Ratcatcher. Starro. Bloodsport. Blackguard. Javelin. Weasel. Savant.
These are just a handful of the Z-list DC Comics supervillains that James Gunn will turn into household names next August. He successfully performed the miraculous popularization of a talking raccoon and his best friend the alien tree. So it comes as no surprise that he took on a similar challenge when presented with the keys to the DC Extended Universe. One could argue that Gunn took on an even riskier gamble with his adaptation of Task Force X, especially considering that the film is “heavily R-rated”. On top of that, The Suicide Squad continues a franchise whose name is not recognized favorably in the eyes of the general public.
A Director’s Dream Come True
Now, during the development of The Suicide Squad, a frankly unprecedented amount of creative freedom was afforded to Mr. Gunn. Perhaps it was the rising popularity of R-Rated comic book adaptations (I.E. Deadpool, Daredevil, Watchmen, Joker, Logan, etc.), or the power of the James Gunn brand, or perhaps something else entirely that caused DC to give Gunn such freedom. Regardless of the reasons for it, fans can count this creative decision as a victory.
James Gunn actually wrote two key characters of the film for specific actors, namely Idris Elba as Bloodsport and Joaquin Cosio as Major General Mateo Suárez. Elba plays Bloodsport, a violent mercenary who will be a father figure of sorts to Ratcatcher, while additionally working on his relationship with his biological daughter, Tyla (Storm Reid).
Major General Mateo Suarez And Bloodsport Enter The Fray
His story, and how greatly it hinges on his relationships as a father figure calls to mind Will Smith’s Floyd Lawton, AKA Deadshot, from the first Suicide Squad film. Reportedly, Idris Elba was cast as the replacement Deadshot, but the role was altered, leaving the door open for Smith to hypothetically return to the franchise in the future.
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Smith’s character served as one of the emotional pillars of the film, particularly his conflicted relationship with his young daughter Zoe Lawton. Bloodsport has also been specifically mentioned as one of the highlights of the film by fans lucky enough to see an early test screening of the upcoming DC movie.
James Gunn’s Surprise Addition
Joaquin Cosio, most famous for his work on Narcos: Mexico and FX’s The Strain, will be playing the antagonist Major General Mateo Suarez. We can assume that his men are the soldiers seen in the tropical shots of the behind-the-scenes pseudo-trailer shown at DC Fandome.
Notably, the frames of the trailer featuring Starro show it attached to the faces of fallen soldiers, likely soldiers under the command of Suarez. In a recent tweet, Gunn revealed the Narcos EP Eric Newman connected the actor and director, praising Cosio as his “favorite actor ever”. Cosio previously tweeted praising the cast and crew of The Suicide Squad, calling the filming process an “extraordinary adventure”.
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Anticipation grows higher for The Suicide Squad every week, with behind the scenes information like this only adding fuel to the fire. I cannot wait to see what Joaquin Cosio brings to this bombastic DCEU sequel.
The Suicide Squad is expected to open in theaters on August 6, 2021. Are you excited to see Bloodsport and Major General Mateo Suarez? Which characters are you most excited to see James Gunn get his hands on? Let us know in the comment section below or send us a blast on our Twitter!
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