When it comes to big-budget blockbusters, particularly those of the comic-book variety, post-production typically goes up until the last minute, but in a bit of a surprise, James Gunn has revealed that The Suicide Squad is now completely finished, a little over three months before it's slated to debut in theaters and on HBO Max.
In a follow-up Tweet, James Gunn admitted that while it's unusual for a film of this size to be completed so early, he had always planned that The Suicide Squad would be ready at this point, but there's an even bigger surprise. "What's more unusual is that we didn't do a single shot of pickups or any post production shooting," Gunn wrote. "Outside of Chris Nolan, that almost never happens, if at all, on tentpole superhero films." I certainly can't think of many blockbusters that didn't need at least a pick-up shot or two after principal photography had concluded, but there you are. Gunn said that all he has left to do is look at marketing and toys, do publicity, and wait for "the world to heal just a little more so a larger number of people can see it safely in theaters, where it is intended to be seen." Bring it on!
The official synopsis for The Suicide Squad:
Welcome to hell — a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.
The upcoming film will feature a mix of old and new cast-members including Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Peter Capaldi, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, Alice Braga, Pete Davidson, David Dastmalchian, Micheal Rooker, Daniela Melchior, and more. The Suicide Squad is slated to hit theaters and HBO Max on August 6, 2021. In addition to the film, there's also a spin-off TV series focusing on John Cena's Peacemaker character that will debut on HBO Max in January 2022.