If the lead characters of Suicide Squad weren’t enough for you, the film is rapidly filling up with more villains that aren’t even members of the titular team. Over the past several weeks, reports have trickled in about bad guys from all around the DC universe who will be making appearances in the movie, from demented psychiatrist Hugo Strange to mercenary Deathstroke. Now the latest criminal to join the film’s ensemble is evidently Batman adversary Killer Croc.
The Wrap has learned that G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra star Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje has been cast as the reptilian villain in Suicide Squad. The article doesn’t specify what role he will play in the film’s plot, but if it’s similar to what we’ve heard about El Diablo and King Shark, then Killer Croc may end up being one of the film’s many incarcerated supervillains. On the other hand, two of the film’s major characters are fellow Batman villains Joker and Harley Quinn, so perhaps there will be a scene of him interacting with them in Gotham City before they get wrapped up with Amanda Waller and the Squad. Perhaps this could also be foreshadowing for seeing Killer Croc eventually appear in one of the Batman solo films.
In the comics, Killer Croc’s outward appearance is a byproduct of being born with reptilian traits as a result of a condition known as atavism. His hardened skin grants him enhanced vulnerability, and he also has super-strength, a healing factor and razor-sharp claws and teeth. With powers like these, it’s no wonder that he typically fights Batman and other superheroes with brute force and instinct rather than use his mind. Over the years, the character’s look has morphed from simply having ugly, scaly skin to looking more like an actual humanoid crocodile.
Although this is will be Killer Croc’s live-action debut, the character has had quite a history outside the realm of comic books. He has previously appeared in animated projects like Batman: The Animated Series, The Batman, Batman: Gotham Knight and Son of Batman, and was also a supporting antagonist in the video games Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham Origins.
It should also be noted that this won’t be Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s first foray into the world of comic book movies. He notably played Malekith’s lieutenant Algrim in 2013’s Thor: The Dark World - who eventually transforms into the monstrous Kurse. Since his character wound up being very dead by the end of that movie, there shouldn’t really be any Marvel vs. DC concerns. Other films the actor has recently appeared in include The Thing, Pompeii and Annie. You can see him soon in Game of Thrones Season 5 as Malko and the upcoming sports drama Concussion (which will also feature Suicide Squad’s Will Smith).
Suicide Squad is ramping up to production now, and Warner Bros. currently has it on track to hit theaters on August 5, 2016.
