The trailer for DC’s latest adaptation of The Suicide Squad has finally arrived. Writer/Director James Gunn’s “not a sequel” sequel showcases everything you’ve come to expect from the auteur. It is full of Gunn’s trademark quick-witted humor, high octane action, gross out gags, and true character moments. See it below.
After 2016’s disappointing Suicide Squad film, this trailer needs to do some heavy lifting. It needs to reintroduce and resell casual viewers on the concept, while not completely alienating the fans of the original. The trailer introduced a new team. A team that, with the exception of Harley Quinn, most people couldn’t name. (That includes other holdovers from the first film, like Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang and Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag). It needs to make you forget that Will Smith was in the first film. Although Smith’s Deadshot highlighted the first Suicide Squad, his presence will be missed.
Being without Smith, Gunn smartly stacked the new squad with a few big guns. He cast Idris Alba and John Cena as Bloodsport and Peacemaker, respectively, and brought in Sylvester Stallone to provide the voice for King Shark. Gunn also brings in a whole slew of DC Characters that are probably less known than Enchantress or Diablo. The Ratcatcher (Daniela Melchior), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), The Thinker (Peter Capaldi), Javelin (Flula Borg), Mongal (Mayling Ng), Blackguard (Peter Davidson), and SolSoria (Alice Braga) all join the squad. Gunn also brings in some of his frequent collaborators, Nathan Fillion as T.D.K., Michael Rooker as Savant, and his brother Sean Gunn as Weasel. But if the trailer shows us anything, most of this team lives (or doesn’t) up to the name.
From the horribly beautiful mind of @JamesGunn, #TheSuicideSquad hits theaters and @HBOMax August 6. Watch the Official Red Band trailer now, ❤️ to subscribe, and be among the first to receive content up until release! pic.twitter.com/O4fw1pbvXO
— The Suicide Squad (@SuicideSquadWB) March 26, 2021
Viola Davis returns as DC Badass Boss Lady Amanda “the Wall” Waller. Joining her as Belle Reve Prison’s warden Joe Economos is Steve Agee. Taika Waititi’s character has not been officially revealed, but if I was a betting man, I’d bet you see him at the end of the trailer.
Warner Brothers, DC, and HBO all high hopes for Gunn’s take on the Squad.
The Suicide Squad arrives in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6.
