Casting Call: ‘Suicide Squad’

DC have announced a couple of new movies. More than a couple – 10 to be released over the next five years including a new Batman, a reboot for Green Lantern and a new Flash (although the pilot of the TV show only aired this past week). Up for release next year following Batman vs Superman is the anti-hero team of convicts and killers called Suicide Squad. Having already featured in Arrow, they’re a team on dangerous inmates recruited to pull of black-ops missions for the US government with the promise of a reduced sentence. The team is 100% expendable, and may be incapable of working together, but they’re kept in line through the explosive wired into their spine.

The comic has been getting published for decades with a rotating roster of characters (it’s sudden green light likely a response to Guardians of the Galaxy), so we’re going to look at the likely candidates for a movie.

DEADSHOT

Timothy Olyphant

I’m a big fan of Timothy Olyphant. He, who admitted to dabbling in stand up comedy before turning to acting, found a knack for playing silver tongued antagonists in movies such as Gone in 60 Seconds, Go, and The Girl Next Door. He had a bad boy charm, a great grasp of the English language, and an imposing enough stature to back up his motor mouth. It wasn’t until his two gunslinging protagonists that I realized how much more range he had. Those roles were of course Bullock of the ill-fated but much praised HBO drama,Deadwood, and the US Marshall with a dry-wit and Eastwood mumble, Raylen Givens, of Justified, He has a real knack for finding himself in a whole lot of trouble, throwing everyone off with some acerbic insults, and then blasting his way out. Kind of sounds like Deadshot in a nutshell, at least the awesome “Secret Six” version. – Slam Adams

Jeffery Dean Morgan

Deadshot might be the more on the side of good than the rest of the maniacs in the Suicide Squad, but he’s still a professional killer. The actor who takes on the role will need to find a balance between his cold detachment, flippant attitude and history of violent crime and his relationship with his daughter and a desire to not be a complete lost cause. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has played many similar roles in the past, including in Watchmen and The Losers, proving he has the experience for the part, but he’s never had a real big hit to call his own. – G-Funk

KILLER FROST

Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Gugu is a hugely talented up-and-comer who has been making waves on the indie scene and a big film like this is just what she needs. Plus, her stunning beauty and powerful presence would be perfect for the villainous Killer Frost. – Jamie Z.

CAPTAIN BOOMERANG

Joel Edgerton

This is not a character who is easy to be taken seriously. His entire concept is based around throwing boomerangs. It’s amazing that he’s managed to hold his place in the DC line up in the modern era. Having said that there’s no denying the dynamic he brings to the team. The smirking ego-maniac frequently challenges Deadshot for leadership of the team, antagonises everyone during diplomatic situations and hits on every woman in the squad. Edgerton not only shares a likeness with the character, he has the charisma to keep the character amusing rather than annoying. And he won’t have to fake the accent. – G-Funk

VIXEN

Danai Gururi

Vixen has a fairly interesting back-story fueled by rage, loss and a good amount of death.  Her powers center on an ancient African totem that was made to grant the wearer the abilities of the animal kingdom, and over time that totem was passed to her.  Those circumstances were marred in bloodshed though as her father was killed by someone after the totem, forcing Vixen to change her identity and flee the country.  When you think about a sort of roguish, revenge-seeking anti-hero carrying unbearable pain of loss you can see why Danai Gururi would be perfect for the role.  Her performance as Michonne on The Walking Dead carries a lot of that same weight and she has an undeniably scolding presence on screen.  Vixen is also an easier character to adapt into a “confined realism” approach if DC does indeed wish to continue that trait in their Suicide Squad on-screen adventures. – Paul C.

AMANDA WALLER

Lorraine Toussaint The first time I noticed Lorraine Toussaint was in the tv series, “Saving Grace,” where she played a charming but authoritative police captain of a Major Crimes Unit. She was never afraid of having fun, knowing their was a time and place for frivolity, but she also knew how to tug on the reigns and get everyone to work. She just had that kind of presence. Mom meets grade school principal with a badge. She would take those qualities and use them to make one of the more fascinating season 2 additions on Orange is the New Black. This time she was on the other side of the law as a manipulative criminal mastermind, a character that was so much fun to hate. As a peace-keeper who works in the shadows, Waller walks that line and needs to reflect both of those forms. And then there is the physical traits of the character. Originally portrayed as a either overweight or crazy obese depending on the artist, Waller was given a New 52 makeover into a more usual lean comic book protagonist. Part of me thinks, “yes, she should look healthy enough to convince she’s had some field training,” but desk jobs tend to ruin people’s physique. Thus far, the best Waller has been “Smallville’s” Pam Grier, who is neither too old or too young, too thin or too heavy. She was in such a perfect middle ground to effectively portray all those aspects, and Toussaint has those similar physical qualities. Of course, this is only if they don’t go for Waller’s best voice actor, CCH Pounder. – Slam AdamsPam Grier Amanda Waller is a hardass government official who is the behind-the-scenes puppeteer of the group. For this role you need a female who is obviously the head honcho and who better than the fabulous and fierce Pam Grier, especially since she’s already portrayed Waller on Smallville. – Jamie Z.SGT. ROCK

Graham McTavish

Sergeant Rock is a tricky one as he’s an iconic DC war hero that’s rooted in WWII lore, so changing his backstory would be an absolute “no-no”.  However he does later join up with the Suicide Squad when he’s an older post-WWII General at the time so he could serve as a background voice or the one leading their missions from a distance.  McTavish is only 53 years old but with some applied aging and a hell of a hair-dye he could perfectly fit into the all balls, no bullshit Sergeant Rock mythos.  He’s tough as nails and continuously shows that on screen with roles in Rambo and The Hobbit Trilogy and he’s not even a stranger to comic-book adaptations as he’s voice Loki in “The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”.  He carries that sort of screen presence that when he steps into the spotlight towering over the others you sit up and take notice of the guy, and that bravado is something you’d need to a character like Rock. – Paul C.

NEMESIS

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau

Nemesis aka Thomas Andrew Tresser was a vigilante before he was turned into an allying member of the U.S. Government.  It’s this sort of reformed duality that immediately brings me to a talented actor such as Nikolaj.  His scene-stealing turn as Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones is a revered performance because of how wonderfully he pulled out an anti-hero from the ashes of someone we once despised.  Nemesis briefly joins the Suicide Squad to bring his espionage prowess to the table and this could sort of turn into a Black Widow type of role for DC if they choose to bring him in that way.  Nikolaj would not only breathe life into this character on screen but bring that unmistakable “anti-hero” quality that one would need from the Suicide Squad. – Paul C.

KGBEAST

Mickey Rourke

Easily one of the most underused villains in the Batman universe – how can you not be making more use of a character called ‘KGBeast’? The heavily equipped, cybernetically enhanced killing machine is a heavy hitter. He doles out heavy damage and can take plenty in return. Being a leftover assassin of the Cold War he needs to have a couple of years on him. Between his experience playing damage absorbing heavies like Marv and Randy the Ram and already looking like he needs robot parts Rourke is an easy fit for the character, even if it is just a small role. KGBeast tends to be the one killed in the first act. G-Funk

TATTOOED MAN

Ben Foster

Abel was a sailor and a primary nemesis of the Green Lantern who was exposed to enhanced chemicals that allowed him to create images just by using them.  He tattooed the chemicals to himself and can now use them to manipulate weaponry such as swords and axes as well as a dragon and whatever else he tattooed to his body.  Ben Foster is known for taking on mysterious roles with a hellacious edge and Abel Tarrant seems like a good match for his acting abilities.  He often loses himself in these sorts of roles and could make an incredibly dangerous and potent addition to The Suicide Squad both in the character and in the talent behind him.

NIGHTSHADE

Rebecca Hall

A Princess from another world with teleportation powers and the ability to create inter-dimensional warps, Eve Eden became a staple of The Suicide Squad after the Infinite Earths storyline.  Rebecca Hall is a hell of an actress that proved her chops in a variety of roles over the past few years, and one who would take this character and run with it.  She has a mysterious presence which adds to the back story of Nightshade and her icy cold stare could be a weapon all on its own. – Paul C.

HARLEY QUINN

Amber Heard

There’s no-one doubting that the casting of Harley Quinn will be met with the most debate and scrutiny. Gone from Saturday Morning cartoon sidekick to her own spin-off comic, Harley is a massive hit with readers, a regular feature in all DC related media and a staple cos-play option at conventions. The casting of the Joker’s girlfriend can make or break a Suicide Squad movie. Rumour is that Margot Robbie is being offered the part, which sounds like a good idea, but here’s a couple more options. Amber Heard has been working hard the past decade, appearing in dozens of films with plenty of off the wall roles. While some may perceive Quinn as a straight-forward quirky villain, there’s plenty of tragedy and heartache that needs to be at the core of the lunacy. Amber Heard looks the part and could show just enough restraint to give Quinn a layered depiction on the screen. – G-Funk

Juno Temple

Teeny tiny Temple is adorable, sassy and always looks like she’s up to no good, which would make her perfect for the crazy yet lovable Harley. She’s also extremely talented and could bring out the nuances of the characters perfectly. – Jamie Z.

Thoughts, feedback, suggestions? Got a great casting idea for King Shark? Post in the comments!