James Gunn, of course, is best known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe on the two Guardians of the Galaxy films, but the director is actively trying to explain how different his new DC Extended Universe film, The Suicide Squad, is from his past Marvel works and one of the areas where the difference is evident is in the special effects for the Squad.
Gunn explained the differences during a set visit attended by Screen Rant and other outlets, where he noted that The Suicide Squad, unlike most Marvel movies, uses so-called "practical" special effects instead of the more common Computer-generated imagery (CGI) of most Marvel movies. These are the sort of effects that Tom Cruise is famous for using on the Mission: Impossible movies, where Cruise literally falls from a helicopter or climbs a roof.
Gunn noted, "It's a much, much, much rougher film than Guardians of the Galaxy. Everything is... it's almost completely practical. The biggest sets ever on almost any film, ever... I was able to take all of the heads of departments that I've used on other films, and just do a 'Best of.'"
Gunn then made a specific comparison to Marvel films by adding, "Dan Sudick, who's doing our special effects was just saying this morning, he's doing more special effects, more live special effects in this film, than all of the Marvel movies he's ever done combined. Which is every single Marvel movie that was shot in Atlanta."
The main message that Gunn was going for, though, is to note that these more practical effects allow the violence in the film to feel more "real." He finished by noting, "And so it's just a much more grounded--darker film. Gorier. It's gorier."
Written and directed by James Gunn, The Suicide Squad stars Viola Davis as Amanda Waller, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Michael Rooker as Savant, Flula Borg as Javelin, David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher 2, Idris Elba as Bloodsport, Mayling NG as Mongal, Peter Capaldi as The Thinker, Alice Braga as Solsoria, Sylvester Stallone as King Shark, Pete Davidson as Blackguard, Nathan Fillion as TDK, Sean Gunn as Weasel, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang and John Cena as Peacemaker, with Steve Agee, Taika Waititi and Storm Reid. The film arrives in theaters and on HBO Max Aug. 6.
Source: Screen Rant