
In October 2018, James Gunn was hired to write and possibly direct the next Suicide Squad film.[78] His deal with Warner Bros. closed following the completion of his exit settlement with The Walt Disney Company, after he was dismissed by Disney and Marvel Studios as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) in July 2018 when conservative commentators began circulating old controversial tweets he had made.[79] Warner Bros. had been interested in recruiting Gunn for the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) immediately after his dismissal by Disney,[80] and asked him to make a new Superman film.[9][81] Gunn was uncertain if he wanted to take on Superman, so Warner Bros. told him that he could adapt any DC property he liked. He chose to make a Suicide Squad film, recalling that it was the one DC property he dreamed of adapting and had been jealous when Ayer's Suicide Squad film performed well.[9] Ayer supported Gunn's hiring as a "brave and smart move" and called him "the right man for the job". Dave Bautista, who starred in the Guardians of the Galaxy films for Gunn, expressed interest in appearing in his Suicide Squad film.[82]
The day after he was hired by Warner Bros., Disney decided to reinstate Gunn as director of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He discussed his new DCEU commitment with Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, who encouraged him to "make a great movie" and agreed to delay production on Guardians until Gunn had completed work on the Suicide Squad sequel.[83] In January 2019, the film was officially titled The Suicide Squad and was scheduled for release on August 6, 2021.[84] The title was suggested by Gunn as a joke, but executives at Warner Bros. liked it.[85] At that time, Gunn was in negotiations to direct the film, which was described as a relaunch rather than a direct sequel that would take the franchise in a new direction and feature a largely new cast. Roven and Peter Safran were set as producers, with Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder as executive producers.[86] Safran had pushed for Gunn to take on the project, feeling that there was no better director than him to "bring together a disparate group of outsiders on a mission".[87]
Pre-production
We really wanted to make sure that this stands on its own two feet. So... it's not a sequel, but there are some characters that were in the first movie, right? So it's not really a full reboot either. So we just call it James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
—Producer Peter Safran on the relationship between The Suicide Squad and the first Suicide Squad film[87]
One of the first things Gunn did when discussing the film with Warner Bros. was watch Suicide Squad for the first time. The studio said he could take or leave any elements he wanted from the first film, but they hoped that he would bring back Robbie as Harley Quinn.[28] When asked whether his film would be a sequel or a reboot, Gunn described it as "its own thing" and said it would not contradict the first Suicide Squad.[9][88] Safran added that The Suicide Squad would not explicitly address the events of the first film or Birds of Prey.[89] Gunn acknowledged the first film's negative reception, but said there were aspects of it that he loved and defended Ayer's casting choices;[9][88] the first decision Gunn made on the new film was to bring back Robbie as well as Viola Davis as Amanda Waller.[9][90]
Gunn quickly produced several drafts of the script that Warner Bros. was "extremely high" on.[91] He took inspiration from John Ostrander's original 1980s run on the Suicide Squad comics, but described his script as more of a sequel in the same spirit as those comics rather than an adaptation.[27] He was drawn to Ostrander's take because it was about a "bunch of loser, B-grade supervillains", and felt encouraged to find the best characters for his story even if "a lot of them are losers".[12] Gunn noted that one of the main differences between this film and the Guardians of the Galaxy films was that it would be unclear whether some Suicide Squad members would turn out to be good or bad in the film, unlike the Guardians of the Galaxy who are portrayed as heroes despite their flaws.[88] Gunn told Warner Bros. that he would only direct the film if it was R-rated, which the studio initially "balked" at but ultimately agreed to.[34] Safran called The Suicide Squad a "gritty 1970s war movie combined with the brilliance of James Gunn's characters and comedy",[21] while Gunn said it was the superhero version of The Dirty Dozen (1967).[27] Gunn also cited The Great Escape (1963), Where Eagles Dare (1968), and Kelly's Heroes (1970) as influences.[9][92]
On February 27, 2019, Smith was revealed to no longer be in the film's cast due to scheduling issues,[93] with filming set to begin in Atlanta, Georgia, that September.[94] On March 1, Gunn met with Idris Elba to discuss him joining the film, reportedly as a replacement for Smith as Deadshot. Elba was Gunn's only choice for the role,[91] and he wrote the script with Elba in mind—something Gunn rarely does for actors he has not met.[14] Elba agreed to join the film during that conversation,[13] as he wanted to work with Gunn and felt "so touched and honored that someone of [Gunn's] talent was really keen to work with" him.[95] Elba was in official negotiations the next week. Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flag was expected to return from the first film at that point, though Gunn's script mostly featured DC Comics characters who were not in Suicide Squad.[91] Later that month, Jai Courtney revealed that he was returning as Captain Boomerang from the first film, and said The Suicide Squad would be fun but different from the previous version.[37] In April, Davis was confirmed to be returning,[96] and the film's creative team decided that Elba would play a new character rather than Deadshot. This decision was made, following weeks of discussions that included Gunn and Elba, to be respectful to Smith and allow him the option to return to the role in the future.[13] Elba later stated that Gunn never intended to cast him as Deadshot.[95]
The first new character that Gunn added to the Suicide Squad roster was King Shark,[90] who was intended to appear in the first film before being replaced by Killer Croc.[97] Gunn sought to feature an animal on the team, and chose King Shark because he enjoyed the concept of a man-eating fish-human hybrid.[90] Gunn wrote the character with Sylvester Stallone in mind,[98][90] but tested three other voice actors before asking Stallone to join the film.[99] Stallone agreed to voice the character due to his experience working with Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017).[90][19][20] Other new characters that Gunn added include Polka-Dot Man, Peacemaker, and a female version of Ratcatcher. Gunn was looking to cast Bautista as Peacemaker,[100] but the actor had a scheduling conflict with Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead (2021).[101][102] John Cena entered talks for a role in the film that was believed to be Peacemaker in late April,[101][103] as Gunn had wanted to work with Cena since seeing his performance in Trainwreck (2015) and had been looking for the right role for a while.[104] Cena made numerous unsuccessful attempts to join the DCEU prior to his casting in this film.[16] David Dastmalchian and Daniela Melchior were respectively cast as Polka-Dot Man and Ratcatcher 2.[105][106] Melchior was cast from 200 actors,[107] and did a chemistry test with live rats since her character controls rats in the film.[95] Storm Reid was cast as the daughter of Elba's character in July 2019,[108] with Flula Borg, Nathan Fillion, and Steve Agee joining the film in August.[109][110][111] Fillion and Agee both had roles in some of Gunn's previous films,[110][111] and Agee was initially believed to be portraying King Shark.[111] Also in August, Taika Waititi entered negotiations for a role.[112] Peter Capaldi joined the cast in early September, when Pete Davidson was in talks to make a cameo appearance during a break from his work on Saturday Night Live.[113]
A table read for the film with the full cast was held on September 11, ahead of the start of filming later that month.[112] Gunn later announced the film's full main cast and characters: Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man, Cena as Peacemaker, Courtney as Captain Boomerang, Joaquín Cosío as Suarez, Fillion as T.D.K., Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Mayling Ng as Mongal, Borg as Javelin, his brother Sean Gunn as Weasel, Juan Diego Botto as Silvio Luna, Reid as Tyla, Davidson as Blackguard, Waititi as the first Ratcatcher, Alice Braga as Sol Soria, Agee, Tinashe Kajese as Flo Crawley, Melchior as Ratcatcher 2, Capaldi as Thinker, Julio Ruiz as Milton, his girlfriend Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt, Davis as Waller, Elba as Bloodsport, Robbie as Quinn, and his frequent collaborator Michael Rooker as Savant.[34][49][7][27][46][50][48] Agee was the on-set reference for King Shark,[21] and also portrays John Economos, the warden of the Belle Reve penitentiary.[47] Other characters considered for the film include Sportsmaster,[114] Dogwelder,[115] Bat-Mite,[27] Livewire, Punch and Jewelee, Black Spider, Deathstroke, Man-Bat, Plastique, Chemo, KGBeast, Solomon Grundy, Rainbow Creature, Gunhawk, Knockout, Killer Frost, Mr. Freeze,[116][117][118] and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II's Black Manta from Aquaman (2018), but Gunn felt that the characters he decided to use all worked the best for this film's plot.[119] He did not consider using the Joker because he felt Amanda Waller would not have any use for the character,[120] and chose not to use Kite Man because he felt the character was already a punchline in the comics and would not feel fresh for the film.[121] Gunn also avoided characters like Bronze Tiger and Katana since they are antiheros rather than villains.[122] He chose Starro as one of the main antagonists because he found that character to be ridiculous yet "fucking terrifying", which reflected what he was trying to accomplish with the film.[9] DC allowed Gunn to kill off any of the film's characters,[88] and he had to ignore potential backlash from killing characters to prioritize natural story and character progression.[9] Gunn's first draft originally had Polka-Dot Man surviving and Ratcatcher 2 dying, but he ultimately reversed the decision because he felt Polka-Dot Man's arc was "complete" by the time of his death whereas Ratcatcher's was not.[123] The Breakout scene for Harley Quinn was heavily inspired by Gunn's work on Lollipop Chainsaw, a game developed by Suda 51 and Grasshopper Manufacture, which was also distributed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Gunn used the game as a visual reference to create the colorful yet gory "Harley-vision" for the sequence.[124]
Filming
Principal photography began on September 20, 2019, at Pinewood Atlanta Studios in Atlanta, Georgia.[113][125] Henry Braham served as cinematographer, after previously doing so for Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.[126] Production designer Beth Mickle said Gunn wanted the film to be "grey and drab and monotone" until the characters arrive in Corto Maltese, which he wanted to "explode with color" like Panama and Havana. Mickle took specific inspiration for the island's color palette from Colón, Panama.[31] Feige and Marvel Studios co-president Louis D'Esposito visited the set during filming.[127] Gunn took several precautions to try to avoid details about the film leaking, such as referring to Elba's character in the script and on set as "Vigilante" to prevent his actual role from being revealed, and also not giving some of the actors script pages from after their character's deaths.[128]
Gunn said the film featured the biggest sets ever built for a Warner Bros.' film,[31] with Mickle building a set the size of three football fields for the outside of Jotunheim where the final battle was filmed.[129] A "warehouse-sized jungle" set was also built, featuring a bamboo cage that was 8 feet (2.4 m) deep.[92] Gunn also said the film used more practical effects than any other blockbuster comic book film, with on-set special effects provided by Dan Sudick and prosthetics created by Legacy Effects.[130] Gunn highlighted a shot in the film where King Shark, who is created with visual effects, rips a person in half, which was done practically using special effects and prosthetics.[23] Stunt supervisor Guy Norris served as second unit director for one scene in the film. Gunn explained that he rarely uses second unit directors on his films and has never liked working with them, but he enjoyed the experience of working with Norris.[131] Filming in Atlanta was expected to last three months before moving to Panama for a month.[132] Filming wrapped on February 28, 2020.[133]
Post-production
Fred Raskin and Christian Wagner served as editors on the film. Raskin previously worked alongside Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.[134] Kelvin McIlwain was the visual effects supervisor for the film, with visual effects vendors including Framestore, Weta Digital, Trixter, Scanline VFX, and Cantina Creative.[135] By April 2020, Gunn was editing the film at his home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said had not affected post-production or the release schedule at that time.[136] He felt the film was too long initially, and removed some elements such as more of Harley Quinn's separate storyline that he felt were "pushing audiences away a little bit too much".[107] The film ultimately came in under budget and had no days of additional photography.[137]
In December 2020, Gunn said editing for the film's final cut had been completed and work on the remaining visual effects, sound, and score was continuing.[138] The film had been fully finished by early February 2021, and Gunn said Warner Bros. had not interfered with his vision for the film and had only given a few minor notes on it.[139] He added that The Suicide Squad was the most fun film he had made, which he attributed to prioritizing creativity over perfectionism, being in the best place mentally and emotionally of his career, having a "stupendous" cast and crew and supportive studio, and feeling that he was at the height of his directing abilities with the film.[140]
Music
In May 2020, John Murphy was set as the composer for the film.[141] Tyler Bates, who scored all of Gunn's previous films, was originally attached to compose the score for The Suicide Squad but eventually left the project. During pre-production, Bates wrote music for Gunn to use on set as he had previously done for Gunn on the Guardians of the Galaxy films.[142] The single "Rain" by grandson and Jessie Reyez from the film's soundtrack album was released on June 22, 2021, with the artists also expected to contribute songs individually to the album.[143] A single from Murphy's score, "So This Is The Famous Suicide Squad", was made available on July 8.[144]
Marketing
A behind-the-scenes featurette was released on August 22, 2020, during the virtual DC FanDome event.[145] A panel for the film was held during Comic Con Experience's digital event CCXP Worlds on December 6, with James Gunn and members of the cast in attendance. A design for Elba's costume as Bloodsport was revealed.[12]
The film's first trailer was released on March 26, 2021, with Alex McLevy of The A.V. Club praising its jokes and action. He felt everything about the trailer perfectly captured the Suicide Squad's inherent "outlandish fun" from the comics.[146] Anthony D'Alessandro at Deadline Hollywood felt the trailer had all the trademarks of Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy films, noting the use of a "retro hit single" in Steely Dan's "Dirty Work",[147] with The Verge's Jay Peters also getting "some serious Guardians of the Galaxy vibes" from the trailer.[20] D'Alessandro and Peters both compared it to the recently released DC film Zack Snyder's Justice League (2021) and noted how the trailer was much more colorful and humorous than that film.[147][20] McLevy, Jennifer Bisset and Sean Keane of CNET, and CinemaBlend's Sean O'Connell all highlighted King Shark and his R-rated scenes.[146][148][149] The trailer was viewed 150 million times within a week of its release, breaking the record for red band trailers that was previously held by the trailer for Mortal Kombat (2021).[150]
A green band trailer was released online on April Fool's Day, after debuting in front of theatrical screenings of Godzilla vs. Kong (2021). It features new footage, as Gunn did not just want to use a slightly edited version of the red band trailer as is usually done. Jennifer Ouellette at Ars Technica noted that the new trailer had a darker, more ominous tone than the red band version, without the jokes and King Shark scenes and with added character beats.[151] Another trailer was released on June 22 by the main cast of the film in a marketing stunt where they pretended that they were leaking the trailer early. Gunn and Warner Bros. also joked about the trailer's "early release".[152] The trailer features the song "Rain" by grandson and Jessie Reyez from the film's soundtrack album.[143]
Release
The Suicide Squad was released theatrically by Warner Bros. Pictures on July 30, 2021, in the United Kingdom,[153] and then on August 5, in the United States,[154] where it was also made available on the streaming service HBO Max for a month starting the same day. Warner Bros. announced the joint theatrical and streaming release in December 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[155]
Reception
Box office
As of August 29, 2021[update], The Suicide Squad has grossed $52.8 million in the United States and Canada, and $102.6 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $155.4 million.[3][4]
In the United States and Canada, it was projected to gross around $30 million from 4,002 theaters in its opening weekend, with some industry insiders estimating it could reach $40 million.[2][156] It made $12.2 million on its first day, including $4.1 million from Thursday night previews, the biggest total for an R-rated film during the pandemic and slightly topping Birds of Prey's $4 million. It went on to debut to $26.2 million,[157] topping the box office and marking the best R-rated opening since the start of the pandemic, but it was the second-lowest debut total of the DCEU franchise, only ahead of Wonder Woman 1984's $16.7 million opening weekend. The underperformance was blamed on the ongoing concerns over the COVID Delta variant; the simultaneous HBO Max release; the overall mixed reception of the DCEU; a lack of marquee stars and characters; and the confusion of whether the film was a sequel, spin-off, or reboot.[158][159][160][161][162]
The film fell 71.5% in the United States to $7.5 million in its sophomore weekend, finishing fifth.[163] The large drop was in-line with the likes of Space Jam: A New Legacy, another big-budget film available simultaneously on HBO Max.[164] In the third weekend it made $3.4 million, finishing sixth, then grossed $2 million in its fourth frame, falling to seventh.[165][166]
The week prior to its domestic release, the film made $6.7 million from five countries, including $4.7 million in the United Kingdom and $1.6 million in France.[167] The following weekend the film expanded to 69 countries, making $35 million. It finished first in Russia ($4.2 million), Mexico ($2 million), Brazil ($1.5 million), Spain ($1.3 million), and Italy ($1.1 million), while the 10-day running total was $10.8 million in the UK and $3.4 million in France.[168] It made $17 million in 70 overseas countries in its sophomore weekend, dropping by 50%. In Brazil, it retained its first position during the second weekend, with its earnings dropping by 22% and resulting in an overall gross of around 3 million.[169] It earned $8.7 million during the weekend of August 20–22, 2021, in 73 countries.[170] During the weekend of August 27–29, it earned $4.3 million.[171]
Streaming viewership
Samba TV reported 2.8 million US households streamed the film over its first four days of release on HBO Max, the second-largest total of a day-and-date title on the platform behind Mortal Kombat (3.8 million).[158] Around 4 million households had watched the film in its first 10 days of release, again earning the second-largest total for a day-and-date title behind Mortal Kombat (around 5 million).[172] Over its first 17 days of release the film was streamed by 4.7 million households, the third most-streamed film on the platform behind Godzilla vs. Kong (5.1 million) and Mortal Kombat (5.5 million).[173]
Critical response
On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 91% of 335 critics have given the film a positive review, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Enlivened by writer-director James Gunn's singularly skewed vision, The Suicide Squad marks a funny, fast-paced rebound that plays to the source material's violent, anarchic strengths."[174] On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 72 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[175] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, the same score as the first film, while PostTrak reported 83% of audience members gave it a positive score, with 62% saying they would definitely recommend it.[159]
Reviewing for The A.V. Club, Katie Rife gave the film a "B+" grade and said, "Now that superhero movies have gone from disreputable entertainment for children to global events ushered in with awed reverence, it was time for someone to come along and pop the balloon. Pulpy and outrageous, irreverent and ultraviolent, The Suicide Squad does so with a smile."[176] Writing for Variety, Owen Gleiberman called the film what "the first Suicide Squad should have been" and said that "The Suicide Squad comes sizzlingly alive as all-cylinders comic-book moviemaking. There's a frowsy destructive joy to the staging."[177] Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent also praised the film and considered it an improvement over Suicide Squad, writing "Gunn’s distinct and self-assured vision, which he’s said was left untouched and unbothered by studio interference, puts The Suicide Squad alongside the very best of modern comic-book filmmaking. His film, which now comes with an all-important 'The' at the beginning of its title, functions both as a sequel and a fresh start."[178] Brian Truitt of USA Today gave the film 3.5 stars out of 4 and said "The Suicide Squad shifts superhero movies into a hilarious, gory and exceedingly bonkers new direction but writer/director James Gunn still makes time to show one goofy supervillain making sure another's buckled up for a plane ride headed for certain doom" and also said that the film "is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre."[179] Justin Chang from Los Angeles Times stated: "After 2016's ugly, bludgeoning Suicide Squad, I couldn't imagine liking - and could barely stomach the idea of seeing - another movie called Suicide Squad. I'm delighted to be proven wrong", and called the film "redemption for James Gunn and DC".[180] Richard Trenholm of CNET gave the film a positive review and praised it for its themes, writing "This irreverent comic book movie takes shots at very big and serious themes, raging against Western imperialism, American foreign policy and government deception as it indicts interference in foreign countries. Representing this chilling bureaucratic evil, Amanda Waller emerges as perhaps the most hateful villain in the DC universe — certainly the coldest."[181]
Alonso Duralde of the TheWrap wrote: "The Suicide Squad is by no means perfect, but like the Deadpool movies, it's a showcase for what can happen when a superhero movie is allowed to be sprightly, self-aware, and sardonic while also indulging in hard-R violence, gore, and language. Gunn's latest creation is not without moments that drag, but when it pops, it pops brilliantly."[182] Entertainment Weekly's Leah Greenblatt gave the film a C+ grade and wrote: "The script, accordingly, herks and jerks along with a sort of forced-festive glee, its mounting body count buffeted by goofball banter and pounding soundtrack cues. A good half of the jokes don't land, but unlike his predecessor's joyless slog, Gunn's version at least celebrates the nonsense."[183] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian gave the film 3 out of 5 stars, and called it "a long, loud, often enjoyable and amusing film that blitzes your eyeballs and eardrums and covers all the bases."[184]
Accolades
Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Golden Trailer Awards | July 22, 2021 | Best Summer 2021 Blockbuster Trailer | "No Problemo", Warner Bros. | Nominated | [185] |
Best Summer 2021 Blockbuster Trailer | "Rebellion", Warner Bros. | Nominated |
Future
Peacemaker
While completing work on The Suicide Squad during the COVID-19 pandemic, Gunn began writing a spin-off television series centered on Peacemaker.[186] In September 2020, HBO Max ordered Peacemaker straight-to-series, with Gunn writing all eight episodes and directing several of them. Cena stars as Peacemaker,[187] with Agee and Holland also reprising their respective film roles.[47][48] Gunn and Safran executive produce the series,[187] which is set to debut in January 2022.[188]
Other
In January 2021, Gunn said he had ideas for more television spin-offs beyond Peacemaker.[189] That July, he said that he had ideas for a sequel film that would go in a different direction from just assembling a new Suicide Squad team.[34] DC Films president Walter Hamada said a month later that they had plans for more projects with Gunn.[137]
References
- ^ "The Suicide Squad". British Board of Film Classification. Archived from the original on July 31, 2021. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
- ^ a b Rubin, Rebecca (August 4, 2021). "Box Office: 'The Suicide Squad' Targets $30 Million-Plus Opening Weekend". Variety. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Suicide Squad". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Suicide Squad". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ Pallotta, Frank (August 8, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' underperformed at the box office. Here's why". CNN. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; August 8, 2021 suggested (help) - ^ Mendelson, Scott (August 8, 2021). "10 Reasons Why 'The Suicide Squad' Is A Box Office Disaster". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; August 20, 2021 suggested (help) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j Vary, Adam B. (August 22, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' First Look, Full Cast Revealed by Director James Gunn at DC FanDome". Variety. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020.
- ^ Libbey, Dirk (August 21, 2020). "Margot Robbie Explains How Harley Quinn Is Different In The Suicide Squad". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Crow, David (April 27, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: James Gunn Talks the Creative Freedom of That R-Rating". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Schedeen, Jesse (June 25, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: Exclusive Trailer Breakdown With Director James Gunn". IGN. Archived from the original on June 27, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ Meyer, Joshua (June 29, 2021). "Here's Why Harley Quinn's Face Tattoo Was Removed for 'The Suicide Squad'". /Film. Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Bonomolo, Cameron (December 6, 2020). "The Suicide Squad Reveals New Look at Idris Elba's Badass and Brutal Bloodsport". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (April 5, 2019). "'The Suicide Squad': Deadshot Removed from Sequel as Idris Elba Moves to New Character (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 6, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ a b Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (September 6, 2020). "I rarely write roles for actors I've never met, but I did exactly that for @idriselba in #TheSuicideSquad & couldn't be happier I did – you went beyond my expectations as an actor AND as a human being. I can't wait for folks to see you as #Bloodsport. Happy Birthday, my friend!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 6, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 12, 2021). "King Shark - Nanaue, TDK - Cory Pitzner, Peacemaker - Christopher Smith, Mongal - Mongal, Weasel - Unknown, Captain Boomerang - Digger Harkness" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Harley, Nick (April 27, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: John Cena and the Secrets of Peacemaker". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
- ^ Clarke, Cass (January 25, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Isn't a Sequel - But It's Not Quite a Reboot". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ a b Hickson, Colin (October 29, 2020). "James Gunn's The Suicide Squad Involves Nazi Prisons and Experiments". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ a b Haring, Bruce (November 14, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' Adds Sylvester Stallone To Its Lineup, Confirmed By James Gunn On Instagram". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 14, 2020. Retrieved November 14, 2020.
- ^ a b c d Peters, Jay (March 26, 2021). "The Suicide Squad's first trailer steals all the color from the Snyder Cut". The Verge. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c Beasley, Tom (August 22, 2020). "James Gunn unveils 'The Suicide Squad' character list". Yahoo! Movies UK. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 27, 2021). "I love that design & the Harley Quinn show & @RonFunches version, but it was a complete coincidence as we were shooting a year before they debuted. @TheSlyStallone's version (developed by @steveagee on set) is very different" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 27, 2021). "One final King Shark bit of trivia from #TheSuicideSquad. In this bit of footage, the Shark is CG of course, but the person is real. Well, not a real person, but a practical effect by our SFX & prosthetics teams that I shot" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 27, 2021). "I did tests with the hammerhead design, which I love & originally thought I'd use. But having eyes on the sides far apart made it incredibly awkward shooting interactions with other people. You couldn't really see him looking at the other person & the shots tended to be too wide" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 27, 2021). "But I was insistent on the dad-bod from the beginning as I didn't think King Shark would have such mammalian body structure" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 27, 2021). "Yes, I realize he's cute: strange since we actively avoided neotenic designs used on cute anthropomorphic beasts to elicit that evolutionary "awww." Think Baby Groot/Yoda. His eyes are small, not big. His mouth is big, not small. And his head is tiny" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Anderton, Ethan (August 22, 2020). "The Suicide Squad DC FanDome Panel Recap: Meet the Bad Guys". /Film. Archived from the original on August 24, 2020. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
- ^ a b Itzkoff, Dave (July 14, 2021). "James Gunn Nearly Blew Up His Career. Now He's Back With 'The Suicide Squad'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (April 3, 2021). "We haven't even begun to show you the truth behind Abner Krill - I can't wait for you to discover his many dark & sad secrets. #TheSuicideSquad #PolkaDotMan @Dastmalchian" (Tweet). Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Kurp, Josh (July 16, 2021). "It's Time To Meet King Shark, Ratcatcher 2, And The Rest Of 'The Suicide Squad' Weirdos In A New Featurette". Uproxx. Archived from the original on July 17, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Edwards, Richard (July 1, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: Everything we learnt from the set of 2021's most exciting superhero movie". Total Film. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 2, 2021.
- ^ Holland, Patrick (August 5, 2021). "The Suicide Squad's David Dastmalchian has a very personal connection to Polka Dot Man". CNET. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 4, 2021). "[In response to "Ratcatchers name is Clio Cazo?!!"] No. It's Cleo Cazo" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e Collis, Clark (July 12, 2021). "This time it's war: How James Gunn took 'The Suicide Squad' over the top". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 12, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ a b Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 12, 2021). "Quick guide to #TheSuicideSquad members: Javelin - Gunter Braun, Bloodsport - Robert Dubois, Ratcatcher 2 - Cleo Cazo, Polka-Dot Man - Abner Krill, Blackguard - Richard Hertz, Savant - Brian Durlin, The Thinker - Gaius Grieves, Harley Quinn - Harleen Quinzel" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Michel, Katie (August 8, 2021). "Who is Javelin? Flula Borg's Suicide Squad Character Explained". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ a b Guerrasio, Jason (March 30, 2019). "Jai Courtney says he will be back playing Captain Boomerang in the James Gunn 'Suicide Squad' movie". Business Insider. Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; March 29, 2019 suggested (help) - ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (September 23, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad': Captain Boomerang Is the "Same Shitbag Liability," Says Jai Courtney". Collider. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 4, 2021). "[In response to "Is it true the Thinker's real name is Gaius Grieves?"] Yes" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 5, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e Mithaiwala, Mansoor (August 5, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Cast, Character & DC Cameo Guide". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Gillespie, Daniel (April 7, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: Pete Davidson Took His Role Because Of The Character's Crude Name". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; April 7, 2021 suggested (help) - ^ Parker, Ryan (April 1, 2021). "New 'Suicide Squad' Trailer Confirms Nathan Fillion Playing Arm-Fall-Off-Boy". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ Schaeffer, Sandy (April 2, 2021). "The Suicide Squad's Weasel Was Inspired by Bloom County's Bill the Cat". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ Brooks, Nicholas (April 1, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Reveals One New Villain Is Truly Evil". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on April 1, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Collis, Clark (July 14, 2021). "One of the rodent performers in 'The Suicide Squad' was named Crisp Ratt". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 14, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (August 22, 2020). "Amanda Waller (played by @violadavis), John Economos (played by @steveagee) & Flo Crawley (played by Tinashe Kajese – not revealed in today's materials – well until now) – are all from those books" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 22, 2020. Retrieved August 22, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 29, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' HBO Max Spinoff Series 'Peacemaker' Adds Steve Agee". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 11, 2020). "'Peacemaker': Robert Patrick, Jennifer Holland & Chris Conrad Also Join HBO Max 'Suicide Squad' Spinoff Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Hibberd, James (September 13, 2019). "James Gunn reveals all 24 actors cast for The Suicide Squad". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on September 13, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; September 18, 2019 suggested (help) - ^ a b Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 26, 2021). "Oh, that? That's Milton" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "The Suicide Squad: Exclusive Interview with Polka-Dot Man's Mom, Actor Lynne Ashe". August 11, 2021.
- ^ Dick, Jeremy (July 15, 2021). "Sean Gunn Is Calendar Man in New The Suicide Squad Character Trailer". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (October 29, 2020). "Good eye, Justin! Yes, John Ostrander – the creator of the late '80's Squad in the comics – who just happens to have started in the entertainment industry as an actor (he's really good!) – plays Dr. Fitzgibbon in the #TheSuicideSquad" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Blackehart, Stephen [@blackehart] (May 24, 2021). "@jamesgunn let the cat out of the bag today. It's a small role, but I'm playing this guy, Briscoe (the pilot), in #TheSuicideSquad. I had a blast hanging out with all the cool characters on the set". Retrieved June 27, 2021 – via Instagram.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Kroll, Justin (March 2, 2016). "Will Smith, David Ayer Reteaming on Max Landis Spec 'Bright'". Variety. Archived from the original on September 29, 2016. Retrieved March 5, 2016.
- ^ Bell, Crystal (April 14, 2016). "Suicide Squad Director David Ayer Wants to Make an R-Rated Sequel Happen". MTV. Archived from the original on July 23, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ a b Kit, Borys (December 13, 2016). "David Ayer, Margot Robbie Reteam for All-Female DC Villains Movie 'Gotham City Sirens' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ a b Kit, Borys (February 15, 2017). "Warner Bros. Courts Mel Gibson to Direct 'Suicide Squad' Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (February 15, 2017). "Suicide Squad 2: Mel Gibson, Jonathan Levine, Ruben Fleischer Among Directors Being Considered for Sequel". Variety. Archived from the original on February 16, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ Goldberg, Matt (March 17, 2017). "Rumor: David Goyer Could Direct Suicide Squad 2 or Green Lantern Corps". Collider. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ Kit, Borys (March 15, 2017). "'Suicide Squad 2' Lands 'Legend of Tarzan' Writer (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 9, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 11, 2017). "Jaume Collet-Serra Frontrunner For 'Suicide Squad' Sequel". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 12, 2017. Retrieved July 12, 2017.
- ^ a b Kit, Borys (July 11, 2017). "'Suicide Squad 2': 'The Shallows' Helmer Frontrunner to Direct". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Deckelmeir, Joe (March 13, 2018). "Exclusive: Zak Penn Wants To Expand The Matrix Universe". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on March 19, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 31, 2017). "Jaume Collet-Serra To Direct Dwayne Johnson In 'Jungle Cruise:' No 'Suicide Squad 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (August 22, 2017). "The Joker Origin Story On Deck: Todd Phillips, Scott Silver, Martin Scorsese Aboard WB/DC Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
- ^ Kroll, Justin [@krolljvar] (August 29, 2017). "So hearing at the earliest, Suicide Squad 2 won't go in to production until fall 2018 because of Smith's schedule with Aladdin and Gemini" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 29, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017 – via Twitter.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (September 6, 2017). "Gavin O'Connor To Direct 'Suicide Squad 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (September 6, 2017). "'Suicide Squad 2': Gavin O'Connor to Write and Direct Sequel". Variety. Archived from the original on September 7, 2017. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (November 7, 2017). "How 'Suicide Squad 2' May Introduce The Rock's Black Adam (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 15, 2018.
- ^ Hood, Cooper (October 31, 2020). "Early Suicide Squad 2 Story Had Black Adam As Villain". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (January 11, 2018). "Suicide Squad 2: Michael De Luca Joins Charles Roven on Producer Team". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2018. Retrieved October 15, 2019.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (June 8, 2018). "'Suicide Squad' Sequel Gets New Writers". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 10, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ^ Fisher, Jacob (September 15, 2018). "Todd Stashwick Talks '12 Monkeys', 'Kim Possible', 'Suicide Squad 2 & More. (Exclusive)". Discussing Film. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ Santangelo, Nick (October 9, 2018). "Birds of Prey Reportedly Why Suicide Squad 2 Lost Its Latest Director". IGN. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ Coach, Aaron (March 10, 2021). "How Joe Manganiello's 'Deathstroke' Ideas Seeped Into 'Zack Snyder's Justice League'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; March 11, 2021 suggested (help) - ^ Breznican, Anthony (March 12, 2021). "Justice League: The Untold Story of Cyborg and Deathstroke". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on March 12, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 9, 2018). "James Gunn Boards 'Suicide Squad 2' To Write And Possibly Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (July 20, 2018). "James Gunn Fired as Director of 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 8, 2018). "James Gunn in Demand for Major Studio Movies After Disney Firing". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 9, 2018. Retrieved August 10, 2018.
- ^ Kaye, Don (February 4, 2019). "Report: Before The Suicide Squad, James Gunn was offered Superman". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ Butler, Mary Anne (October 9, 2018). "David Ayer, Dave Bautista Respond to James Gunn Suicide Squad 2 News". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
- ^ Travis, Ben (October 29, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: James Gunn Reconnected With Marvel One Day After Joining DC Movie". Empire Online. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 29, 2020.
- ^ Couch, Aaron; McClintock, Pamela (January 30, 2019). "'The Batman,' 'The Suicide Squad' Set 2021 Release Dates". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
- ^ Chichizola, Corey (June 15, 2020). "James Gunn Reveals Hilarious Story Behind The Suicide Squad's Title". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on July 18, 2020. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ Kit, Borys (January 30, 2019). "James Gunn in Talks to Direct 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ a b Mancuso, Vinnie (July 6, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Producer Explains How the Film Connects to 'Suicide Squad': "We Don't Address It"". Collider. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Travis, Ben (October 26, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: James Gunn On How It Relates To David Ayer's Film, And Why It's Different From Guardians – Exclusive Images". Empire. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ Davis, Brandon (July 6, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Producer Rules Out Connections To Previous Film". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Crow, David (May 11, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: King Shark Was First New Character James Gunn Added to Roster". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ a b c Kit, Borys (March 6, 2019). "Idris Elba in Talks to Replace Will Smith in 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 7, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ a b Mancuso, Vinnie (July 6, 2021). "James Gunn and 'The Suicide Cast' Break Down That Hard-R Rating: "Heads Will Absolutely Blow Up"". Collider. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (February 27, 2019). "Will Smith Exits 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 27, 2019). "Will Smith Will Not Return As Deadshot In James Gunn's 'Suicide Squad 2'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2019.
- ^ a b c Mullally, William (July 1, 2021). "Redemption Song: James Gunn, Idris Elba and company talk The Suicide Squad". Esquire Middle East. Archived from the original on July 1, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (April 5, 2019). "Viola Davis to Return as Amanda Waller in James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' (Exclusive)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
- ^ Foutch, Haleigh (July 29, 2016). "'Suicide Squad': David Ayer Reveals Which Fan-Favorite Villian Was Almost on the Squad". Collider. Archived from the original on July 30, 2016. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 27, 2021). ""I wrote this role for you in The Suicide Squad. It won't take too much of your time." "Oh yeah?" "Yeah. It's a big, kinda chubby, human-eating shark." Laughs. "Anything for you, brother." [Sylvester Stallone] #TheSuicideSquad" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ O'Connell, Sean (July 15, 2021). "Why King Shark Was A 'Very, Very Difficult' Suicide Squad Character To Create, Until Sylvester Stallone Helped". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on July 15, 2021. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; July 16, 2021 suggested (help) - ^ Sneider, Jeff (March 7, 2019). "'Suicide Squad 2' Exclusive: Meet the New Characters James Gunn Will Introduce in Sequel". Collider. Archived from the original on March 8, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ a b Stevens, Colin (April 17, 2019). "John Cena in Talks to Join Suicide Squad 2, Margot Robbie Returns as Harley Quinn". IGN. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
- ^ Hibberd, James (January 6, 2021). "Zack Snyder reveals a first look at his zombie heist Netflix movie Army of the Dead". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (April 17, 2019). "John Cena Eyed for Role in 'Suicide Squad' Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
- ^ Burlingame, Russ (February 23, 2021). "The Suicide Squad's James Gunn Reveals Why He Cast John Cena as Peacemaker". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (April 29, 2019). "James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' Casts 'Ant-Man' Actor David Dastmalchian (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 30, 2019. Retrieved April 29, 2019.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 30, 2019). "Newcomer Daniela Melchior Eyed for Ratcatcher Role in 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
- ^ a b Davids, Brian (August 5, 2021). "James Gunn on 'The Suicide Squad,' "Grounded" 'Peacemaker' and the Day Kevin Feige Came to Set". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Kit, Borys (July 10, 2019). "Storm Reid Joins Idris Elba in James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 10, 2019. Retrieved July 12, 2019.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 19, 2019). "'Pitch Perfect 2's Flula Borg Joins James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 25, 2019). "Nathan Fillion Boarding James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 25, 2019. Retrieved August 25, 2019.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 24, 2019). "Comedian Steve Agee Joining James Gunn's 'Suicide Squad' Gang". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 24, 2019. Retrieved August 24, 2019.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 27, 2019). "Taika Waititi In Talks For Role In James Gunn's 'Suicide Squad'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 3, 2019). "'Doctor Who's Peter Capaldi Joining James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'; Is 'SNL's Pete Davidson Next?". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ Anderson, Jenna (September 9, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: James Gunn Says He Considered Using Sportsmaster". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (August 30, 2020). "Dog Welder was considered of course. But, you know, being an animal lover, I'm not sure it's something I'd personally want to see expressed cinematically" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 3, 2021). "When I first considered taking the job of writing #TheSuicideSquad I kept a file folder of characters I was considering. Here are just a few (of many) that didn't make the cut (for now!)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 3, 2021). "Every character in #TheSuicideSquad was chosen for a purpose, great or small, and although I love many of these other characters, they didn't serve the story quite as well" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 3, 2021). "I am of course open to using them in the future. And there are many more wonderful @DCComics characters where these came from. See #TheSuicideSquad in theaters next month!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 3, 2021). "I considered Black Manta - @yahya is a great guy and great actor - but his power set wasn't helpful to my story" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (August 30, 2020). "I don't imagine Waller would have any use for him, which is why he's never been in the Suicide Squad comics" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (August 30, 2020). "I love Kite Man but he's been fucked with (and used as a punchline) so much in the comics – sometimes in wonderful ways – I didn't think it was the freshest way to go. But who knows what the future holds" (Tweet). Archived from the original on August 30, 2020. Retrieved September 1, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (July 3, 2021). "Yes, I considered him. But I was pretty much only using actual villains (other than Flag), so I ruled him out pretty early. Same reason I didn't use Katana" (Tweet). Archived from the original on July 3, 2021. Retrieved July 4, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Episode 26: The Suicide Squad with James Gunn".
- ^ @IGN (August 18, 2021). "James Gunn says he drew inspiration..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Schmidt, J.K. (September 20, 2019). "James Gunn Reveals The Suicide Squad Begins Filming". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 21, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2019.
- ^ @DiscussingFilm (July 7, 2019). "Cinematographer Henry Braham ('Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2', 'Maleficent: Mistress Of All Evil') has joined the crew for James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'. (Exclusive)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 10, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ Barnhardt, Adam (September 13, 2020). "James Gunn Says Kevin Feige Visited The Suicide Squad Set, Reassures Fans There's No Marvel and DC Feud". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (June 23, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Director James Gunn Went to Extreme Lengths to Keep Character Deaths a Secret on Set". /Film. Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
- ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 6, 2021). "What Is 'The Suicide Squad' Actually About? Jotunheim, Secret Nazi Fortresses, a Military Coup, and More". Collider. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (March 4, 2020). "CGI's important. But I used practical effects whenever possible with #TheSuicideSquad - including the biggest, most beautiful sets I've ever seen by Beth Mickle, real locations, real costumes by Judianna Makovsky, pyrotechnics by Dan Sudick, prosthetic effects by Legacy & more" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 4, 2020. Retrieved March 28, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (February 8, 2021). "I pick the 2nd unit directors. I didn't use a 2nd unit director on Vol 2, & very little on my other films. I never liked using them until working with my old friend Guy Norris on one scene in The Suicide Squad, an experience I enjoyed" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 9, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Davis, Brandon (September 13, 2019). "James Gunn's The Suicide Squad to Begin Filming in Atlanta, Head to Panama". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ Collis, Clark (February 28, 2020). "James Gunn announces shooting has wrapped on The Suicide Squad". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 29, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
- ^ Fisher, Jacob (September 15, 2019). "Fred Raskin Joins 'The Suicide Squad' (Exclusive)". DiscussingFilm. Archived from the original on September 16, 2019. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ Frei, Vincent (August 22, 2020). "The Suicide Squad". Art of VFX. Archived from the original on September 20, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2020.
- ^ Moreau, Jordan (April 12, 2020). "'Guardians of the Galaxy 3,' 'The Suicide Squad' Won't Be Delayed, Says James Gunn". Variety. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
- ^ a b Couch, Aaron (August 4, 2021). "Margot Robbie and 'The Suicide Squad' Team Reflect on Script "No One Could Pull" Off But James Gunn". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jenna (December 6, 2020). "The Suicide Squad: James Gunn Says the Movie Is Almost Finished". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on December 7, 2020. Retrieved December 7, 2020.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; December 8, 2020 suggested (help) - ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (February 5, 2021). "#TheSuicideSquad is fully finished and cut and I made every single choice and they never once even slightly interfered. They gave very few notes - they were usually good and minor and I took them if I wanted to and didn't if I didn't want to. Warners was creatively amazing" (Tweet). Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021 – via Twitter.
- ^ Warner, Sam (January 29, 2021). "Marvel and DC's James Gunn reveals his favourite ever movie to direct". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
- ^ Pearson, Ben (May 7, 2020). "Exclusive: 'The Suicide Squad' Score to Be Composed By John Murphy". /Film. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
- ^ "John Murphy to Score James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad'". Film Music Reporter. May 7, 2020. Archived from the original on May 8, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Carter, Josh (June 22, 2021). "grandson and Jessie Reyez team up on "Rain" for 'The Suicide Squad'–listen". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ^ Malhotra, Rahul (July 9, 2021). "James Gunn Reveals Playlist of Songs He Almost Used for 'The Suicide Squad'". Collider. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ Elderkin, Beth (August 22, 2020). "Your Explosive First Look at James Gunn's The Suicide Squad Is Here". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on August 22, 2020.
{{cite web}}
:|archive-date=
/|archive-url=
timestamp mismatch; August 24, 2020 suggested (help) - ^ a b McLevy, Alex (March 27, 2021). "The trailer for James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is finally here". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 26, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Trailer: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena & More In A Ton Of James Gunn Fun". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ Bisset, Jennifer; Keane, Sean (March 26, 2021). "The Suicide Squad trailer is here, and the film looks wonderfully bonkers". CNET. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ O'Connell, Sean (March 26, 2021). "James Gunn's The Suicide Squad Trailer Has A Crazy Harley Quinn And King Shark Ripping A Man In Half". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.
- ^ El-Mahmoud, Sarah (April 3, 2021). "James Gunn's The Suicide Squad Has Broken A Huge Trailer Record". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on April 3, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ Ouellette, Jennifer (April 2, 2021). "Not an April Fool's joke: Theatrical trailer for The Suicide Squad drops". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ Ferme, Antonio (June 22, 2021). "New 'Suicide Squad' Trailer Leaks Online Early". Variety. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved June 22, 2021.
- ^ Alexander, Susannah (May 11, 2021). "The Suicide Squad lands earlier release date in the UK". Digital Spy. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
- ^ Melendez, Marcos (July 9, 2021). "New 'The Suicide Squad' Poster and Early Preview Screening Date Revealed by James Gunn". Collider. Archived from the original on July 10, 2021. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca; Donnelly, Matt (December 3, 2020). "Warner Bros. to Debut Entire 2021 Film Slate, Including 'Dune' and 'Matrix 4,' Both on HBO Max and In Theaters". Variety. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Tartaglione, Nancy (August 4, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' To Battle Global Pandemic & Dynamic Windows As James Gunn DC Pic Aims For $70M WW Weekend". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 4, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ "Domestic 2021 Weekend 32". Box Office Mojo.
- ^ a b Mendelson, Scott (August 8, 2021). "10 Reasons Why 'The Suicide Squad' Is A Box Office Disaster". Forbes. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ a b D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 8, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Posts Best R-Rated Opening During Pandemic With $26.5M, But Worst For Franchise: Here's Why". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 6, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
- ^ Ames, Jeff (August 9, 2021). "The Suicide Squad's Slow Box Office Start Can't Be Blamed on One Issue". Comingsoon.net. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ Rubin, Rebecca (August 9, 2021). "Why 'The Suicide Squad' Stumbled at the Box Office". Variety. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Whitten, Sarah (August 9, 2021). "The Covid delta variant isn't the only reason 'The Suicide Squad' underperformed at the box office". CNBC. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Domestic 2021 Weekend 33". Box Office Mojo.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 15, 2021). "How Ryan Reynolds & Shawn Levy's 'Free Guy' Triumphed At The Weekend Pandemic B.O. With A Great $28M+". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 22, 2021). "'Free Guy' Posts Best Summer Second Weekend Hold During Pandemic; 'Paw Patrol' Arrests $13M – Sunday Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 29, 2021). "'Candyman' Makes The Box Office Taste Good With $22M+ Opening". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 29, 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (August 1, 2021). "'Jungle Cruise' Sets Sail With $62M Global Theatrical, Faces Choppy Overseas Waters; 'Suicide Squad' Slays $7M In Early Debut – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 3, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (August 8, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Misses Mark At $72M Global; Overseas On Par With 'Birds Of Prey' As Covid Complications Continue – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 9, 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (August 15, 2021). "'Free Guy' Unleashes $51M Global Bow; 'The Suicide Squad' Marches To $118M WW; 'F9' Tops $500M Overseas – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (August 22, 2021). "'Free Guy' Banks $112M Global; 'Paw Patrol' Collars $35M; 'F9' & 'Quiet Place 2' Near Milestones – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 23, 2021.
- ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (August 29, 2021). "'Free Guy' Flies To $100M+ Overseas With China Assist, Global Now $180M – International Box Office". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
- ^ Mendelson, Scott (August 21, 2021). "'Free Guy' Tops Box Office With Excellent $5M Friday". Forbes. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 27, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Most Watched DC Film On HBO Max In Samba TV Households, But Trails 'Mortal Kombat'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 27, 2021.
- ^ "The Suicide Squad (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved September 2, 2021.
- ^ "The Suicide Squad Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ "The Suicide Squad is vulgar, immature, and gratuitous—and that's what's great about it". The A.V. Club. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Gleiberman, Owen (July 28, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Review: James Gunn Stages a Do-Over With Destructive Style". Variety. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ "DC's semi-sequel The Suicide Squad is a vast improvement on 2016's Suicide Squad – review". The Independent. July 29, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ Truitt, Brian. "Review: James Gunn's 'The Suicide Squad' is a bloody marvel that blows up the superhero genre". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ Chang, Justin (July 28, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' review: Redemption for James Gunn and DC". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ Trenholm, Richard. "The Suicide Squad review: A gory, glorious and deranged delight". CNET. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ Duralde, Alonso (July 28, 2021). "'The Suicide Squad' Film Review: Margot Robbie and a New Crew of Villains Face Certain Death with Quips on Their Lips". TheWrap. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ "The Suicide Squad review: James Gunn's do-over is goofier and bloodier than the original". Entertainment Weekly. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on July 28, 2021. Retrieved July 28, 2021.
- ^ "The Suicide Squad review – eyeball-blitzing supervillain reboot". The Guardian. July 28, 2021. Archived from the original on July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021.
- ^ Crist, Allison (July 6, 2021). "Golden Trailer Awards: 'Soul,' 'The Boys,' 'Borat Subsequent Moviefilm' Among Nominees (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
- ^ Gunn, James [@JamesGunn] (September 23, 2020). "I'm doing #Peacemaker in the time always allotted between #TheSuicideSquad & #GotGVol3. Normally I would have been taking more of a break in this space but it's Covid, I'm stuck at home, so I wrote a TV series" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b White, Peter (September 23, 2020). "'The Suicide Squad' TV Spinoff 'Peacemaker' Starring John Cena From James Gunn Ordered By HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 23, 2020. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (February 10, 2021). "HBO and HBO Max Chief Details 'Game of Thrones' Expansion Plans". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
- ^ Perine, Aaron (January 31, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Director James Gunn Has More Spinoff Ideas Beyond Peacemaker". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
External links
- 2021 films
- 2020s superhero films
- 2020s vigilante films
- 2021 action comedy films
- 2021 black comedy films
- 2021 science fiction action films
- American action comedy films
- American black comedy films
- American films
- American science fiction action films
- American science fiction comedy films
- American sequel films
- American superhero films
- American vigilante films
- Atlas Entertainment films
- DC Extended Universe films
- English-language films
- Films about coups d'état
- Films about extraterrestrial life
- Films about Latin American military dictatorships
- Films about mice and rats
- Films based on works by Paul Dini
- Films directed by James Gunn
- Films impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Films scored by John Murphy (composer)
- Films set in 2021
- Films set in a fictional country
- Films set on islands
- Films set in South America
- Films shot at Pinewood Atlanta Studios
- Films shot in Atlanta
- Films shot in Panama
- Films using motion capture
- Films with screenplays by James Gunn
- HBO Max films
- IMAX films
- Suicide Squad (film series)
- Superhero black comedy films
- Warner Bros. films
- Supervillain films