Suicide Squad (2016 film)

Production and Development

The film's journey to the screen began in February 2009 when Warner Bros. placed a Suicide Squad film into development with Dan Lin as producer and Justin Marks as screenwriter. David Ayer officially signed on to write and direct in September 2014, famously describing his vision for the project as 'Dirty Dozen with supervillains'. The production faced a significant challenge when Ayer had to rewrite the screenplay in approximately six weeks after the planned inclusion of the villain Steppenwolf, intended to connect to Justice League, was scrapped due to changes in that film's story. The casting process commenced in October 2014, with Warner Bros. initially offering roles to a slate of major stars including Ryan Gosling, Tom Hardy, Margot Robbie, and Will Smith. By December 2014, the core cast was announced, though several key roles saw changes before filming began.

Tom Hardy was originally cast as Colonel Rick Flag Jr. but was forced to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with his role in The Revenant, a decision he later expressed disappointment over. Jake Gyllenhaal was offered the part but declined, leading to Joel Kinnaman's confirmation in February 2015. Viola Davis was cast as Amanda Waller after the studio considered Octavia Spencer and Oprah Winfrey for the role, with Davis publicly expressing her fascination with the character's psychology and strength. Other casting confirmations in early 2015 included Jay Hernandez as El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc, and Karen Fukuhara as Katana. Ben Affleck's involvement, reprising his role as Bruce Wayne/Batman, was confirmed in January 2016.

• February 2009: Film enters development at Warner Bros.
• September 2014: David Ayer signs on to write and direct.
• October 2014: Initial casting offers made to Ryan Gosling, Tom Hardy, Margot Robbie, and Will Smith.
• December 2014: Main cast officially announced.
• January 2015: Tom Hardy drops out. Viola Davis expresses interest in Amanda Waller.
• February 2015: Joel Kinnaman confirmed as Rick Flag. Jay Hernandez joins cast.
• March 2015: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Karen Fukuhara cast.
• January 2016: Ben Affleck confirmed to appear as Batman.

Filming and Locations

Principal photography for Suicide Squad began on April 13, 2015, in Toronto, Ontario, providing a significant production boost to the Canadian film industry. The shoot utilized numerous downtown locations, transforming the city into the fictional Midway City. Key scenes were filmed at Hy's Steakhouse on April 26 and 27, and a sequence depicting a snowstorm was shot on Adelaide Street and in Ching Lane on April 29. One of the most notable filming events occurred on May 5, when major scenes were shot in the area next to Yonge and Dundas Square, a central Toronto landmark. After wrapping in Toronto, the production moved for additional filming in Chicago, Illinois, before principal photography concluded on August 28, 2015.

The visual effects for the film were a collaborative effort handled by several studios, including Moving Picture Company, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Mammal Studios, and Ollin VFX. Supervision was provided by Robert Winter, Mark Breakspaer, Gregory D. Liegey, Charlie Iturriaga, and Jerome Chen as the Production Supervisor. The extensive use of Toronto as a primary filming location highlighted the city's capacity to double for American settings and its importance to large-scale Hollywood productions, contributing local economic activity and employment within the Canadian film sector. The production schedule was intensive, with the crew working across multiple city blocks to create the film's action sequences.

Post-Production and Reshoots

The post-production phase for Suicide Squad was notably troubled, marked by editorial changes, studio interference, and costly reshoots. Original editor John Gilroy left the project in early 2016, leading producer Charles Roven to recommend editor Lee Smith to director David Ayer. Smith created a director's cut based on Gilroy's assemblies, which ran approximately 143 minutes, featured a linear narrative, and used only Steven Price's score for music. This version was described as having a militaristic tone similar to Black Hawk Down. Concurrently, Warner Bros. executives worked on a separate, more light hearted cut of the film with assistance from the company that made the film's teaser trailer.

After test screenings showed near-identical reactions to both Ayer's somber cut and the studio's more comedic version, Warner Bros. ordered extensive reshoots to create a consensus between the two visions. These reshoots, written by DC Comics chief creative officer Geoff Johns, commenced in 2016 and were reported to have cost as much as $22 million, far exceeding the typical $6 to $10 million for additional filming. The reshoots included an almost entirely new third act and alterations to scenes featuring Harley Quinn and the Joker to make their relationship appear less abusive and more appealing to a teenage audience. Director Zack Snyder also filmed a cameo scene with Ezra Miller as the Flash in London while shooting Justice League, which was integrated into the film. Ayer confirmed the film was completed on June 24, 2016, later publicly disowning the theatrical release and attributing its flaws to extensive studio interference that compromised his original vision.

Plot Synopsis

Set in the aftermath of Superman's death, the film follows ruthless intelligence officer Amanda Waller as she convinces the U.S. government to authorize Task Force X, a team of incarcerated supervillains controlled via nanite bombs implanted in their necks. The squad is intended to combat metahuman threats in exchange for reduced sentences. Waller's first asset is Dr. June Moone, an archaeologist possessed by the ancient witch Enchantress, whom Waller controls by seizing her magical heart. When Enchantress betrays Waller, conquering Midway City and summoning her brother Incubus to destroy humanity, Waller activates the Suicide Squad.

The team deployed includes expert marksman Deadshot, the Joker's crazed girlfriend Harley Quinn, thief Captain Boomerang, pyrokinetic former gangster El Diablo, mutant cannibal Killer Croc, and assassin Slipknot. They are led into the field by military colonel Rick Flag, who is secretly in love with June Moone, and his bodyguard Katana. Upon arriving in Midway City, the team's helicopter is shot down, and Flag demonstrates the lethality of the neck bombs by executing Slipknot when he attempts to escape. Fighting through Enchantress's mutated soldiers, the squad learns their true mission is to rescue Amanda Waller herself. During extraction, the Joker attacks to free Harley Quinn, though his helicopter is shot down. Believing him dead, Harley rejoins the team.

After Enchantress captures Waller to retrieve her heart, the squad discovers Flag's connection to Moone and briefly abandons the mission. In an abandoned bar, El Diablo confesses that his powers led to the death of his family. The team ultimately chooses to prove themselves by attacking Enchantress. In the final battle, Killer Croc and Navy SEALs plant a bomb to kill Incubus, while El Diablo sacrifices himself by using his full pyrokinetic power to hold the creature in place. Harley Quinn pretends to join Enchantress to get close enough to cut out her heart, which Flag then crushes, defeating the witch and freeing June Moone. Waller reduces each squad member's sentence by ten years. In a post credits scene, the Joker, revealed to be alive, breaks into Belle Reve penitentiary and rescues Harley Quinn.

Cast and Characters

The ensemble cast of Suicide Squad brought a roster of DC Comics villains and anti heroes to life, led by several major actors. Will Smith portrayed Floyd Lawton / Deadshot, an expert marksman and assassin motivated by a desire to provide for his young daughter. Jared Leto took on the role of the Joker, delivering a modernized, tattooed interpretation of Batman's nemesis. Leto remained in character throughout the entire filming process. Margot Robbie starred as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn, the Joker's former psychiatrist turned partner in crime, a role that would define her career and lead to a successful spin off film.

Joel Kinnaman played the straight laced military leader Colonel Rick Flag Jr., who is tasked with overseeing the squad in the field. Viola Davis delivered a critically acclaimed performance as the formidable and manipulative government official Amanda Waller. The squad was rounded out by Jai Courtney as the boomerang wielding Australian thief Digger Harkness / Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez as the guilt ridden pyrokinetic Chato Santana / El Diablo, and Adewale Akinnuoye Agbaje as the reptilian mutant Waylon Jones / Killer Croc. Karen Fukuhara made her film debut as the heroic swordswoman Tatsu Yamashiro / Katana, while Cara Delevingne played the dual role of Dr. June Moone and the powerful entity Enchantress. The film also featured cameo appearances by Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne / Batman and Ezra Miller as Barry Allen / The Flash.

Release and Box Office Performance

Suicide Squad held its world premiere in New York City on August 1, 2016, before its wide theatrical release in the United States on August 5, 2016, by Warner Bros. Pictures. It remained the number one film in North America for two consecutive weekends, demonstrating strong initial audience interest driven by marketing and the popularity of its characters, particularly Harley Quinn. Internationally, the film also performed robustly, with major earnings from markets including the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico. Produced on a budget of $175 million, the film was a definitive commercial success, becoming the tenth highest grossing film of 2016 globally. Its financial performance ensured the viability of the Suicide Squad franchise within the DC Extended Universe, leading directly to the development of subsequent films. The box office trajectory showed a significant drop in earnings after the first two weeks, which analysts often attributed to the film's negative critical reception, but its strong start cemented its status as a major pop culture event of the year.

Critical Reception and Accolades

Upon release, Suicide Squad received predominantly negative reviews from film critics, who criticized its narrative structure, character development, and tonal inconsistencies. Many reviews pointed to the evident studio interference and reshoots as detrimental to the film's coherence. Despite the critical panning, the film found a more receptive audience among general moviegoers, and its distinct visual style and performances, particularly by Margot Robbie and Viola Davis, were frequently highlighted as positive elements. The film's soundtrack, featuring popular songs like 'Heathens' by Twenty One Pilots, was also commercially successful and well received.

Suicide Squad achieved a significant milestone at the 89th Academy Awards, where it won the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling. This victory made it the first and, as of its time, only film in the DC Extended Universe to win an Academy Award. The film received numerous other accolades from various industry organizations, recognizing its technical achievements in hair, makeup, and visual effects. The disconnect between its awards success, commercial performance, and critical reception became a central point of discussion about modern blockbuster filmmaking and the influence of studio mandates on creative vision.

• Academy Award: Won Best Makeup and Hairstyling (2017).
• Critics' Choice Movie Awards: Nominated for Best Actress in an Action Movie (Margot Robbie).
• Empire Awards: Nominated for Best Female Newcomer (Cara Delevingne).
• Hollywood Music in Media Awards: Won Best Original Song in a Sci Fi/Fantasy/Horror Film ('Heathens').
• Make Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards: Won Best Special Makeup Effects.
• Teen Choice Awards: Won Choice Movie: Villain (Jared Leto) and Choice Movie: Scene Stealer (Margot Robbie).

Franchise Impact and Legacy

Despite its mixed reception, Suicide Squad had a substantial and lasting impact on the DC Extended Universe and popular culture. The film successfully introduced movie audiences to Amanda Waller and a live action version of the Task Force X concept, establishing a foundation for future stories. Most notably, Margot Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn was widely celebrated, resonating powerfully with audiences and critics alike. Her performance was credited with driving much of the film's appeal and directly led to her starring role in the 2020 spin off film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which further explored the character's independence from the Joker.

The film's commercial success guaranteed the continuation of the franchise, though in a reconfigured form. Director James Gunn was enlisted to write and direct a soft reboot sequel, The Suicide Squad, released in 2021. This film featured a largely new cast but retained several characters from the 2016 film, including Robbie's Harley Quinn, Davis's Amanda Waller, and Courtney's Captain Boomerang, creating a loose continuity. The film's mid credits scene, featuring Bruce Wayne obtaining metahuman files from Waller, served as a direct narrative link to the formation of the Justice League, integrating the squad into the broader DCEU mythology. The enduring popularity of the characters, especially Harley Quinn, has also led to a continued presence in video games, animation, and merchandise, cementing the film's legacy as a key launchpad for DC's villain centred stories.

Questions about Suicide Squad (2016 film)

Where was Suicide Squad filmed in Canada?

Suicide Squad filmed extensively in Toronto, Ontario. Principal photography began there on April 13, 2015. Specific locations included Hy's Steakhouse, Adelaide Street and Ching Lane for a snowstorm scene, and the area around Yonge and Dundas Square, where major scenes were shot on May 5. The city served as the primary stand in for the fictional Midway City before production moved to Chicago for additional filming.

Why did David Ayer disown the Suicide Squad movie?

Director David Ayer publicly disowned the theatrical release of Suicide Squad, citing extensive studio interference that compromised his original vision. The post production process involved Warner Bros. creating a separate, more light hearted cut of the film. After both versions tested similarly, the studio ordered costly reshoots to blend the two tones, altering the third act and the depiction of Harley Quinn and the Joker's relationship. Ayer has stated these changes fundamentally ruined the film he intended to make.

Who played the Joker in Suicide Squad and how did he prepare?

Jared Leto played the Joker in Suicide Squad. For preparation, Leto remained in character throughout the entire filming process, a method that surprised his co stars. He spent time alone, listened to 1920s gospel music, and read literature on shamanism. Influences for his modernized, tattooed look included the work of filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky and musician David Bowie. Leto described the role as 'nearly Shakespearean' and a 'beautiful disaster of a character'.

What is the connection between Suicide Squad and the later movie The Suicide Squad?

The Suicide Squad (2021) is a standalone sequel and soft reboot to the 2016 film. It shares a loose continuity with the original, featuring a mostly new team but retaining several characters. These returning characters include Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, and Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang. It is not a direct narrative continuation but is based on the same core concept of the Task Force X program.

Did Suicide Squad win any major awards?

Yes, Suicide Squad won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling at the 89th Academy Awards. This achievement made it the only film in the DC Extended Universe to have won an Academy Award. The film also received numerous other accolades from various organizations. Its recognition at the Oscars highlighted the technical artistry involved in creating the distinctive looks for characters like Killer Croc and the Joker. Despite receiving mostly negative reviews from critics, this award win remains a significant accomplishment for the production.

How much money did Suicide Squad make at the box office?

Suicide Squad was a box office success, grossing $749 million worldwide on a production budget of $175 million. This financial performance secured its position as the tenth highest grossing film of 2016 globally. The film premiered in New York City on August 1, 2016, and was released widely in the United States on August 5 by Warner Bros Pictures. Its strong commercial performance demonstrated significant audience interest, which led to the development of subsequent films like Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad, despite the movie's generally negative critical reception.

Sources and further reading

• Suicide Squad (2016 film) (Wikipedia)
• Suicide Squad (2016) directed by David Ayer (letterboxd.com)
• Suicide Squad (2016) (dc.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-01.