The Suicide Squad: New Images Show Idris Elba, James Gunn & Other DC Villains

By Aeron Mer Eclarinal Posted:
Idris Elba James Gunn Suicide Squad

It is no secret that The Suicide Squad is one of the highly anticipated DCEU projects of 2021, mainly due to the film's star-studded cast and intriguing premise. Directed by James Gunn , the film will feature a different Task Force X, but franchise mainstays like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flagg , and Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang will stay put to give the team more firepower.

Aside from returning fan favorites, The Suicide Squad will also feature DCEU newcomers such as John Cena's Peacemaker, Idris Elba's Bloodsport, and the surprise inclusion of Sylvester Stallone as the powerful King Shark.

Plot details are still being kept under wraps, but marketing for The Suicide Squad confirmed that the team's next mission will revolve around the dangerous Corto Maltese nation.

The trailer for the DCEU film also revealed that Starro will serve as the chief villain of Task Force X , but there's a sense that the giant starfish kaiju will not be the only threat in the narrative.

Now, a brand-new look at the hybrid reboot/sequel has emerged.

IDRIS ELBA AND JOHN CENA SHINE IN THE SUICIDE SQUAD STILLS

Total Film officially released four new stills for The Suicide Squad , showing off an impressive look at some cast members alongside the film's director, James Gunn.

The Suicide Squad, Idris Elba as Bloodsport, James Gunn
Total Film

James Gunn points out instructions to Idris Elba while filming a scene on the set of The Suicide Squad .

The Suicide Squad: Ratcatcher 2 & Bloodsport
Total Film

Daniela Melchior's Ratcatcher 2 and Idris Elba's Bloodsport stand above the rubbles of Corto Maltese, seemingly hinting that this was taken at the end of the battle against Starro.

Suicide Squad: David Dastmalchian, John Cena, Idris Elba, Daniela Melchior
Total Film

John Cena's Peacemaker, David Dalmatchian's Polka Dot Man, Bloodsport, and Ratcatcher 2 manage to surprise unknown soldiers of Corto Maltese in this official still from the DCEU film.

Suicide Squad: Sylvester Stallone as King Shark, Daniela Melchor as Ratcatcher 2, John Cena as Peacemaker, Idris Elba as Bloodsport
Total Film

The second batch of Task Force X, which includes Peacemaker, Bloodsport, Ratcatcher 2, and Sylvester Stallone's King Shark, hides from unknown villains in this still from the movie.

IDRIS ELBA'S BLOODSPORT AND HIS TASK FORCE X

The Suicide Squad showcases a stacked cast, but the main selling point of the film is the idea that fans shouldn't get too attached to these characters. This is as such because of the nature of the team's mission where no one is really safe up until the credits roll.

Marketing for the film suggests that there are two different iterations of Task Force X, and these stills clearly highlight the second team that Viola Davis' Amanda Waller will send out to Corto Maltese.

The squad is expected to be led by Idris Elba's Bloodsport, and these images provide a glimpse of how his group will handle the looming threat.

The chemistry between Daniela Melchor's Ratcatcher 2 and Bloodsport has been featured multiple times in the film's promotional drive, and this could suggest that the dynamic between the two anti-heroes will be pushed to the forefront in the film. It's possible that a father-daughter relationship will be explored, and it will be interesting to see how that could translate into the battlefield.

Based on what's been revealed so far, it looks like Bloodsport's team will save the day, and evidence suggests that it will not be an easy fight. Still, the inclusion of Harley Quinn and Rick Flag should bolster their chances against Starro, thus leading to a death-defying climactic battle.

It remains to be seen who will survive at the end of The Suicide Squad , but it's safe to say that the final battle will involve multiple deaths that could break the hearts of many DC fans.

The Suicide Squad is set to premiere in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6, 2021.

- About The Author: Aeron Mer Eclarinal
Aeron is a news/features writer and Content Lead for The Direct who has been working for the site since March 2020. From writing about the inter-connectivity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to having an extended knowledge about DC TV's Arrowverse, Aeron's expertise has since expanded into the realm of reality TV, K-drama, animated, and live-action shows from Netflix,  Disney+, Prime Video, MGM+, Peacock, Paramount+, and Max. When he isn't writing and watching all things MCU, Aeron is heavily invested with the NBA (go Celtics!) and occasionally watches thrilling matches in the WWE.