Tag: Enchantress

Introducing Task Force X: First Cast Photo of ‘Suicide Squad’!

by Eric Francisco

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.

Warner Bros. Announces ‘Suicide Squad’ Cast!

by Eric Francisco

According to Newsarama, Warner Bros. has just announced the cast of Suicide Squad, the next entry in their line-up of DC movies after Batman v. Superman.

Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the Suicide Squad:

Jared Leto as The Joker

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn

Will Smith as Deadshot

Tom Hardy as Rick Flag

Jai Courtney as Boomerang

Cara Delevingne as Enchantress

What a hell of a cast! If you’ve been following the rumors this list isn’t a surprise at all, rather it’s the accuracy of those rumors that have been raising eyebrows.

From Newsarama:

The movie will begin shooting in April 2015 in Toronto, and is the second film on the WB/DC mega-docket announced in October, following Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice.

“We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under David Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero,” said WB President Greg Silverman.

Ayer has previously said the film will go by the credo, “Does a movie really need good guys?”

It is not yet known who will be playing Amanda Waller, the government liaison and shot-caller of the squad. Jesse Eisenberg, who is portraying Superman villain Lex Luthor in Batman v. Superman, is also rumored to be involved with Suicide Squad in some capacity, but how much or even if at all is unknown.

Let’s get the big reveal out of the way: Jared Leto as The Joker. First, The Joker has never really been a regular on the Suicide Squad roster all that much in the comics, so his involvement with the movie is definitely Warner Bros.’/DC’s way of getting him to eventually cross with Batman. There is no question.

As great as the Oscar-winning performance Heath Ledger was when he was the Clown Prince back in 2008, that’s his performance. One actor alone cannot define a character. I always rolled my eyes when fanboys shouted that the Joker should be retired from film. Keeping other artists from contributing to the life of a character, that’s dumb. I can’t say I’m a fan of Jared Leto, but seeing how The Joker character has brought out some of the best performances from great actors in the last few decades, I look forward to seeing how Jared Leto fares.

The other big news: Will Smith as Deadshot! That’s a great choice. Yeah, he has a weird family, but that shouldn’t have any bearing on him as a performer. Furthermore, it will be interesting how he plays a cold-hearted killer when for years he’s been known as America’s best friend. The guy who wore hot pink shirts and rapped (with PG-friendly lyrics) about partying in Miami will play the deadliest assassin in comic books. I can’t wait to see him. Also, there are some very close-minded comic fans who come out every so often deriding racial casting changes of their favorite characters. So far, I haven’t heard a single peep about Will Smith as Deadshot. Why so quiet, bigots?

The rest of the cast range from solid to fascinating. Tom Hardy, playing his second DC villain, is on the verge of a cultural comeback. I love Tom Hardy as an actor, and I know it has only been two years since The Dark Knight Rises but his momentum as a Hollywood star slowed somewhat after that. He only had one movie, the critically-acclaimed Locke, in 2013 and The Drop this year. But with a slew of new movies coming up, among them Mad Max: Fury Road and now Suicide Squad, your girlfriend (or boyfriend!) will be going back to the theater more.

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn will have an interesting shoe to fill. While Harley has never been in a movie before, she is so beloved by fans. From her debut in Batman: The Animated Series to the critically-acclaimed Batman: Arkham City, fans can’t wait to see The Joker’s paramour on screen. But with no previous shadow to step out of (unlike Leto), Robbie has a chance to cement her own legacy. She might actually be the one thing I’m looking forward to the most from this movie.

David Ayer will be helming this Expendables-esque blockbuster of super baddies and will be in theaters August 6, 2016.

How do you guys feel about the cast of Suicide Squad? Honestly, it’s still hard  for me to believe a DC Universe movie series is really happening.