James Gunn recently shared encouraging news regarding the possible return of Idris Elba’s Bloodsport, a fan-favorite character introduced in 2021’s The Suicide Squad. As co-head of the DC Universe (DCU), Gunn, who wrote and directed The Suicide Squad under the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), confirmed he is exploring ways to integrate Bloodsport into the ongoing DCU storyline. The Suicide Squad earned praise from critics but did not meet box office expectations.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Gunn revealed his ongoing interest in featuring Bloodsport again, saying,
“I definitely am always looking for a place to put Bloodsport and figuring that out,”
—James Gunn. He also added,
So we’ll see what happens.
Background on Idris Elba’s Role and Bloodsport’s Place in DC
Elba’s portrayal of Robert DuBois, aka Bloodsport, in The Suicide Squad remains his sole appearance as the character. Reports indicated that Elba replaced Will Smith, who played Deadshot in 2016’s Suicide Squad directed by David Ayer. Despite the film’s commercial struggles, Elba’s Bloodsport received strong support from fans eager to see his character return in the expanding DCU.
Though Elba’s Bloodsport debuted within the DCEU framework, crossover potential exists through the HBO Max series Peacemaker, which links elements from both DCEU and DCU. Elba himself expressed his desire to reprise the role during a 2022 Variety interview, stating,
“I would definitely like to tell the Superman story. There’s no doubt,”
—Idris Elba, and emphasized,
Bloodsport versus Superman. It needs to happen.
The Character’s History and Connection to Superman
The storyline behind Bloodsport’s imprisonment in The Suicide Squad involves a pivotal clash with Superman, where Bloodsport allegedly shot him with a Kryptonite bullet. This backstory provides a significant link between Elba’s character and the iconic superhero. In the comic books, Robert DuBois first appeared in Superman (vol. 2) #4, created by writer and artist John Byrne in 1987. Before Elba’s portrayal, David St. Louis took on a version of the character in the CW series Supergirl, further expanding Bloodsport’s presence in DC television.
What This Means for the Future of DCU
James Gunn’s interest in reintroducing Bloodsport hints at major creative directions for the DC Universe, potentially bridging beloved characters and stories across multiple platforms. Idris Elba’s enthusiasm and the character’s intricate connections to Superman suggest significant narrative opportunities ahead. Fans can anticipate updates as Gunn and the creative team explore how Bloodsport fits into the evolving DCU landscape.
