I miss plenty about theDCEUnow that it has definitively ended, including one of the coolest suits ever adapted for DC movies.The supersuits of the DCEUwere relatively contentious, but there is no denying that some fans are now lamenting the loss of the darker, more realistic outfits that both superheroes and supervillains alike opted to wear in DC’s erstwhile cinematic franchise. Looking back, I think the wardrobe was one area where the DCEU excelled, even when it took bold creative decisions with such supersuits as Superman’s.
To be clear, I am a huge fan of the vivid outfits depicted inthe newSupermantrailer, and I can’t wait to see a trunk-wearing David Corenswet bring the comic book page to life. Nevertheless, after looking back at one ofthe DCEU’s highest-rated movies, I think that James Gunn shouldn’t shy away from picking the best bits from the now-defunct franchise he also contributed to. Thankfully, the exact costume I have in mind was one he was directly involved with - though I don’t think it got the praise that it truly deserved.
Bloodsport’s Helmet Is The Coolest On The Team
James Gunn’s first contribution to DC’s live-action movies wasThe Suicide Squad, a soft reboot of the widely lambastedSuicide Squadthat helped to steady the ship. AlthoughThe Suicide Squadturned out to be a financial disappointment, it was at least widely acclaimed for many reasons, including its expertly cast host of titular vagabonds, well-balanced tone, and dazzling visual style. There is so much to like, in fact, thatI don’t think enough people talk about the character designs and Bloodsport’s incredible wardrobe in particular.
Why The Suicide Squad Reviews Are So Positive
The Suicide Squad’s reviews have been extremely positive, with critics praising James Gunn’s movie for its action, humor, and Task Force X Characters.
Idris Elba expertly portrays the reluctant yet competent mercenary unwittingly tasked with leading part of Task Force X’s suicide mission, and swiftly became a firm fan-favorite among the team. His costume, meanwhile, underscores just how formidable he is. The muted black-and-bronze color scheme fits the DCEU’s tone, whilethe full-face visor and skull-jaw helmet serve as a terrifying signifier of Bloodsport’s deadlinessand the fact he was able to floor Superman himself. Unfortunately, this helmet isn’t nearly as talked about as Peacemaker’s, for example, which isn’t helped by the fact it barely features in the movie.
Why We Didn’t See Much of Bloodsport’s Suit In The Suicide Squad
Idris Elba Is Too Famous And Talented To Hide
Bloodsport is one ofThe Suicide Squad’s main charactersalongside Harley Quinn, so it stands to reason that an A-list celebrity like Idris Elba was cast in the role. Sadly,Idris Elba’s star power is possibly one reason whyThe Suicide Squadbarely features him wearing his face-obscuring helmet. It stands to reason, after all, that the filmmakers would want to fully capitalize on Idris Elba’s appeal as one of Hollywood’s foremost actors, and hiding his face behind an opaque mask isn’t conducive to that end, no matter how incredible the costume design is.
Beyond being one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, Idris Elba is an incredibly talented actor whose abilities would be criminally stifled if forced to act from behind an opaque visor for the majority of the movie.
Furthermore,removing a cowl or face covering is par for the course in superhero movies as they allow the actors behind them to convey a fuller range of expressionsbeyond gesticulating and intonation. Beyond being one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood, Idris Elba is an incredibly talented actor whose abilities would be criminally stifled if forced to act from behind an opaque visor for the majority of the movie. I’ll admit, therefore, that the decision was probably for the best - but I still want to see more of Bloodsport’s incredible costume down the line.
Amanda Waller And Weasel Have Returned
Thankfully, seeing more of Idris Elba’s Bloodsport is not beyond the realm of possibility. The DCU reboot may have sidelined a long list of DCEU characters, but we’ve already been seeing certain actorsreprise their roles in new DCU releases. WhileSupermanis due to kick off the live-action cinematic side of the DCU, the new franchise is technically already underway withCreature Commandos, an animated series that centers around a suspiciously similar remit toThe Suicide Squadand its charismatic host of characters. What’s more,Creature Commandosis officially DCU canon, and it’s already drawn from the DCEU.
Creature Commandosis available to stream on Max.
Characters like Viola Davis' Amanda Waller and Sean Gunn’s Weasel arestars of the show in the DCU’sCreature Commandos. Both of these characters are featured inThe Suicide Squad, a fact thatopens the door for other surviving characters of James Gunn’s DCEU movie to follow suit. The fact that Bloodsport also survived the ordeal ofThe Suicide Squadtherefore fills me with hope that Gunn will make the wise move to bring him back into the fold. This time, however, I hope we get to see much more of the costume.
The Suicide Squad
Cast
The Suicide Squad: Released in 2021, The Suicide Squad features supervillains Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, and Peacemaker, among others, as they join Task Force X. The team embarks on a mission on the enemy-held island of Corto Maltese under the direction of Amanda Waller in this entry of the DC Extended Universe.
