The bad guys and girls of DC comics are tooling up next summer in Suicide Squad, set to be the third entry in Warner Bros' DC cinematic universe and the first team-up movie in said universe, pre-empting even Justice League. Featuring a mix of villains ranging from A-list (i.e., the Joker) to C-list (i.e., the recently rumored Slipknot), Suicide Squad will introduce a black ops team comprised of dangerous criminals who are irredeemable enough to be considered ideal expendable assets.

The faces of the Suicide Squad were introduced by director David Ayer in a recent cast photo taken at a script read-through, which revealed that Adam Beach (Slipknot, according to rumors), Ike Barinholtz (Hugo Strange, according to rumors) and Jim Parrack (Deathstroke) will be joining previously-announced cast members Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag), Will Smith (Deadshot), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc), Jay Hernandez (El Diablo), Karen Fukuhara (Plastique), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), and Cara Delevingne (Enchantress).

Ayer has since announced on Twitter that Suicide Squad has now begun filming. The director posted a photo of the very first slate of the film, which shows that it's being shot under the working title Bravo 14 but unfortunately obscures what is actually being filmed. Are those prison bars in the background?

Just because filming has begun, however, it doesn't necessarily mean that the last of the casting announcements have been made. Production began on the same day that Latino-Review writer Umberto "El Mayimbe" Gonzalez tweeted a rumor that Suicide Squad may have an "outstanding role" for brothers Mark and Roland Desmond - two versions of the DC villain Blockbuster.

Day 1 #SuicideSquad pic.twitter.com/rEo5qCMfAh— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) April 13, 2015

Supposedly, there is still an outstanding role in SUICIDE SQUAD - the Desmond brothers. Mark & Roland Desmond aka BLOCKBUSTER. #rumor— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) April 13, 2015

Blockbuster Suicide Squad Desmond brothers
Mark Desmond (L) and Roland Desmond (R) as Blockbuster

The Blockbusters' appearance is tagged as a rumor and should be treated as such until more concrete information becomes available, but it does make sense. As the name might suggest, the Suicide Squad's undertakings are notoriously deadly and there will probably be some characters who end up being used as cannon fodder and not getting a lot of screen time. The Desmonds are definitely among the more expendable members of DC's villain rosters.

Both of the Desmond brothers acquire superhuman strength and endurance thanks to chemical experimentation, which has the unfortunate trade-off of a drop in IQ and a massive increase in aggression. Roland Desmond is eventually able to overcome this and acquire a genius-level intellect, and prior to his own transformation he manipulates his superpowered brother into carrying out crimes for him.

We'll continue to provide updates on casting news and potential villain appearances as Suicide Squad's production moves forward.

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice will be in theaters on March 25th, 2016; Suicide Squad on August 5th, 2016; Wonder Woman - June 23rd, 2017; Justice League - November 17th, 2017; The Flash - March 23rd, 2018; Aquaman - July 27th, 2018; Shazam - April 5th, 2019; Justice League 2 - June 14th, 2019; Cyborg - April 3rd, 2020; Green Lantern - June 19th, 2020.

Source: David Ayer, Umberto Gonzalez