James Gunn’s Initial Pitch To Warner Bros. Featured Superman Facing Off Against The Suicide Squad

With James Gunn’s first entry into the DC Extended Universe, The Suicide Squad, finally hitting theaters and HBO Max this past weekend, fans and critics alike have shown a favorable liking towards the film despite the box office numbers being where they are. The Suicide Squad serves as a sequel/soft reboot (of sorts) to David Ayer‘s original, and much more maligned, Suicide Squad that was released back in 2016 and from the franchise’s point of view, hiring Gunn was a no-brainer for Warner Bros. given Gunn’s uncanny ability to turn the most obscure comic book characters into heavyweights at the box office. At the time Gunn was hired, it was reported that WB’s gave the director free choice over any project he desired, and if the director’s recent comments are to be believed, it sounds like his initial pitch to Warner Bros. was much more engrained in the larger DC Extended Universe.

James Gunn recently sat down with German website, Filmstarts, to touch upon his role in bringing Task Force X back to the big screen, and in the interview, the director confirms that his original pitch to WB was a Suicide Squad vs Superman film.

“When I started writing The Suicide Squad, one idea was that they would fight Superman. The Suicide Squad has to catch Superman for some reason. That was all, just a vague idea. It’s gotten out of hand or is being controlled by someone. And then this group of lousy super villains has to face the most powerful hero in the world. I like this idea and if DC does this sequel, then please not without me.”

Director James Gunn on his initial pitch to WB’s for the next Suicide Squad film. Via Filmstarts.

It seems like the prospect of the Suicide Squad taking on the Last Son of Krypton was an idea that was introduced very early on in the writing process because (Spoiler Warning ahead) the film sees the team take on Starro the Conqueror towards the film’s conclusion with all but one Blood Sport centered reference to the Man of Steel. Nonetheless the idea of a rogue Superman, or even the Justice League facing off against the Suicide Squad is nothing short of epic, however the director himself quickly casted doubt on the idea by acknowledging the current unknown climate of the DCEU’s Justice League in a interview with CNA Lifestyle.

“I’d have to think about that. I haven’t put any thought into a Suicide Squad vs. Justice League movie, but it’s not a bad idea, but I think I gotta figure out who the Justice League is first because I have no clue. I’m here in the middle of DC [and] people are always asking me, ‘Is Henry Cavill still Superman?’ I don’t know who Superman is, who knows!“

James Gunn on the prospect of pinning the Justice League versus the Suicide Squad in a future DCEU film. Via CNA Lifestyle.

Nonetheless, given The Suicide Squad’s currently underwhelming box office performance, it is hard to say when exactly fans will get to see Amanda Waller and and her precious Task Force X will show up next in the current DCEU. For now, fans can catch James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad in theaters everywhere and exclusively on HBO Max.

Would you guys have rather seen a Superman vs the Suicide Squad movie? Do you think Task Force X will pop back up in the current DCEU? If so, where? As always sound off in the comment section below and don’t forget to stay tuned in right here at The Cultured Nerd for the latest news surrounding Task Force X’s cinematic future.