Gavin O'Connor's THE SUICIDE SQUAD Was Set To Feature Black Adam As The Lead Antagonist

James Gunn is putting the finishing touches to The Suicide Squad, and while we have a pretty good idea of who the villain will be, Gavin O'Connor's version would have seen Task Force X battling Black Adam!

By JoshWilding - Nov 01, 2020 03:11 PM EST

Filed Under: The Suicide Squad

When rumours of a Suicide Squad sequel first started doing the rounds in late 2017, it was rumoured that Task Force X were set to reassemble to track down a mysterious weapon of mass destruction. This was around the time Gavin O'Connor was pitching some ideas to Warner Bros. as the planned follow-up's director, but the studio later turned to Guardians of the Galaxy helmer James Gunn after he was fired by Disney.

While we never learned what that mysterious weapon was, it's been confirmed in the latest edition of Empire Magazine (via Screen Rant) that Task Force X was set to reassemble to take on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's Black Adam.

That honestly sounds like an ideal way to introduce Black Adam to the DC Extended Universe in the present day, but the anti-hero likely would have torn through the likes of Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang with ease, while Johnson has made it clear he's not playing a villain. Now, in the planned Black Adam movie, his origin story will be told in detail, with the Justice Society of America seemingly set to recruit/square off with him.

It would certainly make sense for Task Force X to take on a superhero somewhere down the line, especially as the 2016 movie appeared to tease a battle with the Justice League. Seeing as Gunn was given the opportunity to helm a Superman project before signing up for The Suicide Squad, why not have them go after the Man of Steel?

As always, let us know your thoughts on this news in the comments section below!

Which characters from The Suicide Squad should be next to get their
own HBO Max spinoffs after Peacemaker? Hit the "Next" button to find out!

10. Javelin

This obscure Green Lantern villain is basically just a former Olympic athlete who, uh, throws javelins at superheroes. Of course, you could say the same about Captain Boomerang (albeit with boomerangs), so we're definitely excited to see what Flula Borg does with the character next year.

What makes him deserving of a spinoff? Well, while you'll definitely find other compelling possibilities here, a Javelin series could be a funny, quirky, adventure featuring plenty of big laughs.

Unlike Peacemaster, it probably wouldn't need eight episodes, but as a three or four episode origin story combined with some sort of follow-up to the events of The Suicide Squad, this could work.

9. Rick Flag

Joel Kinnaman impressed in Suicide Squad, but he didn't really get the opportunity to show what he could do as that movie's Rick Flag. The actor has already confirmed that he has more to do in the follow-up, with James Gunn giving him the chance to show his character's humorous side.

Exploring Rick's relationship with Dr. June Moon and the role he plays within A.R.G.U.S. could be a lot of fun, especially if we see him going out and getting his hands dirty recruiting bad guys.

That's a premise with a tonne of potential, though it would be equally as fun to see him butt heads with Amanda Waller and potentially even go on the run from her. Either way, Rick is a character we would love to spend more time with, and a TV series would be the perfect place for that.

8. A.R.G.U.S.

Here's a weird idea for you; an A.R.G.U.S. series focusing on the agents who accompany Task Force X into battle! It can't be easy having to fight alongside some of the world's greatest villains, and following some hapless agents in the field has the potential to be a really cool series.

This wouldn't be that different to The Batman spinoff coming to HBO Max, and could include some A-List cameos as these agents find themselves having to fight for themselves without them.

Amanda Waller factoring into proceedings would make sense, and we're sure a filmmaker like James Gunn could definitely have fun here, likely borrowing more obscure names from the comic books.

7. Bloodsport

This makes sense for a number of reasons, but Idris Elba leading his own spinoff series on HBO Max would be a logical next step for the A-Lister now he's part of the DC Extended Universe.

James Gunn wrote this role specifically for the actor, so we're confident he would enjoy continuing his story on the streaming service. His claim to fame is that he shot Superman, so perhaps one of Henry Cavill's rumoured cameos could be used in this small screen story featuring Bloodsport.

Considering there was a second Bloodsport in the comic books who was a white supremacist, a TV show could even pit Elba's version against him in a series that deals with some hard-hitting topics.

6. Ratcatcher 2

It's clear that James Gunn has big plans for Ratcatcher 2 based on what he's said about the character and some of the rumours we've been hearing, and relative newcomer Daniela Melchior has the opportunity to steal the show here. A newly created villain based on the original Ratcatcher, there's a tonne of different directions a small screen spinoff could ultimately choose to go down.

It would be pretty cool, for example, to see this new Ratcatcher come face to face with her predecessor, a classic Batman baddie who might not be happy about someone ripping off his gimmick.

Alternatively, the show could reveal how he trained her, delving into what led her down a path that ended with a place in the ranks of Task Force X. She's a cool looking character, so fingers crossed.

5. King Shark

We don't know whether King Shark will talk in The Suicide Squad, but assuming he's more than just a mindless beast, the villain could be every bit the highlight here as Groot was in Guardians of the Galaxy.

A series revolving around a CGI character certainly wouldn't be cheap, but it doesn't look like WarnerMedia is skimping on these HBO Max TV shows, and we're sure there's a human side of King Shark that could also be explored. It all boils down to how much personality James Gunn gives him!

Something tells us he will be a breakout character in the movie, so a TV show (probably not as many as eight episodes) could have fun exploring what makes him tick and how he became this hulking beast.

4. Katana

It's true that Katana doesn't appear to be part of The Suicide Squad, but she still worked alongside Task Force X in the first movie and was clearly a complicated character with motivations worth exploring.

What led to her deciding to help Rick Flag in the first movie and what's the deal with that sword of hers? Those are questions a TV show could definitely address, while also picking up with the character after she helped those villains save Midway City in the first instalment of this franchise.

If James Gunn were to be involved from a creative standpoint, he could help overhaul Katana in a big way.

3. Harley Quinn

Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey wasn't exactly a box office hit, but the title character still has a devoted fanbase, and it's obviously going to be exciting seeing what James Gunn does with her next year.

While her solo movie (because, let's face it, it wasn't really about the Birds of Prey) did a lot right, there's room for improvement, and a TV series might be a better fit for Harley than a feature now. Her animated series certainly gets a lot of love, so perhaps Gunn could tell a story with the Joker's former beau, this time set directly in the world of Task Force X and Amanda Waller?

A mission of her own - with a few new and familiar faces at her side - could be a blast, particularly if it were to finally explore Harley's relationship with Poison Ivy in a live-action setting.

2. Captain Boomerang

In many ways, Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang was a highlight in 2016's Suicide Squad, and while the movie perhaps tried a little too hard to make him the DC Universe's Deadpool, he was riot.

With a leading role in The Suicide Squad as well, James Gunn has the clash to flesh this Flash foe out in some new and intriguing ways, with a TV series then picking up on those ideas. We saw him get caught by the Fastest Man Alive, but what if there's more to Boomer than just that?

There were certainly signs he has a conscience in the first instalment, and he may not be all bad. Whatever story this series tackled, taking this down a comedic route would likely be for the best. If Ezra Miller can be convinced to cameo for a rematch, then that would be a real bonus for fans!

1. Deadshot

Deadshot was supposed to be in The Suicide Squad, but Will Smith being busy elsewhere is what led to Bloodsport's introduction. It's a real shame too as it's obvious there was more to explore with dynamic he established with Harley Quinn over the course of the 2016 movie.

A TV series wouldn't necessarily have to head down that route, but Floyd Lawton is almost certainly still in Amanda Waller's custody and ready to be dispatched from his cell for a new mission.

Smith returning to the small screen would be a huge deal with HBO Max, and there are tonnes of comic book storylines James Gunn could borrow from to tell this story. Harley having a supporting role would be no bad thing either...so, how about a team-up series of some sort, instead?

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17 Comments

GhostDog - 11/1/2020, 6:10 PM

Could’ve been interesting but the roster would’ve mattered as Adam is no joke and on Superman’s level

OmegaBlack13 - 11/1/2020, 6:40 PM

This is pretty much what the suicide squad game is gonna be

Dredd97 - 11/1/2020, 7:56 PM

I don't get wanting Suicide Squad, who are little more than gun wielding mercenaries, to fight actual gods. They're black ops teams. I hope Gunn keeps it decently grounded as far as the threat goes

aresww3 - 11/2/2020, 12:11 AM

I would have prefer Gavin O'conner take on this material than James Gunn. A mission in Kandaq would have been awesome.

But I hope Dwayne gets this idea out of his head that he should be fighting the whole of DC. He's a Shazam antagonist.

parkerray - 11/2/2020, 1:13 AM

Black Adam should’ve been cast with an actual actor. He could’ve been as unforgettable as Hiddleston’s Loki.

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Gavin O'Connor's THE SUICIDE SQUAD Was Set To Feature Black Adam As The Lead Antagonist

James Gunn is putting the finishing touches to The Suicide Squad, and while we have a pretty good idea of who the villain will be, Gavin O'Connor's version would have seen Task Force X battling Black Adam!

10. Javelin

9. Rick Flag

8. A.R.G.U.S.

7. Bloodsport

6. Ratcatcher 2

5. King Shark

4. Katana

3. Harley Quinn

2. Captain Boomerang

1. Deadshot

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THE SUICIDE SQUAD Star Daniela Melchior On Ratcatcher's DCU Future: "I Can't Wait To Wake Her Up"

Margot Robbie Eyeing Lead Role In Olivia Wilde's AVENGELYNE Adaptation; POOR THINGS Scribe To Pen Script

SUPERMAN: Nathan Fillion On Why He's Perfectly Suited To Play GREEN LANTERN Guy Gardner

THE SUICIDE SQUAD Star Daniela Melchior On Ratcatcher's DCU Future: "I Can't Wait To Wake Her Up"

Margot Robbie Eyeing Lead Role In Olivia Wilde's AVENGELYNE Adaptation; POOR THINGS Scribe To Pen Script

SUPERMAN: Nathan Fillion On Why He's Perfectly Suited To Play GREEN LANTERN Guy Gardner

THE SUICIDE SQUAD Star Daniela Melchior On Ratcatcher's DCU Future: "I Can't Wait To Wake Her Up"

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