DC Studios has released The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?, a one-off podcast special to mark DC Super Villains Month, looking back on the 2021 DC Extended Universe release. Hosted by writer/director James Gunn with cast members Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee, it seeks to answer the question: is the film, that’s since been followed up by Peacemaker and Creature Commandos, actually canon to the current DCU?
While revisiting the making of the film, Gunn and his co-hosts unpack points of contention, such as whether Idris Elba‘s Bloodsport could’ve still put Superman in the ICU now that Henry Cavill‘s Man of Steel has been replaced by the younger version played by David Corenswet, or if the revelations about Emilia Harcourt (Holland) on Peacemaker season two contradicts her characterization in the film.
While we’ll let you discover what Gunn decides by the end of the hour-long podcast for yourself, the DC Studios co-CEO admits the uncertainty of Margot Robbie‘s future as Harley Quinn puts “one small asterisk” on the film’s status. During the podcast, he states that if Robbie no longer wants to play her, then he wouldn’t want a new actor to be saddled with the backstory of her take. “So what I’m saying is Margot is the one who has to decide whether or not Suicide Squad is canon.”
Gunn also discusses casting the DCU’s Batman, stating he’ll be around the same age as Corenswet, 33. “I don’t think that they’re drastically different ages, they’re future best pals,” he says. He also opines (in what may be a controversial statement), “One of the things that excites me about casting Batman is being able to, you know, pick a Batman who’s actually the best actor for that role. You know, Supermans have always been chosen based on who the best actor for that role is. And for some reason, Batmans are always chosen as movie stars.”
The Suicide Squad was released on August 6, 2021, and despite flopping at the box office, tied with Shazam! to become the second most well-reviewed DCEU movie (after Wonder Woman). Its next follow-up, Creature Commandos season two, is expected to premiere on HBO Max next year, while Gunn’s next film, the Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow, will arrive in theaters on July 9, 2027. The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson‘s incarnation of the Dark Knight, will follow on February 18, 2028.
