Top 10 Things to Remember Before Seeing The Suicide Squad 2021
#10: Not a Direct Sequel or Complete Reboot
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It’s safe to say that among fans and critics alike, 2016’s “Suicide Squad” didn’t quite meet expectations. So, when rumors spread that the team’s new film would be a reboot, the announcement was a welcome one. Keep in mind, though, that considering the actors who played Amanda Waller, Rick Flag, Captain Boomerang and Harley Quinn will reappear as the same characters, this movie is more of a standalone sequel than a total reboot. Director James Gunn claimed the new movie wouldn’t completely ignore the events of the old, but also that the 2021 film can stand on its own. It’ll focus more on taking characters on new journeys than following up the old narrative, so you don’t have to worry about rewatching the first one!
#9: The Tone Will Be “Guardians of the Galaxy” Meets “Apocalypse Now”
According to early plot details, 2021’s “The Suicide Squad” will follow our favorite group of villains and their starfish-related mission on the island of Corto Maltese. Producers say the film will draw comparisons to “gritty 1970s war movie[s]” intertwined with the humor from movies like “Guardians of the Galaxy”. This likely means we're in for some pretty violent scenes with lighter tones of comedy: the perfect balance for any superhero movie! Plus, it never hurts to have a sense of humor, especially where this team is going. In the comics, Corto Maltese has been home to particularly violent rebel uprisings, so it isn’t too far out of left field to assume that the Suicide Squad will face villains of their own.
#8: James Gunn Had a Lot of Creative Control
After Warner Bros. let Zack Snyder have more creative control over his cut of the “Justice League”, he gave us an exciting and crowd-pleasing film. Fortunately, the studio took a similar approach with James Gunn. The director said he had tons of creative freedom in the R-rated “The Suicide Squad” and was given very minor notes that he was at liberty to take or refuse. Gunn’s directing style worked perfectly for the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. And, in 2010, he proved he could handle R-rated superhero films when he gave us the unforgettable “Super”. The director has the experience with superhero films and mature heroes to warrant creative freedom.
#7: There May Be Multiple Post-Credits Scenes
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If you're one of those savvy moviegoers that watches the credits roll in hopes of getting some extra content, then we have some good news about this movie. A Twitter exchange between James Gunn and a fan seemed to hint that there will be multiple post-credits scenes. And this director certainly isn’t unfamiliar with delivering memorable bonus content. Gunn crafted five post-credit scenes for “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” alone! Based on his track record, we can assume the extra scenes we’ll get for “The Suicide Squad” will be a mix of one-off jokes and hints at future storylines. So, you'll definitely want to stick around after the credits to see what happens next.
#6: Deadshot Is Gone, But Not Forgotten
Will Smith’s Deadshot was one of the most engaging and complex characters in the first “Suicide Squad” film. Despite his popularity, the actor isn’t expected to appear in the 2021 film. According to various reports, Smith wasn't able to reprise his role mainly due to scheduling conflicts. He leaves behind some big shoes to fill, but we think Idris Elba’s character, Bloodsport, won’t have much of a problem stepping up to the plate. Smith is still on good terms with the studio so, who knows? Maybe we’ll see him reprise his role at some point, or even a potentially different role in the DCEU. Either way, one thing’s for sure: Will Smith is always welcome back in the hearts of fans!
#5: Harley Quinn’s Huge Action Scene
When Margot Robbie returned as Harley Quinn for 2020’s “Birds of Prey”, she commanded creative and stunning action scenes. It sounds like she’ll wow us again in 2021. James Gunn has mentioned that one of Harley’s action scenes is, according to Digital Spy, “probably [his] favorite four minutes of film [he’s] ever shot.” That's incredibly high praise from a director who's given us insane prison break scenes, thrilling spaceship battles, and climactic fights between godlike beings. The combination of his creative brand of action and Margot Robbie's outstanding performance, both emotionally and in terms of her physical capabilities, might just give us the best scene of the movie.
#4: Peacemaker Isn’t Bulletproof
Although “The Suicide Squad” will introduce a bunch of characters to the DCEU, John Cena's Peacemaker has garnered a good chunk of the attention so far. He's been described as a “douchey Captain America” by Cena himself. (Hey, don’t shoot the messenger! We’re just quoting here!) Not only has Peacemaker been featured prominently in trailers, he’s also getting his own spin-off show on HBO Max. Fair warning: you might not want to get too attached just yet. The “Peacemaker” series is set to dive into the character’s origins. So, there's always a chance that he bites the bullet in “The Suicide Squad”. Nevertheless, John Cena could not have been better casted, and we couldn’t be more excited to get to know his version of Peacemaker.
#3: Taika Waititi Is on the Cast List
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It might be hard to stand out in a cast that includes Nathan Fillion, Michael Rooker and David Dastmalchian. But it's easy when you're as talented and hilarious as Taiki Waititi! When his casting was first announced for “The Suicide Squad”, some thought he’d be playing King Shark. But, since Sylvester Stallone is lending his voice to the big fish, Waititi’s role is still unknown. What we do know, however, is that he brings a unique sense of humor to every character he plays! Consider his roles in “What We Do in the Shadows” and “Jojo Rabbit”. And do we even need to mention Korg? We can't wait to see the magic he’ll bring to whoever he plays in this ensemble film.
#2: Starro Has a Starring Role
The giant starfish that the Suicide Squad is sent after is a pretty big deal. Known as Starro the Conqueror, this alien being is strong enough to give the Justice League some serious trouble. Don’t be fooled by his squishy exterior; this baddie has a range of powers that include duplication, regeneration, and mind control. The last power is particularly worrisome when it comes to the Suicide Squad. With every member of the team being somewhat of a wildcard and nearly every member being completely unhinged, the possibility of Starro taking over even just one of their minds might mean absolute chaos. As if battling the giant starfish monster wasn’t enough; the Suicide Squad may end up battling each other at the same time!
#1: Expect a Number of Casualties
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Few members of 2016’s “Suicide Squad” lost their lives. But it looks like the body count will be much higher for the 2021 movie. Not only has Gunn mentioned that no character is protected by the franchise, one of his tweets also seemed to suggest there will be as few as two survivors. While we can presume Harley Quinn is likely to make it, there’s no guarantee for anyone else. Will team members fall victim to Project Starfish? Is there a traitor in their midst? Or will Amanda Waller finally pull the plug on one or more of her pawns? The only thing we know for sure is that the team’s lineup will never be the same.
