Exploring The DC Cinematic Universe: Suicide Squad

Suicide Squad 

Release Date: August 5th 2016

What is the Suicide Squad?: The Suicide Squad (created by John Ostrander and Ryan Scott) is an antihero team of incarcerated supervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. The group operates out of Belle Reve Penitentiary, under the directorship of Dr. Amanda Waller. (Thank you for explaining that so eloquently Wikipedia!)

Director: David Ayer (Fury)

Why?: Last month rumors of a David Ayer helmed Suicide Squad movie hit the internet. Immediately I became excited about the prospects of such a film. David Ayer is known for dark and gritty movies like End of Watch and Training Day. The man even created Denzel Washington's best character Alonzo Harris. That's right he wrote the line "King Kong ain't got shit on me!" and now he'll be directing some of DC's best villains. What's not to love about that? But on a more serious note, Ayer has recently worked on a more ensemble drama titled Fury about a tank crew in Nazi Germany. The flick and especially it's ensemble cast are getting rave reviews (I haven't seen it yet, but I have heard). Suicide Squad is completely dependent around a director who can lead an ensemble cast to an interesting dynamic and with his resume I think David Ayer fits the bill.

Proposed Story: Amanda Waller assembles Task Force X to retrieve the body of alien invader General Zod from Lexcorp. (Rumor is Lex has Zod's body and it will play a role in Batman V Superman)

Inspired By: Batman: Assault on Arkham includes several of the members I will suggest and is a fun heist movie while still remaining considerably dark. I feel that tone matches the Squad and it's members perfectly.

Squad Members (Cast): The Suicide Squad has had many different villains fill it's ranks over the years. Personally I think picking the Squad's roster is most important component of this movie. Ayer can't just throw absolute nobodies out there like Guardians of the Galaxy did. DC films haven't yet earn the credibility Marvel movies have so there is less room for error. Recently Latino Review's El Mayimbe released a list of 7 squad members he saw in one draft of a Squad script. Not gonna lie, the list is rough. (Mindblogger and Jaculi? Are you serious?) Yes it takes influence from the John Ostrander days and thats cool and all, but this movie needs more DC firepower. Especially because it is connected to the greater universe. Instead it could be a great time to introduce some high profile villains before they debut in other heroes' flicks. Then throw in a few low end villains that you can kill off because remember people always die on these missions. (Ain't called the Suicide Squad for nothing). I also decided to leave Rick Flag Jr. out of the mix. I prefer our villains to have a bit more freedom when they are on the mission and Rick brings more order to the crew. Finally, I incorporated actors who are rumored to be in talks to join the movie (Tom Hardy, Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Ryan Gosling) and used them to cast the main four roles. The I will provide a grab bag of other of my favorite potential members. 

1. Deadshot/Floyd Lawton (Gosling, Hardy, or Smith)

I've been leading this team all night ya douchbag!

Why?: Deadshot is a mainstay in the Squad and their most consistent leader. It ain't Task Force X without him. He will be the main character of this flick and is why I believe that the movie should use his origin that includes a daughter. This will make him a bit more sympathetic, but of course won't affect the fact that he is a badass hired assassin. 

          Now any of the actors above could knock this role out of the park. Some people believe Will Smith (Hancock) will be Floyd because he always plays the "good guy" and Deadshot is the closet thing to it in this movie. I think Smith would bring the character justice, but I would prefer Tom Hardy (Warrior) play him. Hardy recently excelled in a similar role in The Drop, playing Bob Saginowski. In the end though if Ryan Gosling (Drive) signs on he will be the lead. Just a feeling I have. People love that guy.

2. Harley Quinn/Harleen Quninzel (Margot Robbie)

"Don't you wanna rev your Harley?"

Why?: Harley's inclusion into the Squad has divided comic fans, but I believe she is needed. She is a valuable commodity. She brings diversity and popularity to the team while simultaneously letting the general audience know that the Joker (another fan favorite character) exists in this universe. Her personality also allows for moments of hilarity and flashes of ultra-violence that create fun interplay with her other teammates. That is something neither of the supposed female leads, Vixen and Mindblogger, can provide. Not to mention that her popularity among comics fans is ready to break into the mainstream and this film is the perfect opportunity.

          Peanut Butter is meant to go with jelly, the sky is meant to be blue, and Margot Robbie is destined to play Harley Quinn. I didn't think of it before she was rumored last week, but nothing in life has ever made more sense. Robbie burst onto the scene in last year's The Wolf of Wall Street as Leo Dicaprio's wife Naomi. She held her own alongside a star studded cast and even nailed a Brooklyn accent (a key component to Harley). Robbie is a no brainer to portray Harley Quinn.

3. Black Manta (Will Smith)

"Aquaman is MINE!!"

Why?: Manta is Aquaman's arch nemesis and will most likely factor into the King of Atlantis' solo movie in 2018. So I see this film as a perfect opportunity to set up the character for that outing. He was just very recently added to the Suicide Squad's roster so it's not a completely out of the box pick. He also possesses an unique skill set to add to the team. (Underwater shit, son)

          Like I said before Will Smith usually plays good guys, but this is his chance to break that trend. He hasn't had a hit in quite some time so maybe it's time to do something different. It's time to embrace the evil Will.

4. Captain Boomerang/George Harkness (Hardy)

"Hoist a pint with us, mate"

Why?: Boomer is a member of Flash's Rogues and also a frequent inclusion into the Squad. I mainly want him to be involved because his attitude (occasional racist and frequent pain in the ass) leads him to bumps heads with his teammates. Friction among the team always makes for a much more interesting story. And once again this could set up his character for a future appearance. Such as in 2018's The Flash movie if need be.

          Hardy is extremely versatile and could nail the part of this annoying Aussie. He will most likely be Deadshot if Gosling doesn't sign on, but if pretty boy does nut up and join, Boomer is a fun part that Hardy could do a lot with.  

5+6+7. (Pick Any 3)

• Vixen: Usually a hero she was forced into the Squad, she has a necklace that can mimic the powers of any animal on Earth.
• King Shark: Could definitely add muscle, this cannibal is a fun (and expendable) addition to the Squad.
• The Clock King: Tockman was once part of the team, but so was fellow Clock King Temple Fugate (The DC animated version). Fugate's job was to keep the team on a precision schedule and help set up the plans.
• Black Spider: Many incarnations. Could use any. Could kill off easily.
• Plastique: Can make shit explode. Adds another female member and is a good candidate to betray the team.
• Bronze Tiger: Used to butt heads with Boomerang. Provides more muscle.
• Killer Frost: Kept her out of the main cast because I wanted to save ice powers (or guns) for Captain Cold or Mr. Freeze, but any incarnation of her brings a cold blooded killer who shows absolutely no mercy.

Antagonists/Villains

1. Amanda Waller (Viola Davis)

"No one messes with the Wall!"

Why?:Waller is of course in command of the Squad. Her mission is to retrieve Zod's body which Cadmus will be using to find Superman's weaknesses. I want our audience cheering against her and cheering for our villainous squad to fuck her over. 

          Davis is a strong actress who character in How To Get Away With Murder reminds me a bit of Waller.

2. Deathstroke/Slade Wilson (Manu Bennett)

"I made you a promise kid"

Why?: Slade's popularity has soared after appearing on Arrow and in the video games Arkham Origins and Injustice: Gods Among Us. It's time to cash in now. Slade could be working security for Luthor by protecting the body of the Kryptonian. Imagine a fight of the Squad vs Slade. Who doesn't want to see that? 

          Casted Manu Bennett because at this point who is gonna play Slade better?

3. Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg)

"Krypton sucks"

Why?: It would be a small appearance because since the team is breaking into his company it would make sense. His appearance would a show a pre-established character and future show the cohesiveness of DC's cinematic universe.

          Eisenberg has already been chosen as Lex and I hope he does a wonderful job with the character in Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice.

Thanks for reading! Those are my thoughts on Suicide Squad. What is your Squad lineup? What's their mission? Sound off in the comments. 

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