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I think it’s fair to say The Suicide Squad pretty much has it all. Incredible action, massive gore, steamy romance, and genuine emotion. All of this is played out by an all-star cast, which features frequent James Gunn collaborators Michael Rooker and Nathan Fillion. The two had relatively small roles in the DC supervillain team-up film, but they certainly made the most of their screen time. And Gunn seems to have greatly appreciated their efforts, as evidenced by his sweet tribute to them.
Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker have had roles in all of James Gunn’s films and, in the process, they’ve played some pretty memorable roles. In The Suicide Squad, Rooker and Fillion play Savant and T.D.K., Task Force X members who are thrown into the action early in the film. Gunn celebrated the performances in the movie by posting an appreciative message and a set photo to Twitter. You can see the post down below:
It’s a special thing when a filmmaker forms a bond with their actors while working on a movie, and it’s even greater when they’re able to collaborate on multiple projects. James Gunn certainly appears to understand the value of having frequent co-workers and friends, and it’s lovely to see him spotlight their talents like this.
Most would probably agree that while working with James Gunn, both Michael Rooker and Nathan Fillion have had the opportunity to play some interesting characters. Slither’s Grant Grant and Super’s Holy Avenger are just a few examples of the wild roles Gunn has tapped the fan-favorite actors for. But their most recognizable Gunn roles arguably came in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, which introduced Michael Rooker’s Yondu Udonta. Fillion also played an ill-fated prison inmate, who gets on Rocket Raccoon and Groot’s bad side. Fillion also shot a cameo for the 2017 sequel, but it was cut from the final film.
Both actors were already well known, but one could argue that their involvement with James Gunn has only helped to elevate their stardom. Michael Rooker in particular has become a bit of a pop culture icon due to his performances as Yondu. I mean, I’m not the only one who still occasionally yells out “I’m Mary Poppins, y’all,” if the moment calls for it, right?
James Gunn’s next film is Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which is somewhat bittersweet, as it could mark his first film without Michael Rooker. Yondu met a heroic demise in Vol. 2, yet Gunn could theoretically revive him through a flashback. And of course, Nathan Fillion can still return in another cameo.
But before we get too caught up in that speculation, let’s simply relish the fact that James Gunn brought the two actors back for his DC Comics spectacle. You can see Michael Rooker and Nathan Fillion in action by checking out The Suicide Squad in theaters or by streaming on HBO Max, which you can sign up for using this link.
