Warner Bros.The Suicide Squadwill mark the introduction of Idris Elba’s Robert DuBois, a.k.a. Bloodsport, to the DC Extended Universe. During a panel for the film at Brazil’s CCXP virtual event, director James Gunn and Elba provided a new glimpse at Bloodsport’s technologically advanced costume.
WhileThe Suicide Squadwill include a number of cast members from David Ayer’s preceding film, Elba’s Bloodsport will be one of several newcomers added to the titular roster as part of Gunn’s effort to offer audiences a fresh take on the supervillain team. The filmmaker had been tapped to write and direct a follow-up toSuicide SquadafterDisney fired himfrom Marvel Studio’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3in response to the resurfacing of controversial social media posts he wrote years ago. Though Gunn was eventually reinstated as the director of the thirdGuardians of the Galaxyfilm, his work onThe Suicide Squadwill take precedent until the DC film is complete.
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As one of the guests included on CCXP’sThe Suicide Squadpanel, Elba offered additional insight into the limits and capabilities ofBloodsport’s costume. Accompanying Elba’s detailed description of the outfit is footage of what appears to be an animatic of Bloodsport wielding two weapons included with the suit. “He has a very cool costume, you know? His costume is, like, seriously innovative and technically advanced, and he’s the only guy that can use it,” Elba explained. “And in this film, he gets to show it off and he’s brutal.”
The DuBois version of Bloodsport was introduced in the comics as a man who suffers a mental breakdown and develops an obsession with the Vietnam war after learning his brother, who had decided to fight in a frightened DuBois' place, has become a quadruple amputee. After an agent of Lex Luthor convinces DuBois that Superman is an adversary and arms him with Kryptonite bullets, the mercenary takes on the Bloodsport moniker and severely injures theMan of Steelwith his newfound weapons. However, Bloodsport is thwarted when he’s taken to a psychiatric hospital following a confrontation with his brother. Gunn has already confirmed that Elba’s incarnation of Bloodsport will share his comic book counterpart’s history of being incarcerated for shooting Superman with Kryptonite bullets.
The Suicide Squadis one of the 17 films included as part of Warner Bros.' plan to release its 2021 line-up in theaters and on HBO Max simultaneously. However, the decision reportedlydoes not sit well with Gunn, partly because he and others were not informed of Warner Bros.' release strategy in advance.
HBO Max will also bethe home ofPeacemaker, a spin-off series centered on John Cena’s eponymous master of weapons. Gunn is set to write all eight episodes ofThe Suicide Squadspin-off in addition to directing multiple entries.
The Suicide Squadwill be released in theaters and on HBO Max in the US on July 20, 2025.
