Most critics of Marvel Studios, and most superhero films in general, complain about the over-reliance on computer-generated special effects. It seems like filmmaker James Gunn has heard those complaints and tried to change that with his latest comic book movie, The Suicide Squad.
During a set visit for the upcoming DCEU film, James Gunn opened up to Screen Rant about the apparent differences between this film and his Marvel entries like Guardians of the Galaxy. While hinting at the film’s darker tone, Gunn also opened up about the film’s more grounded visual style.
In working with Dan Sudick, a special effects supervisor with over 50 special effects credits to his name, Gunn says that Sudick says this film has far more practical effects than most Marvel Cinematic Universe movies.
“It’s a much, much, much rougher film than Guardians of the Galaxy. Everything is – it’s almost completely practical. The biggest sets ever on almost any film ever. I was able to take all of the heads of departments that I’ve used on other films, and just do a ‘Best of.’,” says Gunn.
“Dan Sudick, who’s doing our special effects was just saying this morning, he’s doing more special effects, more live special effects in this film, than all of the Marvel movies he’s ever done combined, which is every single Marvel movie that was shot in Atlanta,” he continued. “And so it’s just a much more grounded–darker film. Gorier. It’s gorier.”
SEE ALSO: James Gunn reveals the DC villains who didn’t make the cut for The Suicide Squad
Welcome to hell—a.k.a. Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the US of A. Where the worst Super-Villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out—even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favorite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave…and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them—all of them.
The Suicide Squad sees James Gunn directing a cast that includes Suicide Squad returnees Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag) and Viola Davis (Amanda Waller) as well as new DCEU additions Idris Elba, Peter Capaldi, Alice Braga, Nathan Fillion, Taika Waititi, Jennifer Holland, David Dastmalchian, Joaquín Cosío, Mayling Ng, Flula Borg, Juan Diego Botto, Storm Reid, John Cena, Pete Davidson, Tinashe Kajese, Daniela Melchior, Julio Ruiz, Steve Agee, Michael Rooker, Sean Gunn, and Sylvester Stallone.
The Suicide Squad is set for release on July 30th in the UK and on August 6th in the U.S.
