Although the official opening date of The Suicide Squad is Friday, August 6, the first screenings in the United States will be the day before, on Thursday evening.Director James Gunn made sure that everyone knew about the early shows by tweeting, "For those of you who can’t wait, #TheSuicideSquad is coming to you a day early in the US - see it on the evening of Thursday, August 5." He added a more personal note about the date of August 5, "which also happens to be my birthday," and included the hashtag "#InSquadWeTrust."
The practice of including movie times on Thursday evenings is commonplace when blockbuster films are released on Fridays, although this doesn't change the official date that's cited in publicity. Fans in the US who are excited to see The Suicide Squad at the earliest possible opportunity should check their local theater listings for advance tickets available for the Thursday shows.
Although the film will be getting a simultaneous release on HBO Max, it does not appear that the timing will be a perfect match, as the Thursday night screening has only been noted as applying to the theatrical release.
The Suicide Squad is a reboot of David Ayer's 2016 Suicide Squad film, including some of the same actors and characters and based on the same theme of DC's supervillains being recruited into a team for a dangerous mission, but featuring a storyline that stands on its own.
The previous film, rated PG-13, was a box office success but received poor reviews from critics and a mixed response from audiences. The Suicide Squad is an R-rated film which promises extreme violence and the deaths of multiple characters, but Gunn describes its story as being emotional and complex. A TV series spinoff, Peacemaker, is also in the works, slated to premiere on HBO Max next year.
Gunn showed his own excitement for the movie's release with a response to a fan who joked that they should get him a birthday present when they go to the theater to watch The Suicide Squad on August 5. "You going to the theater IS my birthday present," wrote Gunn.
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: Twitter