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Why The Suicide Squad's King Shark Redesign Suits James Gunn's Sequel Better

The controversial decision to redesign King Shark into a great white for James Gunn’s upcoming film  ultimately fits the DC Extended Universe sequel better than the original hammerhead design from the comics. Gunn has proven through his prior work on both films that his greatest contribution to a serious cinematic universe is the injection of unadulterated fun that does not undermine, but rather lends itself to the action-packed nature of the superhero genre. These themes form , and a dopey-yet-powerful King Shark cements the character in that reality.

The decision to make the change is two-fold. Gunn explains via Twitter that though he loves the hammerhead design, it , due to the need for wider shots for the purposes of seeing the character’s eyes. Gunn says, “I did tests with the hammerhead design, which I love & originally thought I’d use. But having eyes on the sides far apart made it incredibly awkward shooting interactions with other people. You couldn’t really see him looking at the other person & the shots tended to be too wide.” However, the King Shark redesign works well beyond simple cinematography.

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Gunn’s past work proves a character’s strength and goofiness need not be mutually exclusive traits, as evidenced by the powerful and weird characters in Guardians of the Galaxy, such as Drax the Destroyer or Groot. The Suicide Squad is a comedic film. By having King Shark remain a terrifying tank, yet allowing him to become a source of comedy – in the same fashion as every other member of the titular Squad – Gunn gives the character the right to exist in

The is to create a film filled with characters that are both epic and hilarious. A giant, anthropomorphic great white shark that eats bad guys whole and who speaks in single-word sentences is the epitome of such a fusion. Some of Gunn’s best writing in the Guardians of the Galaxy films comes from character interaction, especially while forcing those of a serious nature such as Gamora to work alongside their simple-minded, often blunt teammates. Parallels can be drawn between such interactions and those that are sure to be present for King Shark and his Squad-mate Bloodsport, played by Idris Elba, for example. Gunn’s success in the genre instills confidence King Shark is set up for nothing but success.

Some may be understandably frustrated that the commanding, powerful, and intelligent killer that is the King Shark from the comics will not be present in The Suicide Squad. However, in a film filled with one-liners from the likes of John Cena and Pete Davidson, a touch of cute and a dash of funny is sure to have audiences rooting for the character’s continued success in the DCEU. Nothing says commanding and powerful quite like a legion of moviegoers championing your cause.

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