With just over a month before the release of “Suicide Squad,” the Warner Bros. marketing machine is in full swing. Hoping to rebound from the disappointment of ‘Batman v Superman,’ the emphasis of the marketing for “Suicide Squad” has focused on the fun tone of the film and the stars embracing their crazy characters. Jared Leto plays the Joker, perhaps the craziest of them all, and sent his co-stars gifts to show his commitment to the character.
Viola Davis, who plays Amanda Waller, received one of the crazier gifts from Leto, a box of bullets. Speaking to E!, Davis explains her response to the gift, “It was a little worrisome. It made you a little bit nervous and I’m pretty tough. You know I got into a few fights when I was growing up…but it scared me a little bit.”
It’s well known that during the production of “Suicide Squad,” Leto stayed in character as The Joker. Davis recalls that she first was introduced to Leto after filming had finished. “Before that I was only introduced to The Joker…and I almost had my pepper spray out. You know, ‘You remember that bullet you sent me?'” Davis said.
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Warner Bros. also released the first music video for the film, “Heathens” by 21 Pilots, that features a few bits of new footage from the movie. The prison-heavy music video has a dark tone that is a change of pace from the fun and colorful trailers and TV spots that we’ve seen so far. A second has also debuted with less footage: “Sucker For Pain” by Lil Wayne, Wiz Khalifa, Imagine Dragons w/ Logic & Ty Dolla $ign ft. X Ambassadors. Basically Live Aid, if Live Aid was for juggalos.
If music videos aren’t your thing, and you’re looking for some good old-fashioned posters to whet your appetite for “Suicide Squad,” then you’re in luck. Character posters were released this week (via SlashFilm) that highlight the variety of villains that audiences will be introduced to in August.
“Suicide Squad” is directed by David Ayer and, along with Leto and Davis, it stars Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, and Joel Kinnaman. The film will be released August 5th.
