"We've got a freakin' Kaiju up in this shit!"
Back when The Suicide Squad was shooting, some revealing set photos led to speculation that Starro would be making an appearance in the movie, and today's bonkers trailer confirmed that the character will indeed feature as one of the villains.
We don't know if the monstrous alien will serve as the main antagonist, but if he's anything like his comic book counterpart, Starro "The Conqueror" will be more than enough for Task Force X to contend with.
Starro was actually the first villain the original Justice League of America faced following his debut in Brave and the Bold issue #28 back in 1960. Despite his somewhat comical appearance (there's no getting around the fact that he resembles a giant purple starfish), the alien invader proved to be a formidable opponent for even the most powerful members of the JLA.
The trailer only gave us a quick glimpse of the gigantic creature doing his best Godzilla impression, but it's not his immense size or brute force that makes him a potentially world-ending threat. Starro has the psychic ability to control and manipulate individuals, and spawn smaller "spores" that latch onto a host's face, turning them into mindless puppets.
Throw in limitless regenerative powers which allow him to heal from virtually any injury, and it's safe to say Harley and the gang are going to have their work cut out trying to take the big bastard down.
Starro made several animated appearances in the likes of Young Justice, Batman Beyond and Superman: The Animated Series, but this will actually be the second time he's been depicted in live-action, having made a brief cameo in the pilot episode of NBC's now defunct Powerless TV series.
If you missed the new trailer or just want another look at Starro in action, you can check out the red band teaser down below.
"Welcome to hell — a.k.a. Bell Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out — even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today's do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin, and everyone's favorite pyscho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese."
"Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and- destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave...and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them."
The Suicide Squad is set to premiere on HBO Max and in theaters on August 6.