Suicide Squad 2 Cast: Full List of Actors and Characters

You’ve probably seen the trailers—Idris Elba with a high-tech arm cannon, John Cena in a ridiculous helmet, and a walking shark that steals every scene. But how did James Gunn cram so many wild characters into one movie without it feeling overcrowded? This article breaks down every major actor and their role in *The Suicide Squad* (2021), who came back from the first film, who’s new, and why the casting choices matter.

Release year: 2021 ·
Director: James Gunn ·
Number of main cast members: 12+ ·
Box office: $168 million ·
Runtime: 132 minutes ·
Based on: DC Comics’ Suicide Squad

Here are the key facts about The Suicide Squad (2021).

Who is in the cast of The Suicide Squad (2021)?

Main cast list

James Gunn assembled an ensemble that, at last count, included 24 named actors in the main cast (Screen Rant). The line-up mixes returning favorites with bizarre newcomers.

• Margot Robbie – Harley Quinn (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Idris Elba – Bloodsport (Screen Rant)
• John Cena – Peacemaker (Screen Rant)
• Joel Kinnaman – Rick Flag (Screen Rant)
• Viola Davis – Amanda Waller (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Michael Rooker – Savant (Screen Rant)
• David Dastmalchian – Polka-Dot Man (Screen Rant)
• Daniela Melchior – Ratcatcher 2 (Screen Rant)
• Sylvester Stallone (voice) – King Shark (Screen Rant)
• Jai Courtney – Captain Boomerang (Screen Rant)

Character-to-actor mapping

Some roles were known from the first film; others were fresh reveals. For example, Peter Capaldi played The Thinker, and Alice Braga portrayed Sol Soria (Rotten Tomatoes). The full list appears on the Warner Bros. official page.

Which actors return from the first Suicide Squad?

Returning cast members

Four actors reprised their roles from the 2016 Suicide Squad:

• Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag (Screen Rant)
• Viola Davis as Amanda Waller (Screen Rant)
• Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang (Screen Rant)

Characters revived from the 2016 film

Notably, Will Smith did not return as Deadshot, and Jared Leto did not appear as the Joker (Screen Rant). Gunn chose to recast the lead into Bloodsport, played by Idris Elba, after originally considering him for Deadshot and then pivoting.

What are the new characters in The Suicide Squad?

New additions to Task Force X

Gunn introduced eight entirely new characters to the DCEU with this film:

• Idris Elba – Bloodsport (Screen Rant)
• John Cena – Peacemaker (Screen Rant)
• Daniela Melchior – Ratcatcher 2 (Rotten Tomatoes)
• David Dastmalchian – Polka-Dot Man (Screen Rant)
• Michael Rooker – Savant (Screen Rant)
• Sylvester Stallone (voice) – King Shark (Screen Rant)
• Alice Braga – Sol Soria (Screen Rant)
• Pete Davidson – Blackguard (Screen Rant)

Original characters introduced by James Gunn

Gunn created Ratcatcher 2, Bloodsport, and Peacemaker specifically for this film, though all have roots in DC comics. The director said he wanted characters that could carry their own movies—a bet that paid off with the Peacemaker TV series.

Who are the villains and supporting cast members?

Antagonists

The main villain is Starro the Conqueror, a giant alien starfish that controls minds. Peter Capaldi played the Thinker, a human antagonist who uses a psychic device to control Starro (Screen Rant).

Minor characters and cameos

Supporting players include:

• Steve Agee as John Economos (Waller’s right-hand man) (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Mayling Ng as Mongal (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Tinashe Kajese as Flo Crawley (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Sean Gunn as Weasel and also cameoed as Calendar Man (Rotten Tomatoes)
• Joaquin Cosio as Mateo Suarez (Rotten Tomatoes)

The implication: Gunn’s personal casting choices gave the film a cohesive, family-like energy that translates into unexpected chemistry on screen.

How does the cast of Suicide Squad 2 compare to the original?

Cast size and diversity

The 2021 film features a larger ensemble than the 2016 film—24 main cast members versus about 12 (Screen Rant). The racial and gender diversity improved, with major roles for women (Harley, Ratcatcher 2, Waller) and actors of color (Elba, Braga).

Critical reception of performances

Critics praised the cast at Rotten Tomatoes for bringing a comedic, bizarre energy that the original lacked. The absence of Will Smith and Jared Leto shifted focus from star power to character work, allowing Elba, Cena, and Melchior to shine.

The pattern: Gunn traded mainstream star power for character depth, and the result is a film that critics adore even if general audiences stayed home.

“I wanted to make a movie that felt like it was made by one person. You can feel when a movie is made by committee. This one isn’t.” For more details on the cast, you can refer to the ${House of Cards stagione 7 cancellazione} article. House of Cards stagione 7 cancellazione

— James Gunn, director, speaking about the casting and creative freedom on *The Suicide Squad* (Entertainment Weekly)

“Harley’s been through a lot. In this film she’s more independent, more dangerous, and honestly more fun to play.”

— Margot Robbie on her character’s evolution (Entertainment Weekly)

“Training for Bloodsport was intense. I had to learn a whole new kind of combat, but James wanted it to feel raw, not like a superhero movie.”

— Idris Elba on preparing for the role (BBC Culture)

For a more detailed cast overview of the 2021 film, see detailed cast overview which includes all the key actors and their roles.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• When Will Thunderbolts Be on Disney Plus? Release Date – Marvel’s anti-hero team-up, the spiritual cousin to Task Force X.
• The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Plot, Cast and Franchise Fate – Another superhero sequel with a deep cast and a controversial legacy.