Deathstroke Almost Lead Team Two in The Suicide Squad

People might have a hard time imagining anybody other than Bloodsport leading Task Force X after watching The Suicide Squad. However, it looks like the second team sent on a mission almost had a completely different leader. Concept art for the James Gunn flick reveals that Deathstroke was considered to lead the team into Corto Maltese.

We all know about the rumors of how Idris Elba was supposed to take over the role of Deadshot after Will Smith bowed out of The Suicide Squad due to scheduling conflicts. However, it was later confirmed that Elba will play Bloodsport in the DC Extended Universe film.

Although Elba was the first choice to play Bloodsport, the character was hardly the first one considered to be the new leader of Task Force X. A new HBO featurette The Suicide Squad: The Way of the Gunn goes behind the scenes in the making of the DCEU movie. In the featurette, the filmmaker is shown discussing the concept along with never-before-seen storyboards behind him.

Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that concept art for Team Two (the second team sent to Corto Maltese) is led by someone in a familiar orange-and-black costume. Needless to say, this confirms that Deathstroke was the original choice to lead the mission in The Suicide Squad.

It's interesting that Slade Wilson almost joined Task Force X in the film. After all, the character already exists in the DCEU, having been introduced in the post-credits scene in Justice League. It's unclear why Joe Manganiello didn't end up in The Suicide Squad but we still believe it was a good call to introduce Bloodsport instead.

The Suicide Squad is currently screening in theaters and on HBO Max.

Related: James Gunn Reveals The Suicide Squad Scene That Went 'Too Far'