Joel Kinnaman opens up about The Suicide Squad and Pattinson’s Batman

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Joel Kinnaman's Rick Flag might have gotten a bum wrap thanks in part to the lukewarm reception of David Ayer's 2016 anit-hero film, SUICIDE SQUAD, but that's not about to dampen the actor's spirits with regard to reprising the character for director James Gunn's take on the Task Force X concept. Kinnaman recently spoke with Variety about his upcoming role for the Apple+ series FOR ALL MANKIND, though during their talks, he also touched on joining Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD, as well as his longtime friend, Robert Pattinson, suiting up as the Dark Night for Matt Reeves' THE BATMAN.

“[James Gunn] is an incredible guy,” Kinnaman told Variety. “He’s written a fantastic script. It’s so funny…I feel like I’m shooting my first comedy. There are a lot of really funny people there. It’s like a learning experience. I’m around a lot of incredible funny people.”

I must admit, Kinnaman's enthusiasm for Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD has me feeling rather optimistic and excited about the SLITHER director taking a more comedic approach to the villain-centric reboot. That's not to say that Ayer's version didn't have its moments. I simply know from prior experience that Gunn's sense of humor is more akin to my own – and I'm not talking about the comments that got him in deep water with Marvel earlier last year.

In addition to talking up Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD, Kinnaman also touched on his excitement to see his Robert Pattinson enter the DC universe as one of its greatest heroes, Batman. 

“He just turned down almost everything and spent seven, eight years just doing obscure films with interesting directors. Films that very few people saw,” Kinnaman gushed. “But he was going to film school…And now he’s taken on Batman. And I think that’s so smart because now he’s ready to do that. Now he can do his own thing with that, and I think if he’d tried to do something like that maybe five years ago, then it would’ve been something that someone else just put on him. Someone just threw a suit on him. I’m looking forward to what Rob Pattinson is going to do with his Batman.

Whoa. I'm starting to wonder if Kinnaman and I should hang out sometime. After all, I too have been gung ho about Pattinson playing the Bat ever since his involvement was officially announced. Is Pattinson a risky casting choice? Perhaps. However, I'd rather see DC take a risk than announce some manner of vanilla casting with an actor who's a safe bet. Having enjoyed Pattinson in films like HIGH LIFE and THE LOST CITY OF Z, I can totally see him owning the Bruce Wayne / Batman role. Granted, it's going to be a while before we find out if he's got the right stuff, but like I'd said earlier, I'm willing to take that risk.

Are Kinnaman's statements about THE SUICIDE SQUAD and THE BATMAN making you feel more optimistic about either film? Which release are you more excited for? Let us know in the comments section below.