The Suicide Squad Originally Featured Superman in a Major Role

By Nathan Johnson Posted:
Superman, Peacemaker, The Suicide Squad, John Cena, Henry Cavill

The Suicide Squad has officially hit theaters worldwide as well as television screens via HBO Max.

The newest addition to the DC Extended Universe, written and directed by none other than James Gunn, has sent critics into an uproar, garnering praise like no other film ever has under the DC brand.

Gunn has been extremely open and vocal during The Suicide Squad's marketing phase. He confirmed that a spin-off series on HBO Max about John Cena's character in the movie, Peacemaker, has already been written and filmed and has even made comments about being in talks with Warner Bros. to return to the franchise for future projects.

Like most films, The Suicide Squad had to go through a brainstorming phase, with Gunn and his crew tossing around ideas on what they would want to do with the movie before deciding on a final product.

Gunn recently revealed a plot point that he had an idea for, and the interesting part is that it involved none other than Superman.

THE SUICIDE SQUAD VS. SUPERMAN

Superman Suicide Squad
DC

Editor's note: Gunn's quotes were translated from written German to English.

In a recent interview with the German entertainment news outlet Filmstarts, director James Gunn shed some light on an idea that he had for The Suicide Squad and Superman.

Gunn mentioned that he wanted his "group of lousy super villains" to go toe-to-toe with the Kryptonian Man of Steel, Superman, "when [he] started writing The Suicide Squad":

"When I started writing The Suicide Squad, one idea was that they would fight Superman. The Suicide Squad has to catch Superman for some reason. That was all, just a vague idea. It's gotten out of hand or is being controlled by someone. And then this group of lousy super villains has to face the most powerful hero in the world."

He also added that "if DC does [that] sequel" to make sure it's "not without [him]:"

"I like this idea and if DC does this sequel, then please not without me."

A DCEU FIGHT FOR THE AGES

It's safe to say that fans would have enjoyed seeing Superman and the Suicide Squad in an all-out brawl.

With the film's R-rating and the level of brutality and gore that has made it into the final cut of the movie, Superman would have finally been unleashed in a no-holds-barred bloodbath, something that hasn't really happened in any of the other DCEU films.

However, it can also be seen as a good thing that this didn't happen.

In a film that is solely based around super villains as the main characters, bringing in someone like Superman, who has operated as the face of DC Comics for over 80 years, would take away from their narrative and steal the spotlight.

It is also worth mentioning that since The Suicide Squad has been praised as much as it has, the plot points and scenes that made it into the final cut built the story that has gone over with fans, and this scene could have even brought the movie down in quality.

If James Gunn had decided to include this fight for the ages, he could be trusted to have done it the right way. Who knows, maybe fans will get to see a Man of Steel vs. Suicide Squad fight scene in the future.

The Suicide Squad is currently playing in theaters worldwide as well as streaming on HBO Max.

- About The Author: Nathan Johnson
Nathan is a writer at The Direct where he covers Star Wars, the MCU, and DC news. He joined The Direct in April 2021 and currently writes news and feature articles about all three brands mentioned above, but his main specialty is his knowledge about anything and everything Star Wars.