A great ensemble film can only reach the pinnacle of Hollywood hits if every member of the team holds up their part of the work, filling in whatever role is needed (ideally with a unique or memorable twist of their own). That idea is a literal one in the case of Suicide Squad, since the DC Comics villains, criminals and killers making up the cast were chosen – both fictionally and literally – for the unique skills each could bring to the table. But to say they don’t exactly play well with others would be an understatement.
Still, their survival from the movie’s monstrous enemies – and Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) – relies on these lone wolves finding a way to work together. And judging by what we saw and heard during our visit to the movie’s set, the cast finds a way to make their squad a family (really) by the end of the story. But that doesn’t mean they’re going to get along from scene to scene – a fact Margot Robbie hinted at by offering her thoughts on how the character are seen by Harley Quinn, the fourth-wall- breaking jokester of the DC Universe.
At this point, it’s hard to say just how much each member of the Suicide Squad actually knows about any of the others. Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman) and the audience may be briefed on their origin stories and reasons for incarceration, but as far as we know, the criminals are simply thrown in with a group of total strangers (aside from what their shared criminal careers and run-ins with Batman provide). So as heavy as their origins may be (Deadshot a hired gun working for his daughter, Croc a cannibal overcome with a disease, Diablo a repentant murderer), first impressions may be all they’re working with.
And nobody gives a first impression like Harley Quinn. Fortunately, Robbie revealed a brief glimpse into the mind of Joker's partner in crime, and how she sees the other villains around her:
“Whenever little scenes between them happen, I just write in the corner of my [script] page what I think about them. At the beginning I decided how she feels about each character. For some reason I think she really likes Killer Croc and looks at him like a teddy bear. She looks at him and says “I love him.” And I think she thinks that Diablo is the coolest one because he has the coolest super power.”
Robbie went on to imply that the relationship between Harley and Deadshot is something “different,” and comic book fans know that the man-of- few-words and the girl who can’t spew enough of them have enjoyed a sexual tension truly unique to their personalities. We doubt there will be much time or opportunity for romance (aside from the occasional wink) on their mission, especially if Harley’s green-haired boyfriend has anything to say about it.
Although she wouldn’t give too much away about how or when Harley and Joker would interact, it sounds like another Squad pairing may hold the most potential: the combination of Harley and Boomerang (Jai Courtney), the only other member of the team who’s willing to speak his disturbed mind as often as she. The playful prodding between Robbie and fellow Aussie Courtney on set is clearly a sign of what’s to come on the screen, as well:
Margot Robbie: My note towards Captain Boomerang when he walks in the script is, 'I think he’s an idiot.'
Jai Courtney: Well, you’re wrong. Did she correct herself later on?
Margot Robbie: She has moments where she’s like, 'he’s funny.' And then it goes back to her thinking he’s an idiot.
Jai Courtney: I definitely pick up the kind of class clown slack at times. Harley has this great line where she says, 'Your village in Australia is missing its idiot. You should call home.' Which is a great line, and rings true.
It’s overkill at this point to discuss the obvious chemistry between the cast, but it sounds like the characters will get plenty of chances to not only butt heads or team up in a fight, but develop unique relationships between their differing personalities. That can often make the difference between a good ensemble story and one that sings, and with David Ayer guiding the story, tense yet entertaining chemistry between unlikely partners seems guaranteed.
NEXT: Harley Quinn's Original Suit Was Made For Suicide Squad
Suicide Squad is scheduled to arrive in theaters on August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman is slated for release on June 2, 2017; followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; an untitled DC Film on October 5, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; an untitled DC film on November 1, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020. The Flash is currently without release date.