NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 01: Actress Viola Davis gives an autograph to a fan using the Samsung Tab S2 at the Premiere of “Suicide Squad” at Beacon Theatre on August 1, 2016 in New York, New York. (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images for Samsung)
Task Force X literally has a new director now that James Gunn is behind the camera for Suicide Squad 2, and he may want to think about making Amanda Waller the focus.
Fans of Warner Bros. and DC’s Suicide Squad have been patiently waiting for a follow-up to the 2016 DCEU blockbuster. Originally, it was Gavin O’Connor who was assigned to write and direct the sequel. However, Warner Bros dumped his script and decided to go in a new direction. Enter former Disney/Marvel director, James Gunn.
There was some major buzz following Warner Bros’ hiring of James Gunn following his firing from Disney. Fans of the MCU know Gunn for his take on Marvel Comics’ ragtag heroes, Guardians of the Galaxy. The success of the film and its sequel is why Warner Bros opted to bring him aboard for their comic book universe. More specifically, Gunn was brought on to direct Suicide Squad 2.
Early rumors suggested that James Gunn would reboot the original Suicide Squad. However, We Got This Covered shot down said rumors As a matter of fact, DCEU insider Daniel RPK suggested Gunn is likely to bring back some original faces:
"“Think more like G.I. Joe: Retaliation than a full-blown reboot. So It’ll be set in the same world, it’ll have some of the same actors but it’ll feel [fresh] and new.”"
With that said, fans can expect to see familiar faces like Will Smith and Margot Robbie, who expressed interest in reprising their roles. Smith and Robbie are two of the biggest names, so we understand why there was an urge to focus on them (see what I did there). Joining them in their return is Viola Davis who, as Amanda Waller, will allow her team to get away with murder — I’m on fire.
There are some new characters rumored to join Suicide Squad 2, but they shouldn’t become the focus. Instead, Davis’ Waller deserves to be the focal point of the sequel.
Amanda Waller was vastly misused and she deserves better
Despite Amanda Waller’s importance to Suicide Squad in DC Comics, her involvement in the film was underwhelming. While we saw her murder a couple of employees, she still didn’t seem like her powerful, cutthroat, and cunning, comic book self. Simply put, there was a lot left to be desired.
As a matter of fact, Amanda Waller spent most of the film trapped inside a building. Suicide Squad essentially made Waller a glorified damsel in distress. Although it didn’t start out that way.
Waller is first seen attempting to convince a Washington D.C. rep to allow her to start Task Force X. She presents a list of each Belle Reve inmate she wants to recruit. One of the recruits was Cara Delevingne’s June Moon, also known as Enchantress. Enchantress, however, had other plans with her brother. After being attacked by Enchantress’ brother in Midway City, Waller enlists the Suicide Squad to rescue her.
In the end, she’s rescued and everyone lives happily ever after. Not really, but it felt like that. In fact, most of Suicide Squad centered on Deadshot and Harley Quinn. There was underlying theme of family and acceptance. Waller, however, should mean more to the movie.
Viola Davis is a tremendously talented actress, and Waller is more than a damsel in distress. In fact, Gunn’s movie should dive deep into Waller’s mythos to show how strong of a woman she really is.
Amanda Waller’s tragic, yet amazing backstory makes her interesting
Who exactly is the DCEU’s Amanda Waller? Much of who Amanda Waller is remained a mystery in the original Suicide Squad. Suicide Squad 2 can fix the broken character that was the great Amanda Waller. Gunn should allow her story to become the catalyst that drives the film.
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In the pages of DC Comics Amanda Waller is a mother and widow. She and her family lived in the ghetto of Chicago. Her husband was murdered by the same man who killed her daughter. And her son, who was on scholarship, fell victim to gun violence.
Waller supported her remaining three children and put them through college. Wanting to break the cycle of violence, Waller simultaneously obtained a degree in political science. She would go on to work on congressional campaigns. She soon found herself in Washington D.C., working her way up the ranks. This is where she formulated the idea for Task Force X.
We saw part of that in the movie, when she sat down with the D.C. rep; it wasn’t enough. Imagine a film that focused on the strength of Waller surviving and overcoming her tragedy. Suicide Squad 2 can allow her strength and perseverance to carry her character. Moreover, we’d have a more empathetic understanding of who she is, as we did with Deadshot and El Diablo.
Doing this for Waller would give Suicide Squad 2 the focus the original film didn’t have. Her backstory is interesting and one that works well in a film. Additionally, Waller is more than just a character to feature in one film — she’s a franchise character.
SAN DIEGO, CA – JULY 23: Actors Adam Beach, Joel Kinnaman, Scott Eastwood, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jay Hernandez, Jai Courtney, Karen Fukuhara, Viola Davis, Will Smith, and Margot Robbie of ‘Suicide Squad’ pose with fans during a meet and greet at the Samsung Experience at San Diego Comic-Con 2016 at Hard Rock Hotel San Diego on July 23, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images for Samsung)
Amanda Waller could hold down the franchise
James Gunn did an excellent job with Guardians of the Galaxy by making Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) the central character. Despite having stars like Bradley Cooper and Zoe Saldana, the backstory of Pratt’s Star-Lord sets up the original movie and the sequel. The same thing should happen with Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad 2.
After all, she is the leader despite what the original movie suggested. While she doesn’t get her hands dirty (most of the time), there’s no question who the person in charge is. Amanda Waller should feel more powerful than those who actually have powers. Suicide Squad 2 should make Waller the glue that holds the film together. Additionally, this will allow Gunn to use Waller to softly reboot the franchise.
With Waller as the focus, new characters can be introduced. And, with Waller being the focal point their backstories won’t be as important. Instead, we can watch how Waller is gifted with one last chance to prove her Suicide Squad works.
Moreover, the DCEU is progressive in terms of pushing female characters to the forefront. DCEU President Walter Hamada and Gunn should work hand in hand to keep it up. Viola Davis and the character of Amanda Waller could do wonders not just for Suicide Squad 2 but for the DCEU.