On the weekend that Marvel Studios seems poised to take over with the massively successful Avengers: Age of Ultron, one surefire way to steal some thunder as their biggest competitor is to show what you’ve got cooking. Suicide Squad director David Ayer just served up a nice, hot appetizer, so dig in. (By the way, I’m kind of hungry, can anyone make me something?)
David Ayer tweeted the first official cast photo, seen below.
If you’re darting your eyes looking for Jared Leto as The Joker, you can lean back in your chair. He’s not in it. While this is from Suicide Squad, it’s a photo of the assembled Task Force X, and rumors of Joker playing more of a villain than anti-hero protagonist seem to be true.
But if you want to know who makes up Task Force X, here’s the breakdown:
Adam Beach (Slipknot), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Cara Delevinge (Enchantress), Karen Fukuhara (Katana), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Will Smith (Deadshot), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc), and Jay Hernandez (Diablo).
Out the gate, I can say one thing: I like it! If any of the upcoming DC movies has me the most excited it’s Suicide Squad, and this first look hasn’t disappointed me. Yeah, it’s erring on the comically gritty tone that DC seems to be aiming for that I’ve had quite enough of, but this is nice. I’m picking up what they’re putting down (or, uploading online).
One of the most crucial elements to nail down for Suicide Squad is Harley Quinn, a tall order as she’s been a longtime fan favorite that hasn’t had her day in the cinematic sun. Margot Robbie looks amazing so far, so consider expectations for Suicide Squad raised. It’s certainly a 180 from how I felt about Jared Leto’s Juggalo-on-meth Joker.
That’s not all though. Here’s a clearer look at Will Smith as Deadshot in full costume that Ayer tweeted shortly after.
Excited? You’ve still got over a year to go, so just relax. Suicide Squad is set for August 5, 2016.