The first footage from The Suicide Squad is complete mayhem

During The Suicide Squad panel during the DC FanDome online event, writer and director James Gunn gave fans a first look at the upcoming DC comic book sequel. Gunn hosted the panel and answered questions before introducing his brand new Task Force X in the form of a behind-the-scenes video.

The sizzle reel shows off the cast, which brings Harley Quinn back with a new redesign, along with Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller. The rest of the team is stacked, but the trailer highlights Idris Elba’s Bloodsport, David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man, John Cena as Peacemaker, Alice Braga as Solsoria, and Pete Davidson as Blackguard. We also get a glimpse of the completely unhinged character Weasel, performed (?) by none other than Rocket Racoon set performer Sean Gunn.

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

Gunn signed on to The Suicide Squad in 2018, the first big project for the director after he was fired by Disney that year. He’s best known in the superhero genre for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. In 2019, Disney decided to bring back Gunn to resume work on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3; he’ll move forward with that project after wrapping on The Suicide Squad.

The Suicide Squad is slated for a release date in August 2021. In 2019, Gunn shared a cast list for the follow-up, confirming that Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, and Viola Davis will return for the new movie. Pete Davidson, Idris Elba, and Taika Waititi will make their debut in The Suicide Squad — but Gunn said fans shouldn’t get “too attached” to any one name.