Last year the unexpected happened with the release of Suicide Squad, it seemed that any future project focusing on Task Force X would stay in limbo.
Yet, when DC hired James Gunn to direct a film, that is the project he chose to take on, and it was a resounding success. It revitalized existing characters while introducing new ones who quickly became fan favorites. As such, fans are eager to see several characters again, this time headlining their own TV show on HBO Max like Peacemaker and the proposed Amanda Waller series.
Ratcatcher II
One of the biggest standouts in The Suicide Squad was Daniela Melchior as Cleo Caso AKA Ratcatcher. She follows in the footsteps of her father, played by Taika Watiti, eventually being arrested and forced into Task Force X. Surprisingly, she is like the heart of the film, captivating audiences throughout– which is all more exciting for such an obscure character.
Following news that Gunn is developing another spin-off to The Suicide Squad, many fans hope that it will focus on Ratcatcher, and in turn, their favorite rat, Sebastian. This would vary vastly in tone to Peacemaker, though it could also establish her as a popular anti-hero.
King Shark
ing Ratcatcher as a scene-stealer in The Suicide Squad is King Shark. The supervillain is known as Nanaue and quickly became a fan favorite for his surprisingly endearing personality. He was voiced by Sylvester Stallone, and this was only his second live-action adaptation, following appearances in the CW’s The Flash. He is also well known for being a main character in Harley Quinn, voiced by Ron Fuches.
A series featuring King Shark as the protagonist could be a tough sell for some audiences since it would rely so heavily on CGI. Nevertheless, it certainly could be entertaining, focusing on his mysterious origins and life undersea – plus it could provide another stellar cameo from Jason Momoa like in Peacemaker.
Deadshot
Will Smith obviously did not return as Floyd Lawton AKA Deadshot in The Suicide Squad, so Idris Elba was initially slated to replace him in the role. Thankfully, they changed course and he was cast as Bloodsport – thus allowing for Smith to return sometime in the future. He could certainly do well with his own HBO Max series.
If enough time has ed, his sentence could be over, and the series could focus on him really trying to be the best father he can be. However, as is his nature, he’d likely get pulled back into the life – through his time on the Suicide Squad might nudge him more to the side of an anti-hero than a strict villain.
Bloodsport
Idris Elba’s character in The Suicide Squad, Robert DuBois AKA Bloodsport is equally deserving of expanding his sole appearance in the DCEU with an HBO Max series. Not only is he highly capable, with impressive and cool weaponry, but he also has the backstory to boot. Importantly, he nearly killed Superman using a Kryptonite bullet, leading to his incarceration and recruitment into Task Force X.
However, this raised several questions and theories as to who hired him to kill Superman, and how he ever got the Kryptonite. Many fingers point to Lex Luthor – last seen forming his own team of villains with Deathstroke in Justice League. These unanswered questions could be revealed in a prequel series that ends in his arrest.
Rick Flag
Many fans were left utterly shocked when Rick Flag, played by Joel Kinnaman, was killed by Peacemaker. Although only being in two films, he was a staple in the franchise along with Harley Quinn and Amanda Waller, and he will be missed. However, this does not mean that it is the end of his character in the DCEU as there is still much fans don't know about Rick Flag.
As a sort of send-off, Flag could return in a prequel series on HBO Max. It could explore his origins as he rises up the ranks of the military. Alternatively, a show could showcase what happened over the five years between Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad, perhaps even highlighting the other of his team that met their end at the latter’s beginning.
Captain Boomerang
Like Rick Flag, George “Digger” Harkness AKA Captain Boomerang returns in The Suicide Squad but he tragically doesn’t survive. He dies with his teammates, being cut down by a helicopter’s stray propeller in the film’s beginning. Nevertheless, as one of Flash’s classic enemies in the comics, he could still do well with a Peacemaker-type show on HBO Max.
Particularly, this show could feature his life on the run following Suicide Squad – as shown on a wanted poster in the Gotham Police Department precinct in Birds of Prey. Like any show featuring Rick Flag, it would likely end before the events of The Suicide Squad, but luckily there are several years in the DCEU’s continuity that it could cover.
Katana
One of the most mysterious characters in Suicide Squad, and honestly the entire DCEU, is Katana, played by Karen Fukuhara. She is best recognized by her enigmatic mask, veiled personality, and her famous sword, the Soultaker – which, as the name implies, allegedly steals the souls of its victims.
Her backstory is tragic, as her husband and children were killed in altercations with the Yakuza and the Soultaker. As she was missing from the sequel, she is rightfully deserving of her own HBO Max series that could explore her origins and escapades as a hero. It could further incorporate her into the Birds of Prey like in the comics, giving her a new and more righteous set of teammates.
Weasel
A wildcard pick from The Suicide Squad for a solo HBO Max series is the Weasel. The strange creature’s history is relatively unknown and he seemingly died at the beginning of the film, drowning in the ocean. However, a mid-credits scene reveals that he survived his swim, escaping into the jungles of Corto Maltese.
A series featuring Weasel would likely face similar problems to the King Shark show in relying so heavily on CGI. It could adapt the Weasel’s origins in the comics establishing him as Jack Monroe, an embittered academic turned serial killer. If Gunn was able to make Peacemaker a compelling protagonist, perhaps it could be done to the Weasel as well, though that seems quite daunting.