James Gunn is easily one of the most beloved directors working today, and with multiple beloved projects in production or release, It’s as if he can do no wrong. So when he recently implied that he will be continuing his work in the DCEU film franchise, fans are on pins and needles to know what will be next.
Peacemaker, Gunn’s currently releasing series, is both hugely popular and intensely well received in a way that defies expectations. The series spun off from Gunn’s blockbuster entry to the DCEU, 2021’sThe Suicide Squad, and it seems clear that the director is not done with that franchise.
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In an interview with Deadline’sHero Nationpodcast,Gunn proclaimed that he is currently workingon another TV series connected toThe Suicide Squad. He was unable to share any additional detail, given that the show is not yet in production. He mentioned that the show will be drastically different in tone and presentation fromPeacemaker, specifically pointing out that his sense of humor will be less central. He stated most prominently that the new series will not be within the same genre as his current series, which falls into an irreverent action-comedy vibe. The idea of anotherSuicide Squadcharactergetting to front a solo projectis obviously exciting for fans of the film, but the massive cast leaves a ton of room for speculation.
The big obvious hint to exactlywhichSuicide Squadalummight be on their way to the small screen is the fact that, spoiler warning for the film, most of the cast dies by the end. By the end credits ofThe Suicide Squad, only four members of the team remain breathing. The mid-credits scene reveals Peacemaker has survived, and a post-credit scene shockingly revived horrible rodent-man Weasel. That leaves Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, King Shark, and Ratcatcher 2 along with Weasel as surviving candidates from the main team. Of course, death is no significant obstacle. Peacemaker was considered dead before his twist resurrection, any of the apparent corpses could make a miraculous recovery. Beyond that, any of the characters could enjoy a prequel, rather than a continuation of the narrative. Rest assured, the prospect of a full season of TV fronted byNathan Fillion’s TDK is still on the table.
The next obvious stumbling block comes from the actors behind the particular characters. Harley Quinn and Bloodsport are both outstanding characters,but Margot Robbie andIdris Elba might be a bit too busy to star in a full TV show. Robbie has publicly stated her desire to take a break from the role that she has now occupied twice, so, despite Harley’s central role in the franchise, it’s unlikely she’ll be the focus. Elba is similarly occupied, jumping from one massive role to another far too briskly to be held down. This issue could eliminate two of the biggest characters of the film from the running, but that isn’t all that surprising. Harley Quinn already has a massively underrated solo film and Bloodsport could easily be heading towards that outcome as well. A smaller character will likely be the focus.
The outside-the-box pick might be a character not particularly involved with the direct Task Force X activities. Perhaps the weakest aspect of the film is the barely acknowledged subplot about Alice Braga’s character Sol Soria and her revolutionary army. The army pops up for barely two scenes, claims victory after the Suicide Squad finishes their battle, and has a very little overall impact on the story. The film mostly plays them for jokes, like when Bloodsport andPeacemaker accidentally kill their waythrough half the army.
The one named character besides Soria is Milton, the gang’s getaway driver whose primary role in the plot is an extended joke in which no one remembers he’s there. The army’s presence in the film feels cut down somehow, as if they were meant to have a larger role, but were edited down for time. Maybe a full-fledged show about this fairly grounded rebel army could provide the change in tone Gunn alluded to. While this could be interesting, there’s really only one candidate who stands out as a clear choice for a great series lead.
There’s a ton of heart on display inThe Suicide Squad, but the big emotional climax of the film comesin the midst of its final action scene. As Starro the Conquerer leads its city-destroying assault, Cleo Cazo AKA Ratcatcher 2, leads her massive army of rodents to topple the beast. In that moment, in a brief but beautiful flashback, her father explains why he chose the rat, in a coda that ties the entire film with a perfect narrative bow. Daniela Melchior’s portrayal of this character created for the film made her an instant hit. Powerful, likable, and immediately well-defined, Ratcatcher 2 is a fantastic choice for her own series.
Just about any character fromThe Suicide Squadcould be the basis for the new series, but some choices are better than others. Fans will just have to wait and see what cant-miss project James Gunn will bring to the screen next.
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