DC Studios co-head James Gunn has answered a lingering question for the new DC Universe. The director behind last year’s Superman has finally addressed the status of 2021’s The Suicide Squad, which he also directed. More specifically, whether or not it’s canon within the new DCU. In short, yes it is. But there’s a big catch.
In a new one-off podcast episode, Gunn confirmed that the 2021 movie is canon. Mostly. It was made back when it was part of the former DCEU, aka the Snyderverse. When Gunn was chosen to help lead DC Studios, naturally, he wanted to lean on some of these characters. That’s why Peacemaker season 2 was fully in the DCU. The movie itself was somewhat in limbo though. Here’s what Gunn had to say about it.
“I think that The Suicide Squad is within the canon of the DCU. It’s decided. I’d say we have one small asterisk, which is what exactly is the future of Harley Quinn? I want to be given a little leeway with this by the fans, because I’m not sure exactly how that’s going to manifest itself.”
Margot Robbie played Harley Quinn in the first two Suicide Squad movies. The Suicide Squad had a massive cast and she was arguably the biggest star. She’s now an A-lister who is heavily in demand. “I love [Robbie] as Harley, I don’t know if she wants to play Harley again. She may be over that,” Gunn said.
The executive added that he wants to use Harley Quinn in the DCU though. That’s where things get complicated. Speaking further on the topic, he confirmed that he would welcome Robbie back in a heartbeat. Whether or not that’s possible is up in the air.
“If Margot wants to play her, I’ll bend over backwards to explain that in the world. But if she doesn’t, right, then I might go with somebody else, where I don’t have to be attached to what happens to Harley in this movie. That’s really the situation.”
Here is the synopsis for The Suicide Squad.
“Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.”
You can stream The Suicide Squad on HBO Max.
What do you think? Are you happy this movie is part of the new DCU canon? Would you like to see Margot Robbie back as Harley Quinn? Join in on the conversation over on Facebook or Instagram!
