Buzz has increased that Idris Elba is playing Bronze Tiger in James Gunn’s ‘The Suicide Squad’. This report comes as part of a larger article from Forbes, which mainly discusses Robert Pattinson‘s casting as the lead in Matt Reeve’s ‘The Batman’. While discussing some of Warner Brothers’ other projects, specifically ‘The Suicide Squad’, that article’s writer, Matt Hughes mentions:
“Idris Elba (whom I’ve heard could be playing Bronze Tiger)”
It was announced in March that the ‘Dark Tower’ actor had signed on for the DC Comics movie to replace Will Smith, who had starred in 2016’s ‘Suicide Squad’, helmed by David Ayer, as Floyd Lawton, a.k.a. the assassin Deadshot. But in April, word surfaced that Elba would not play Deadshot, partially because Gunn wanted to give him his own identity, and partially to leave the door open for Smith to return in a future movie. But so far, Elba’s role has been kept secret.
I personally guessed that he would portray Bronze Tiger, a major character from the ‘Suicide Squad’ comic books who was not used in the first film. Gunn has stressed that his favorite run from the comics was that written by John Ostrander, and during his run, Bronze Tiger was one of the main characters.
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In the comics, Bronze Tiger, a.k.a. Ben Turner, was part of Ra’s al-Ghul’s League of Assassins, although he was brainwashed at the time. He became one of the most deadly martial artists in the world, and among his crimes was murdering Kathy Kane, the original Batwoman. During his time in the ‘Suicide Squad’, he was rid of the League’s brainwashing. In more recent comics, he was mutated into a metahuman who is half-man, half-tiger.
Michael Jai White portrayed Bronze Tiger on ‘Arrow’.
Warner Brothers, DC Comics and Gunn have not yet publically announced whom Elba is playing, but this makes the most sense.
The rest of the cast of ‘The Suicide Squad’ includes John Cena (Peacemaker, unconfirmed), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man, Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag), Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher, and Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn). It is scheduled to open on August 6, 2021.
