One of Suicide Squad‘s biggest strengths is arguably also one of its biggest weaknesses: its ensemble cast. Never has a superhero film attempted to introduce such a large team in just one go, and it’s a team full of supervillains, at that. Screen time will be at a premium, so viewers might not have too much time to appreciate the transformations the actors went through to portray their characters.
David Ayer has assembled a strong cast to star in Suicide Squad: Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, Cara Delevingne, Jay Hernandez, Karen Fukuhara, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Adam Beach. Though some are instantly recognizable names, the rest will have to trust in Ayer to give them enough of the spotlight in the film.
The transformations the Suicide Squad cast members went through vary wildly "” from Leto fully immersing himself in the Joker and Akinnuoye-Agbaje getting heavy prosthetic makeup as Killer Croc, to Kinnaman and Beach donning Kevlar and toting guns as Rick Flag and Slipknot, respectively.
As the third installment in the DC Extended Universe finally hits cinemas on August 5, 2016, moviegoers will be looking to get to know this ragtag team of criminals forced to complete suicidal missions. We’ve compiled the following gallery to compare what each cast member had to undergo to look the part of his or her character.
Hit NEXT to check out what the Suicide Squad cast looks like in real life.
Will Smith as Deadshot
Deadshot, real name Floyd Lawton, is an expert marksman and master assassin. He’s a conflicted criminal, as he’s a mercenary who wants to do right by his daughter.
Smith had to shave his head for the movie, and is also seen wearing a white helmet and a red monocle in the movie. However, the biggest change for the actor is playing a villain, or at least an antihero, which he’s never done before.
As the most easily recognizable name in the movie, Will Smith really needs no introduction. Joining Suicide Squad is a big change of pace for him, since he’s never been one of the bad guys in his previous films.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn, real name Harleen Quinzel, is a former psychoanalyst who turned psycho after she fell in love with one of her patients, the Joker. Despite her antics, she’s both unpredictable and uncontrollable, making her perhaps the scariest in the Squad.
This is the debut film for the character, and Ayer created an all-new look for Harley after combing through her various costumes and versions in comics and animated series.
Margot Robbie looks set to become a household name after her role in The Wolf of Wall Street. She also starred in The Legend of Tarzan, released earlier this year.
Jared Leto as the Joker
The most talked-about transformation in the entire movie is Jared Leto’s turn as the Joker. The newest incarnation of the Clown Prince of Crime sees him sporting numerous tattoos and even a grill. Leto took the method acting route and never broke character the whole time they were filming, and he pulled off some pretty outrageous stunts like sending disgusting gifts to his co-stars.
And to think the Oscar-winning actor totally looked like Jesus before he got cast in Suicide Squad.
Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag
The no-nonsense field leader of Task Force X has to keep its members in check as they proceed with their mission, which he agrees to carry out despite not always seeing eye to eye with his boss, Amanda Waller.
Without Rick Flag’s goatee and military gear, Joel Kinnaman looks very respectable. The Swedish actor previously starred in the 2013 remake of RoboCop, and was also in AMC’s The Killing.
Jai Courtney as Boomerang
Captain Boomerang, real name George “Digger” Harkness, is an opportunistic thief and assassin who uses an assortment of deadly, you guessed it, boomerangs. He is a devious and ruthless Australian roughneck, and to portray him, Ayer told Courtney to “find your inner shitbag”.
Jai Courtney starred in several action movies, notably 2015’s Terminator Genisys and 2013’s A Good Day to Die Hard.
Cara Delevingne as Enchantress
In the movie, archeologist June Moone becomes possessed by the wicked and powerful witch called Enchantress, and the two struggle for control over her body. As Enchantress, Cara Delevingne looks, quite simply, dirty, and really not someone you’d wanna mess with.
The British fashion model-turned-actress starred in the adaptation of John Green’s novel Paper Towns.
Jay Hernandez as Diablo
Former L.A. gang member Chato Santana literally has the most explosive power in the team: the ability to create and manipulate fire. He accidentally killed his wife and children and seeks to do penance for his sins. With a fully-shaved skull and numerous facial tattoos, Diablo indeed looks devilish and you’d probably never guess who plays him.
It’s hard to recognize Jay Hernandez, who starred in the Hostel movies, underneath all that face paint.
Karen Fukuhara as Katana
Katana, real name Tatsu Yamashiro, is Rick Flag’s right-hand woman, and volunteers to keep the others in line. She’s a cold-blooded killer who wields Soultaker, a Samurai sword that can literally take the souls of its victims. Yikes.
Underneath the mask is Karen Fukuhara in her first ever feature film role.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc
Waylon Jones was afflicted with a skin disorder that gave him reptilian features and crocodilian appetites, turning him into the cannibalistic Killer Croc. Akinnuoye-Agbaje is truly unrecognizable under the heavy makeup that requires more than four hours to apply.
Game of Thrones fans may remember him appearing in a Season 5 episode as Malko, the captain of the slaver ship that captures Tyrion Lannister and Jorah Mormont.
Adam Beach as Slipknot
Slipknot, real name Christopher Weiss, is a chemist who develops a formula for super-durable ropes that he later uses as an assassin.
It’s unclear how much of the comic book character’s powers will be included in the film, and if the movie’s marketing is any indication, Adam Beach just might have the shortest screen time among the cast.
Suicide Squad will hit the theaters on August 5, 2016.
