James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has formally integrated the character Bloodsport, played by Idris Elba, into the new DC Universe (DCU). While Gunn started fresh by dismissing the old Justice League and most previous characters, he retained certain figures and storylines from his earlier DCEU projects, including The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, to shape the developing DCU. This official confirmation comes from Gunn himself during a recent podcast, clarifying that Bloodsport’s role in the 2021 film is now fully canon within the DCU.
The announcement builds on prior clarifications regarding the DCU’s relationship with previous DCEU content, where Gunn described The Suicide Squad and the first season of Peacemaker as vague memory fragments rather than direct canon. The series Creature Commandos, however, is entirely part of the DCU timeline moving forward. This selective continuation underscores Gunn’s approach to balancing new storytelling with established elements.
Deleted Scene Provides Key Canon Confirmation
The confirmation of Bloodsport’s canon status came during an episode of Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, where Gunn and several cast members discussed a deleted scene from The Suicide Squad. The scene features Bloodsport questioning Amanda Waller’s decision to send Rick Flag Jr. to Corto Maltese alongside Task Force X, the expendable government team.
In the scene, Bloodsport mocks Waller’s colorful shirt, delivering the line,
“It looks like a gang of clowns just **** all over you.”
—Idris Elba, Bloodsport. This irreverent joke failed to amuse Waller but elicited laughter from John Economos, played by Steve Agee, highlighting the tense but close-knit dynamics among the characters.
Idris Elba’s Bloodsport joins other The Suicide Squad stars now embedded in the DCU’s canon, including John Cena’s Peacemaker. Additional canon figures from the film who appear in the DCU include King Shark and Weasel, both introduced in the Creature Commandos series.
Expanding the Cast Within the DCU Canon
Alongside Bloodsport, David Dastmalchian’s Polka-Dot Man also appears in the aforementioned deleted scene, suggesting a tentative place in the DCU. However, as Polka-Dot Man’s role in the scene is minor and silent, his full entry into canon remains less certain and could be subject to change.
Other officially recognized characters from The Suicide Squad who are part of the new DCU include Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman), Emilia Harcourt (Jennifer Holland), John Economos (Steve Agee), Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), Flo Crawley (Tinashe Kajese-Bolden), and King Shark, with Sylvester Stallone’s voice role recast by Diedrich Bader.
Uncertain Future for Harley Quinn and Other Key Characters
Despite being one of the franchise’s most beloved figures, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn has not been confirmed for inclusion in the DCU. Robbie recently stated she has “heard nothing” regarding a return, fueling speculation that her character, along with Jared Leto’s Joker, may be recast in upcoming DC projects, including the next Batman film.
Potential for Bloodsport’s Return and Linkages Within the DCU
Bloodsport’s canonization points to the possibility of his reappearance in future DCU projects. Given his pivotal role in sending Peacemaker to Corto Maltese, he may return in another season of the HBO Max series or a sequel to The Suicide Squad. While there were rumors of a stand-alone Bloodsport show, these have been dismissed by Gunn.
The deleted scene and recent developments in Peacemaker Season 2 also reveal deeper interpersonal connections, particularly between Rick Flag Jr. and John Economos. Flag Jr.’s death becomes more poignant after learning about his affair with Emilia Harcourt, which complicates his relationship with June Moone, the Enchantress from 2016’s Suicide Squad.
The growing narrative around these characters enriches the tension and emotional complexity of the DCU’s expanding storylines, showing the lasting impact of past events on the present.
Confirmed List of Canonical The Suicide Squad Characters in the DCU
- John Cena – Peacemaker
- Idris Elba – Bloodsport
- David Dastmalchian – Polka-Dot Man*
- Joel Kinnaman – Rick Flag Jr.
- Sean Gunn – Weasel
- Jennifer Holland – Emilia Harcourt
- Steve Agee – John Economos
- Viola Davis – Amanda Waller
- Tinashe Kajese-Bolden – Flo Crawley
- Sylvester Stallone (recast as Diedrich Bader) – King Shark
*Polka-Dot Man’s role in canon remains uncertain due to limited presence in the confirming scene.
What This Means for the Future of the DCU
The formal inclusion of Bloodsport in the DCU signals James Gunn’s intent to blend beloved elements from his previous works into the universe’s foundation, ensuring continuity while allowing room for fresh narratives. This careful balance sustains fan connections while setting a new direction post-Justice League.
As Gunn continues to develop the DCU, the fate of other fan-favorite characters like Harley Quinn remains unclear, adding uncertainty and anticipation for future announcements. Meanwhile, established relationships and character arcs like those involving Rick Flag Jr. and John Economos promise to deepen the emotional stakes of upcoming stories.
