If you’ve read Empire’s latest cover feature on James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, you’ll know his DC movie isn’t a mere consolation prize between Guardians films – it’s a project that finds him fully invigorated, inspired by bringing a whole new gang of anti-heroes and outright reprobates to the big screen. Hence the filmmaker is not only wrapping up post-production on his latest movie, but he’s also hard at work scripting a spin-off series for John Cena’s Peacemaker, writing all eight episodes with a plan to direct several of them himself. Now the show has found a new addition in actor Danielle Brooks, best known for her years on Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black.
According to Deadline, Brooks has been snapped up to play Leota Adebayo – and while little is known about her character so far, anyone who saw her in Netflix’s prison drama will know she’s a formidable screen presence. While OITNB was ostensibly an ensemble show, Brooks’ character Tasha ‘Taystee’ Jefferson became one of its key throughlines in later seasons, fighting against systematic injustice on a false murder charge. And throughout the show, she proved that she could deliver heartbreaking drama and big laughs in equal measure.
Peacemaker is due to go into production in early 2021, and is set to stream on the HBO Max streaming service – it’s yet to be announced what its equivalent home will be in the UK. The Suicide Squad is expected to arrive in cinemas in August 2021. And once Peacemaker and The Suicide Squad are wrapped up, Gunn will be back to work on Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3.
Read Empire’s world-exclusive The Suicide Squad feature in the December 2020 issue, out now – find it on newsstands, or order a copy online here with free UK delivery.