The Suicide Squad: Michael Rooker in talks to play King Shark

Michael Rooker will reunite with director James Gunn in DC’s The Suicide Squad and play the role of King Shark.

Casting for Warner Bros. and DC’s The Suicide Squad is currently underway with a host of new and returning actors filling out the roster. Now, a new face is joining the film, but comic book movie fans are sure to recognize him.

TheWrap reports that Michael Rooker is currently in negotiations to join The Suicide Squad in the role of King Shark. The film reunites Rooker and James Gunn who have worked on several films together, including the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Neither Warner Bros. or Rooker’s representatives have commented on the matter.

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Rooker joins an ensemble cast that includes the returning Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, and Jai Courtney, along with franchise newcomers Idris Elba, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, and John Cena. Gunn will also direct from a screenplay he penned.

King Shark first appeared in DC Comics in the early ’90s and was conceived as a humanoid shark that was born to the Shark God. In his debut, he encountered Superboy and ending up losing to the young hero. He would later become a recurring antagonist of Aquaman. But it wasn’t until The New 52 reboot of the DC Universe that the character joined the Suicide Squad.

While this will be King Shark’s first big screen appearance, it won’t be his first live-action appearance. The monstrous villain has had a significant role in The CW’s The Flash. He was also featured in the animated films Superman/Batman: Public Enemies and Batman: Assault on Arkham.

Rooker has proven to be a versatile actor who has a knack for playing unconventional characters. Pairing this with his synergy with Gunn should make for an interesting take on a unique DC character. The Suicide Squad hits theaters on August 6, 2021.