Director James Gunn reveals original 'The Suicide Squad' title

In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Director James Gunn revealed the original 'The Suicide Squad' title – and the surprising reason behind the final choice.

Video Transcript

[MUSIC PLAYING]

KEVIN POLOWY: I'll start with the most important question first-- the title. We just had "Suicide Squad" a couple years ago. You put a the in front of it. You know I ride with you, and I say this respectfully, but why are you doing this to us?

JAMES GUNN: [LAUGHTER]

I did it as a joke, man. I didn't really do it as a joke, but I just-- I didn't know what to call the movie I. Didn't want it to be "Suicide Squad," you know, Dawn of the Mischief-- you know, red-- whatever. I didn't want it to be something that was just this long, awkward title.

I mean, I honestly don't-- to be completely honest, it was called "Dogs of War" for a while, but on my first draft, when I gave it to the studio, I just put-- screw it, I'll just put "The Suicide Squad" on it. I thought it was kind of funny. And then they were like, yeah, we love this. This works. Let's do this. So that was like, OK.

KEVIN POLOWY: When James was was first hired for "The Suicide Squad," I think the general consensus was, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Especially, you know, with what he accomplished with "Guardians of the Galaxy." Did you guys see sort of commonalities? Do you feel like this movie shares sort of a vibe, or energy, with "Guardians?"

- Just being able to balance an ensemble piece, I think, is a feat in itself. More and more of us are just learning that we can-- we can trust James.

- The way he sort of assembles the troops and gains their trust, and leads everyone into battle with such kind of passion, and a sense of humor, and he kind of allows everyone to kind of bring what it is that they do uniquely. It was awesome, man. It's one of my favorite film, like, experiences I've had with a director, 100%.

MARGOT ROBBIE: James Gunn has, like, a signature sort of thing, the kind of vibe that you get from "Guardians of the Galaxy," where you're like, wow, this is world building, and it's huge, and it's a spectacle, but actually, I'm really emotionally invested, and I really like these people, or these characters. The comedy is even pushed, and the-- the violence is pushed. It's like someone got the volume and just cranked it all the way up to 100, like, from the minute the movie begins.

IDRIS ELBA: The vision is really deep, you know what I mean? As it is in the "Guardians" films, you know? But I think they're very separate, different tonality, you know? R rated movie, adult themed, versus something a little bit more commercial. And this has sort of closer to the bone perspective from the comic books, than the "Guardians."

ALICE BRAGA: He has that kind of relaxed, kind of cool vibe that "Guardians" has, and that's a James Gunn touch. I think that's his brilliance and his vision. His entire soul is in this film, like, in every frame of it, and you can see it's a James Gunn film.

MAYLING NG: I was very lucky when I got the role as Mongal, that I knew I was working with him, that I knew I was going to be in for a ride.

JOHN CENA: I think James really attacks entertainment, and especially cinematic entertainment, from the totality of the experience.

DAVID DASTMALCHIAN: James' ability to take wackos, and weirdos, and outcasts, and people are kind of, you know, on the outside, who find a bond together, and then you go on a hero's journey, and you discover the meaning of that, and I think that's something that anybody who sits in the cinema is going to, like, latch on to, to go along with all of the incredible-- you know, his wacky imagination, and his mind blowing vision.

KEVIN POLOWY: This could be hot button, but I'm going to ask it. Who has the best costume in the cast?

- Aw--

- I mean, me. Everyone should say their own. That's like when you say, who's the GOAT? Me. Javelin's costume is the [BLEEP].

KEVIN POLOWY: Yes.

- And if you disagree, you're incorrect, but you can--

- I like Javelin, too. I'll jump on that.

KEVIN POLOWY: Yeah. I was a fan.

- I would say the Javelin costume. Maybe Mongal, as well, are the most comic book true-- Bloodsport, actually, he was way up there, too.

- I just love Polka-Dot Man. I'm obsessed about him. I love, also, Peacemaker. It's hilarious.

- I got to give some love to Mayling. Being in full body prosthetic, you're in there for the [BLEEP] life of the film. That's not easy. I can't even do the molds they use, this casting they do, to create that [BLEEP]. I can't be in there. You going, through four hours of makeup every morning to achieve that look, and then to get out of that every day-- she deserves a round of applause. She probably hates her costume by now, I would imagine.

JOHN CENA: King Shark. King Shark.

- Yeah, of course.

- Good costume.

JOEL KINNAMAN: And maybe Ratcatcher. She's really, really cool.

KEVIN POLOWY: I'm gonna go with Peacemaker. Even though he didn't wear it today, I'm still going Peacemaker. It's--

JOEL KINNAMAN: Definitely up there. It's definitely up there.

JOHN CENA: Gotta leave 'em wanting more, man. You gotta leave 'em wanting more.

KEVIN POLOWY: You clearly love it. Is it comfortable?

JOHN CENA: Peacemaker's costume is a two piece costume, and many of the superhero costumes, they're one piece. They set the bar pretty low, though. Like, you're going to hate it, it's going to be so uncomfortable. It's not only not bad, it's like-- like, I wear it a lot, obviously. Number two is the toughest challenge there. Maybe they could make, like, a Peacemaker poop chute. Besides that, I'm all right.