Cast of The Suicide Squad – Full Guide to Every Character

James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021) arrived as a bold, blood-soaked reboot of the DC Extended Universe’s criminal ensemble, bringing together a massive cast of returning fan favorites and bizarre new villains. Unlike the 2016 film, this version was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max on August 5, 2021, boasting a 90% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie features two squads: an initial team that is quickly eliminated and a core group that carries out the mission to destroy Project Starfish on the island of Corto Maltese.

With a budget of $185 million and a box office of $168 million impacted by the pandemic, the film is as notable for who is missing as for who is present. The cast list includes a mix of A-list stars, character actors, and voice performers, creating one of the most eclectic lineups in superhero cinema. Here is the complete guide to every major actor and character in The Suicide Squad.

Full Cast of The Suicide Squad (2021) – Main Characters and Actors

The Suicide Squad (2021) Cast at a Glance

Key Insights About the Cast

• The Suicide Squad (2021) is a soft reboot and standalone sequel, not a direct continuation – most of the 2016 cast is replaced except Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney, and Viola Davis.
• Will Smith declined to return due to scheduling conflicts, leading to the creation of Bloodsport (Idris Elba) as a functionally similar character.
• Jared Leto’s Joker does not appear in the 2021 film; only Harley Quinn returns from the Batman villain roster.
• King Shark is voiced by Sylvester Stallone, but his physical performance was provided by Steve Agee via motion capture.
• The film was released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in the U.S., and as of 2025, it is not available on Netflix.

Key Facts About The Suicide Squad Cast

Who Plays King Shark, Weasel, and Other New Characters?

King Shark – Sylvester Stallone and Steve Agee

King Shark, the hulking Polynesian shark-god hybrid, is voiced by Sylvester Stallone. The physical and motion-capture performance on set was delivered by Steve Agee, who also plays the supporting role of John Economos. The character provides significant comic relief but is also a formidable combatant, known in the film for accidentally consuming teammates.

Weasel – Sean Gunn

Sean Gunn, brother of director James Gunn, plays the anthropomorphic weasel known simply as Weasel. The character, inspired by Bloom County‘s Bill the Cat, is a convicted child murderer who appears to drown in the opening sequence but is later revealed to have survived, escaping into the jungle.

Ratcatcher 2 – Daniela Melchior

Daniela Melchior plays Cleo Cazo, known as Ratcatcher 2. She is a Brazilian thief who controls rats and becomes the emotional core of the team. Her father, the original Ratcatcher, appears in flashback played by Taika Waititi.

Polka-Dot Man – David Dastmalchian

David Dastmalchian portrays Abner Krill, a metahuman who generates polka-dots that can be used as weapons or for teleportation. His backstory involves a mother who experimented on him, causing him to see polka-dots on everyone, including the giant alien Starro. Dastmalchian previously appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.

The Thinker – Peter Capaldi

Peter Capaldi, best known as the Twelfth Doctor in Doctor Who, plays Dr. Arthur Fleck, the genius scientist who controls the Starfish and serves as the film’s primary human antagonist.

Is the Joker in The Suicide Squad? Clarifying the DC Character Appearances

No, the Joker does not appear in The Suicide Squad (2021). Despite persistent rumors and online confusion, Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime was limited to the 2016 Suicide Squad film and its extended cut. James Gunn confirmed this in multiple interviews, noting that the story does not require the character. Only Harley Quinn returns from the Batman-centric rogue’s gallery.

Some viewers mistakenly believed a post-credits scene might feature the Joker, but the film contains only a mid-credits scene involving Peacemaker. The confusion likely stems from the fact that the 2021 film is sometimes referred to informally as “Suicide Squad 2.” The official title is The Suicide Squad.

How Does The Suicide Squad Cast Compare to the 2016 Suicide Squad?

Returning Cast Members

Only four actors reprise their roles from the 2016 film: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Joel Kinnaman as Colonel Rick Flag, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. Captain Boomerang is killed early in the 2021 film, while Harley, Flag, and Waller survive and play significant roles.

Notable Omissions

Will Smith (Deadshot) declined to return due to scheduling conflicts, leading to the creation of Idris Elba’s new character Bloodsport. Jared Leto (Joker) was not invited back, and Cara Delevingne (Enchantress) also does not appear. The only other 2016 survivors are the four listed above.

New Additions

The 2021 film introduces a wealth of new characters from DC Comics, including Bloodsport (Idris Elba), Peacemaker (John Cena), King Shark (Sylvester Stallone), Weasel (Sean Gunn), Polka-Dot Man (David Dastmalchian), Ratcatcher 2 (Daniela Melchior), and the Thinker (Peter Capaldi). This significantly expands the roster compared to the 2016 film.

Cast Announcement Timeline for The Suicide Squad

1. September 2018 – James Gunn announced as writer and director of the film, shifting from Marvel to DC following his dismissal and rehiring over old controversial tweets.
2. March 2019 – Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, and Jai Courtney confirmed to reprise their roles from the 2016 film.
3. April 2019 – Idris Elba cast; initially thought to be taking over Deadshot, it was later revealed he would play the new character Bloodsport.
4. May 2019 – John Cena cast as Peacemaker, a role that would later spawn its own HBO Max spin-off series.
5. August 2019 – Sylvester Stallone cast as the voice of King Shark, with Steve Agee handling on-set performance.
6. September 2019 – Sean Gunn cast as Weasel, playing both the voice and physical role.
7. October 2019 – David Dastmalchian (Polka-Dot Man), Daniela Melchior (Ratcatcher 2), and Peter Capaldi (Thinker) added to the ensemble.
8. February 2020 – Filming completed. The release was later delayed from August 2020 to August 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cast Certainty and Clarifications

Why the Cast Changed So Much from 2016

Director James Gunn chose to reboot the franchise with a new team, incorporating lesser-known DC villains. Warner Bros. also faced scheduling conflicts with Will Smith and wanted to distance itself from the mixed critical reception of the 2016 film. The result is an ensemble that blends returning fan-favorites like Harley Quinn and Rick Flag with fresh faces like Bloodsport and Ratcatcher 2. Gunn’s vision, influenced by John Ostrander’s comics, emphasizes a more comic-accurate tone with dark humor and graphic violence.

Key Quotes on the Cast and Production

“I wanted to do something new. I love the characters and I wanted to bring in a whole new team.”

— James Gunn, Empire Magazine interview (2021)

“I couldn’t pass up the chance to work with James Gunn. I play Bloodsport, a character who’s kind of like Deadshot but different.”

— Idris Elba, Collider interview (2021)

Summary – The Suicide Squad Cast at a Glance

The Suicide Squad (2021) assembles one of the most eclectic casts in superhero cinema, blending returning icons like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn with bizarre new additions such as King Shark, Weasel, and Polka-Dot Man. With James Gunn at the helm, the film successfully reboots the franchise while honoring its roots. For more on the film’s production and character details, see The Suicide Squad (2021) Comprehensive Research Report.

Frequently Asked Questions