THE SUICIDE SQUAD BTS Photos Indicate That Deathstroke Was Originally Going To Lead The Team

THE SUICIDE SQUAD BTS Photos Indicate That Deathstroke Was Originally Going To Lead The Team

Well, this is interesting. Some BTS photos from an early The Suicide Squad production meeting have seemingly confirmed that James Gunn was originally planning to have Deathstroke lead Task Force X.

By MarkCassidy - Aug 10, 2021 07:08 AM EST
Filed Under: The Suicide Squad

Deathstroke actor Joe Manganiello has claimed in the past that several Suicide Squad script drafts (for David Ayer's 2016 movie, presumably) featured Slade Wilson, and we now seemingly have confirmation that this idea carried over until well into the pre-production phase on James Gunn's R-rated reboot/sequel.

We're not certain where these shots originated from, but what appear to be some behind-the-scenes photos from a The Suicide Squad production meeting have been shared online, and the concept art visible on the wall to the right of Gunn clearly shows Deathstroke leading "Team 2" into action.

It looks like he's flanked by Peacemaker, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man and Ratcatcher 2, so we assume the original plan was to have the ruthless mercenary take command of Task Force X before Idris Elba's Bloodsport took over.

Manganiello's take on Deathstroke was introduced in the post-credits scene of the theatrical cut of Justice League, and he'd go on to film new scenes for the "Snyder Cut." Did Warner Bros. feel that bringing this character into Gunn's film created too many ties to the SnyderVerse, perhaps?

Gunn is usually pretty open about this kind of thing on social media, so we may find out what went down soon enough.

The Suicide Squad is now playing in theaters and on HBO Max. You can check out our 5-star review below.

THE SUICIDE SQUAD Star Daniela Melchior Joins Paul Rudd & Jack Black In ANACONDA Remake
Related:

THE SUICIDE SQUAD Star Daniela Melchior Joins Paul Rudd & Jack Black In ANACONDA Remake

THE SUICIDE SQUAD: Margot Robbie Returns As Harley Quinn...For An Ultra-Realistic Hot Toys Action Figure
Recommended For You:

THE SUICIDE SQUAD: Margot Robbie Returns As Harley Quinn...For An Ultra-Realistic Hot Toys Action Figure

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/10/2021, 7:33 AM
So The Suicide Squad is one of those 6 projects Deathstroke was gonna appear in but didn't? Poor Joe probably has the record most times he didn't play a character.

Anyway, I don't feel Deathstroke would make an interesting Task Force X member. Especially considering he has to be captured in order for that first.
PapaSpank54
PapaSpank54 - 8/10/2021, 7:36 AM
@bkmeijer - maybe originally Batman would have put him in jail at the end of The Batfleck and he was to be in Squad 2 after that? Before they changed everything around.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/10/2021, 7:43 AM
@PapaSpank54 - yeah that could've been the case, although I assume they wouldn't have lead Gunn know considering he also had no idea about what was going on with Birds of Prey
Reeds2Much
Reeds2Much - 8/10/2021, 7:56 AM
@bkmeijer - Or it's just a picture in the background and doesn't mean anything. It happens.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 8/10/2021, 8:04 AM
@Reeds2Much - yeah, that's probably it
KingLeonidas
KingLeonidas - 8/10/2021, 8:48 AM
@bkmeijer - Joe's soul must be absolutely and totally crushed by now.
Batman5
Batman5 - 8/10/2021, 1:06 PM
@Reeds2Much - lol it’s got every other member from team 2 in the picture just as they are in the movie coming onto sure. Obviously that was the original plan.
globaltravels
globaltravels - 8/11/2021, 12:00 AM
@Reeds2Much - I mean... the one image under Team Two literally has him leading the team where Bloodsport ended up. So it's a tad more valid than Wonderman behind Schaeffer... ironically Wonderman was going to be played by Nathan Fillion, who ended up in Suicide Squad as TDK.
Origame
Origame - 8/11/2021, 10:55 AM
@Reeds2Much - I mean, this is definitely concept art and not just a random picture. I wouldn't say it means anything though. They were going through a lot of different ideas before what we got.
NightBoyWonder
NightBoyWonder - 8/10/2021, 7:36 AM
Woah, Elba as Deathstroke is something I didn’t know I needed. Ahhh man now I’m mad. He was great already but that would’ve just been the cherry on top
Cbmfilmjunkie
Cbmfilmjunkie - 8/10/2021, 7:39 AM
Ive seen the movie about five times already, twice in theaters and it’s so disappointing that it hasn’t made more money!
This is by far the best DCU movie.

But yeah, I’m glad we got bloodsport over deathstroke. Granted I haven’t seen enough of Joe’s portrayal but what Idris did with his character was phenomenal.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 8/10/2021, 8:13 AM
@Cbmfilmjunkie -

We will never get anything like this film in the MCU ever. The closest will be DP3. That Peacemaker vs Bloodsport scene where they “accidentally” kill the good guys is both hilarious and Uber dark all at once. This is a comic book film that only happens once every so often when a studio trusts a creative to do whatever the [frick] they want with it. It’s a [frick] you to test audiences type of film and I’m here for it.

If WB has any hope Hamada will give Gunn whatever he wants because he knows the pandy wandy and same day stream/piracy killed this release. Brilliant film. At least Gunn can take solace in what will end up the best reviewed comic book film of 2021.
SnideCut
SnideCut - 8/10/2021, 8:34 AM
@McMurdo - you have no way of knowing whether or not we'll 'ever' get anything like in the MCU. Especially considering the MCU is yet to have made their first R-rated movie, which Deadpool 3 is. Also, keeping the gore aside, while brilliant, the tone of The Suicide Squad is remarkably similar to The Guardians of the Galaxy.
1 2 3
View Recorder