Overall, Suicide Squad was positioned as an origin film.
The movie starts by introducing Rick Flag, Vengeance Demon, and Enchantress, characters that were previously seen in Batman's trilogy, including Killer Croc, Deadshot, and Poison Ivy. Two other characters, Boomerang and Slipknot, are briefly introduced only to serve as cannon fodder, rounding out the initial Suicide Squad team.
Controlling a group of criminals' lives is easy, but forcing them to serve you with just the threat of death isn't enough.
One of the film's underlying themes is the formation and development of the Suicide Squad, including Rick Flag learning how to manage a group of criminals, the internal conflicts between the team members, and the potential camaraderie that develops after fighting side by side.
Natasha Kinski's Enchantress brings Val Kilmer's Rick Flag into the team, and conflict quickly arises.
After the battle with Vengeance Demon, Rick Flag realizes the limitations of human power and reluctantly agrees with Amanda Waller's plan to form the Suicide Squad using superpowered criminals. However, when he discovers that Waller wants to include Vengeance Demon—the very being who killed his teammates—Rick immediately resists.
This part of the movie delves into the backstory of Rafael Sandoval, the second-generation Vengeance Demon in DC Comics. Originally an ordinary gang member, Sandoval was betrayed by his comrades during a shootout with the police. After being imprisoned, he accidentally acquired the powers of Vengeance Demon. Unable to endure the bullying in prison, Sandoval erupted in rage, burning everyone around him to ashes and escaping, leading to the battle at the beginning of the film.
After some negotiation, Rick reluctantly accepts Vengeance Demon into the team.
The team also includes Enchantress, who has no choice but to serve as a slave since her heart is literally in Amanda Waller's hands; Killer Croc, Deadshot, and Poison Ivy, who were all thrown into Arkham Asylum by Batman.
Unlike Killer Croc and Deadshot, who are pure criminals, Poison Ivy saved the world in The Dark Knight Rises but didn't receive a hero's treatment. After burning her life force to purify the Joker's toxin, Batman, believing she wasn't suited to live among humans, sent her to Arkham Asylum, promising her protection.
Before Amanda Waller appeared, Poison Ivy lived a comfortable life in Arkham, showcasing Waller's anti-hero characteristics.
Boomerang and Slipknot, weaker superpowered criminals captured by humans, serve as Waller's examples—one is used to make a point by having his head blown off, and the other dies in a later battle, acting as cannon fodder.
The team is assembled amid conflicts and immediately sent on a mission to retrieve what is believed to be a Mother Box from a private museum's underground vault in Metropolis.
Due to the sensitivity of the Mother Box, the federal government, lacking concrete evidence, has to resort to these covert means to retrieve it.
The informant? None other than Enchantress.
The movie doesn't shy away from hinting that Enchantress is actually the villain. From her first encounter with Rick Flag, he senses something off about her, and his doubts continue right up until the mission begins.
Privately, Enchantress reveals the truth: she is leading Amanda Waller to an ancient magical box that seals her master, "Nightmare Demon," rather than a Mother Box. Enchantress wants to release her master but lacks the power to do so, so she pretends to submit to Waller, even sacrificing herself by handing over her heart.
In the comics, Nightmare Demon is Enchantress's brother, but during the scriptwriting process, Simon felt this relationship lacked conviction, so he changed it to master and servant.
With the plan set, the team sets out. Slipknot, who has just gained his freedom, tries to escape but is quickly killed by Waller, bringing the team down to seven members. The remaining villains soon showcase their skills, sneaking into the museum's underground vault.
This part of the plot brings the first major climax.
Catwoman makes an appearance.
Batman, having intercepted Waller's communications, sends Catwoman, an expert thief, to investigate, leading her to cross paths with the Suicide Squad.
Catwoman, played by Valeria Golino, has been a fan favorite since her debut in Batman Begins, and her popularity has remained high. Simon originally signed Golino for a three-film contract, two of which have already been used.
To ensure Catwoman could appear in future films, the DC team negotiated with Golino before Suicide Squad started filming, securing her for two more films with a total fee of $15 million.
This oversight on Simon's part highlights a lesson learned from Marvel's cinematic universe: Scarlett Johansson, who played Black Widow, earned $20 million, second only to Robert Downey Jr., due to her immense popularity and the initial short-term contract. Marvel learned from this and ensured future actors were signed to longer contracts.
Similarly, Simon initially thought a three-film contract with Valeria Golino would suffice, but he was wrong.
Fortunately, the ongoing collaboration between both parties has been positive. The $15 million fee for two films was acceptable to DC. Golino, aware of her situation, didn't demand an exorbitant sum. Catwoman's popularity was high but not irreplaceable, especially since Nicole Kidman's Poison Ivy was equally popular.
Had Golino refused to renew or demanded an outrageous fee, she would have only one more appearance left in the expansive DC cinematic universe, several years down the line. Moreover, given Daenerys Entertainment's dominance in Hollywood, a fallout would have meant the end of her career in the industry, effectively forcing her into early retirement.
The days when Hollywood stars could boss around studios and get whatever they wanted were long gone, especially with Daenerys Entertainment's rise.
With the contract renewed, Catwoman appeared in Suicide Squad.
Of course, for just over ten minutes of screen time, Golino easily pocketed the $5 million maximum fee stipulated in her contract, a payday that many top actresses could only envy.
In fact, the standard three-to-five-film contracts Simon signed with DC actors were intentional. He could have followed Marvel's approach, signing longer contracts at lower fees, but he didn't. Simon was planning for the day when the DC cinematic universe might become financially unsustainable due to high actor salaries.
When that day comes, it will be Marvel's time to shine.
Traditional Hollywood blockbusters typically pit good guys against bad guys, with audiences naturally siding with the good guys.
Suicide Squad flips this narrative.
In the comics, Catwoman has always been an anti-hero, but after teaming up with Batman several times, Selina Kyle is now considered part of the superhero roster.
Thus, the battle over the ancient magical box turns into a rare scenario where the villains are fighting the hero.
Given the combined strength of the Suicide Squad, defeating the lone Catwoman would be easy if they worked together. However, when they meet, only Rick Flag is fully committed. The other villains, still resentful of Amanda Waller, all subtly hold back.
Superpowered criminals aren't as easy to replace as cannon fodder. As long as they don't openly betray the mission, even Poison Ivy flirting with Catwoman doesn't provoke Waller's wrath.
But in the end, Catwoman couldn't overcome the odds of seven against one and failed to steal the ancient magical box.
The battle triggered the museum's alarm system. Amidst the chaos, both Catwoman and the Suicide Squad retreated. During the scuffle, Poison Ivy defied Waller's orders and helped Catwoman escape, passing along a message for Batman: she needed an explanation.
With the mission complete, the Suicide Squad members were temporarily returned to Arkham Asylum, while the ancient magical box, disguised as a Mother Box by Enchantress's illusions, was brought to the squad's headquarters.
Then, Enchantress betrays the team.
Nightmare Demon is released and escapes into Metropolis.
Recently freed from imprisonment, Nightmare Demon is weak, giving Amanda Waller a chance to correct her mistake by sending the Suicide Squad after him.
During this mission, the Suicide Squad begins to form some level of cohesion.
The second piece of cannon fodder, Boomerang, also dies during this operation.
Finally, Enchantress sacrifices herself, allowing Nightmare Demon to fully recover, threatening the entire city of Metropolis.
The ultimate showdown begins.
Even the fire-controlling Vengeance Demon is no match for the city-destroying Nightmare Demon, forcing Poison Ivy to take the lead once again.
Having saved the world once at the cost of burning her life away, only to be imprisoned, and now forced to be someone else's pawn, Poison Ivy isn't willing to cooperate without a fight. She negotiates with Amanda Waller, ultimately agreeing to help. The remaining members—Killer Croc, Deadshot, and Vengeance Demon—also reveal their villainous nature by demanding various conditions.
In the end, justice—oh no, evil triumphs over evil.
After defeating Nightmare Demon, the anti-hero Amanda Waller betrays Poison Ivy, ordering Rick Flag to take them all back into custody.
Catwoman reappears, helping Poison Ivy remove the bomb implanted in her neck, and the two escape together. Batman makes a surprise voice cameo in the final scene, issuing a warning to Amanda Waller.
The story concludes.
As the credits roll, the audience at the Chinese Theatre feels a sense of wanting more.
Filmmakers contemplate how to draw inspiration from another special effects blockbuster.
Journalists ponder how to write their reviews for tomorrow.
Fans and comic book enthusiasts are left with a mix of emotions. Some are captivated by Enchantress's beauty, others are awed by Nightmare Demon's power, and some are lost in the
film's many intricate details. Others are intrigued by the hinted relationship between Catwoman and Poison Ivy.
Despite this, there's a sense of loss. With the bomb removed from Poison Ivy's neck, it means Nicole Kidman's character won't appear in the next Suicide Squad film. Similarly, Enchantress, who also served as eye candy, dies in this film. Fans are left wondering which female villains will appear in the next installment.
As these thoughts swirl, the credits come to an end, and the screen lights up.
A post-credits scene.
Everyone perks up.
The remaining members—Deadshot, Killer Croc, and Vengeance Demon—are returned to Arkham Asylum. Amanda Waller fulfills the relatively modest promises made to the three.
In adjacent mountain cells, Deadshot's bank account is unfrozen, and the money he earned as a hitman is set up as a trust fund for his daughter. He is seen contentedly reading letters from her. Vengeance Demon, seated cross-legged in his cell, seems lost in the tarot cards now in his possession. Killer Croc, housed between the two, has a wall-mounted TV playing a sitcom.
The camera zooms in.
On the TV screen is none other than Friends, produced by Daenerys Entertainment.
As Rachel and Chandler bicker on screen, the asylum is suddenly thrown into chaos—gunfire, footsteps, and explosions create a cacophony of noise.
The three villains remain unbothered, seemingly unconcerned by the commotion.
Killer Croc, watching the screen, suddenly pounds the wall with his fist, catching the attention of the others. In a gruff voice, he says, "Hey, Deadshot, don't you think our team is missing a jokester?"
As soon as he finishes speaking, amidst the ongoing chaos, a maniacal and deranged woman's laughter echoes through Arkham Asylum.
"Ha ha... Ha ha ha... Ha ha ha ha ha ha..."
In the neighboring cell, Deadshot pauses, then nods towards the direction of the laughter: "You mean, like that?"
The screen goes dark.
The movie is officially over.
Even those in the Chinese Theatre who know nothing about DC Comics are left feeling creeped out by the woman's laughter and filled with a strange sense of anticipation.
Fans and comic book readers, however, are ecstatic.
As soon as the laughter echoed through the theatre, many fans had a name flash through their minds: Harley Quinn.
After The Dark Knight Rises in the summer, River Phoenix's portrayal of the Joker left a deep impression on audiences. In Suicide Squad, attentive viewers noticed that when Amanda Waller and Rick Flag were recruiting Suicide Squad members at Arkham Asylum, a certain graceful figure was seen conducting a psychological evaluation of a criminal.
Now, connecting the post-credits scene and comic book lore, many realize that was Harley Quinn.
Those who had been lamenting Nicole Kidman's departure as Poison Ivy in the sequel now found their excitement reignited at the prospect of Harley Quinn's appearance.
The lights come on.
Amidst the sustained applause, the film's creators take the stage for the Q&A session.
The first question comes from a journalist who directly asks what everyone is wondering: was the voice in the post-credits scene Harley Quinn's, will she be the female lead in the next Suicide Squad film, and who will play the role?
While Harley Quinn's appearance was confirmed, other details remained unanswered.
This was to be expected.
No one was disappointed, though, as more questions were asked. The planned fifteen-minute Q&A session stretched over twenty minutes due to the enthusiasm of the audience and media.
When the interaction finally ended, the premiere was successfully concluded.
Those with invitations headed to the nearby hotel for the after-party, while most attendees went their separate ways. Meanwhile, on the internet, news about the Suicide Squad premiere quickly became a trending topic.
_________________________
[Check out my Patreon for +200 additional chapters in all my fanfics! $5 for all!!]
[w w w . p a t r e o n .com / INNIT]
[+50 PowerStones = +1 Chapter] [+5 Reviews = +1 Chapter]