James Gunn, director of The Suicide Squad and current co-CEO of DC Studios, has confirmed that the 2021 film is officially part of the DC Universe canon. Despite the movie’s disappointing box office results, it received strong praise from critics, holding a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This announcement addresses longtime questions about how the film fits within the broader DC storyline and impacts upcoming projects under Gunn’s leadership.
The Suicide Squad’s Plot and Ensemble Cast
The Suicide Squad, both written and directed by Gunn, follows a team of supervillains assigned to a covert mission by Amanda Waller. The film features a large and acclaimed ensemble cast, including Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Idris Elba as Bloodsport, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, John Cena, Peter Capaldi, Michael Rooker, and Sylvester Stallone among others. Their collective performances helped make the movie a critical success, despite financial setbacks at the box office.
Insights from the Peacemaker Podcast on DC Canon
Gunn recently started a podcast revisiting the first season of the Peacemaker series in anticipation of its August 2025 return on HBO Max. Through this podcast, he provides behind-the-scenes insights and clarifies which events from season one are officially part of the DC Universe. During a conversation on Threads, Gunn confirmed that a similar podcast focusing on The Suicide Squad could be made to clarify which parts of the film remain canon within the DC Universe.
Character Continuity and Future Appearances
Gunn also indicated that characters introduced in The Suicide Squad will continue to appear in future DC projects. By liking a comment praising Idris Elba’s portrayal of Bloodsport, Gunn subtly affirmed the character’s ongoing relevance. Additionally, Gunn confirmed that the actions of Peacemaker in the movie — such as the killing of Rick Flag Jr. — are canon within the broader DC narrative, linking the film closely with the HBO Max series.
What This Means Moving Forward for the DC Universe
With The Suicide Squad now confirmed canon, James Gunn is expanding the foundation for interconnected storytelling within the DC Universe. This clarity allows fans to anticipate that several characters and storylines from the 2021 film will influence upcoming films and series. Peacemaker’s second season, set to premiere on August 21, 2025, will likely build upon these established events, shaping the future direction of DC Studios under Gunn’s vision.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic household and has shared that prayer is still significant to him. However, he also describes himself as “somewhat against religion.”
Q. Is James Gunn no longer with Marvel?
A. After the director was removed from the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise in 2018, Gunn thought his career was finished. Fortunately, in 2022, he and Peter Safran were chosen to lead DC Studios, allowing him to work on a new superhero project. Toby Emmerich from Warner Bros.
Q. What is James Gunn’s religion?
A. The 2025 Superman adaptation by Gunn features a redesigned, CGI-animated character, Krypto the Superdog, inspired by Ozu. Gunn grew up in a Catholic family and still values prayer. However, he has also described himself as “in some ways, anti-religion.”
