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The Suicide Squad features some of the roughest characters the DC Extended Universe has to offer. Most of Task Force X’s members possess an assortment of deadly skills, but that also comes with some personal baggage. Take Idris Elba’s Bloodsport, who’s incarcerated for putting Superman in the ICU. Admittedly, it’s a pretty impressive feat, yet it’s still unclear as to whether it was Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel who was unfortunately hurt. With this, writer-director James Gunn has now chimed with some thoughts of his own.
Bloodsport and Superman’s history goes all the way back to DC’s Superman comics of the 1980s, which saw the former manipulated into assassinating the hero. While he would be unsuccessful in killing Superman, Bloodsport came close with the help of a Kryptonite needle. In The Suicide Squad, he’ll have used a bullet and, when asked if Henry Cavill’s version of Supes as at the receiving end of it, James Gunn had a relatively diplomatic response:
Bloodsport is in prison for putting Superman into the ICU with a kryptonite bullet. Yes, The Suicide Squad is a part of the DCEU, but I don't know which Superman it was because I don't cast the next Superman. So it could be Henry [Cavill]; it could be somebody else. It's whoever people decide on other than me.
So while James Gunn doubled down on the fact that The Suicide Squad does indeed take place in the DCEU, he couldn’t say for sure if Henry Cavill’s Superman was the hero in question. Gunn’s response to IGN is fair, and he may have gone that route as not to contradict the higher ups who manage the continuity. However, one would think that this Man of Steel would be Cavill’s, based on what we know about the DCEU, at this point in the timeline.
Yes, Henry Cavill’s future as the iconic character remains a mystery, but we know that Supes is still flying around somewhere in the cinematic universe. Even though Zack Snyder’s Justice League isn’t technically canon, Joss Whedon’s theatrical cut did still resurrect Superman. And by the end of that film, Clark Kent still seemed committed to his role as Earth’s protector. Both cuts of Justice League are available to stream on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.
Regardless of which Superman it is, it’s just nice that James Gunn kept Bloodsport’s connection to the hero intact. Idris Elba’s character has an interesting history, though Gunn didn’t hesitate in making a change or two. The director recently opened up about changing up the character’s look and the manner in which he utilizes his vast weaponry.
I think many of us would love to see a flashback scene that shows Bloodsport’s fight with Superman. The chances of such a thing seem slim, but James Gunn is likely to have other surprises that will delight DC fans of all ages. My hope is for a cameo or two from some major DCEU players.
The Suicide Squad hits theaters and HBO Max on August 6th.
