James Gunn Teases Start of the Suicide Squad With a Ramones Reference

The Suicide Squad director James Gunn is hinting at things to come with a photo of the film’s script and a possible hint at what the film’s soundtrack may sound like. Gunn tweeted out the photo with the hashtag #HeyHoLetsGo. The hashtag seems to be a reference to the song “Blitzkrieg Bop” from The Ramones‘ 1976 self-titled debut album, which helped kickstart the punk rock genre in the United States. Gunn is known for putting together distinctive soundtracks for his films, especially the “Awesome Mix” mixtapes from his Guardians of the Galaxy movies. Perhaps he’s leaning into a punk rock vibe for The Suicide Squad?

That cast of The Suicide Squad includes Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag) and Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang) returning from the David Ayer-directed 2016 Suicide Squad movie. They’re joined by newcomers Idris Elba, Michael Rooker, Peter Capaldi, Nathan Fillion, Sean Gunn, David Dastmalchian, Storm Reid, Pete Davidson, Taika Waititi and John Cena.

Producer Peter Safran told ComicBook.com that Gunn’s film is “not a sequel” to Ayer’s Suicide Squad, despite having some cast members and characters in common. The title of The Suicide Squad reflects that difference. “It’s called The Suicide Squad,” Safran said. “It’s not Suicide Squad 2. It is not a sequel. I will leave that alone but, yes, it’s called The Suicide Squad.”

Warner Bros. hired Gunn to write and direct the new film while he was at-the-time fired from Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Though Gunn is now back on board the Marvel film, he’ll make The Suicide Squad first.

Gunn’s brother, actor Sean Gunn, told ComicBook.com that he’s read his brother’s script for the film and was impressed. “I know that he’s very excited about shooting and now that I have read the script for it, I will say nothing other than that it’s really good,” Gunn said. “And I know that he’s pretty jazzed about it, so I’m definitely excited to hear what happens next. But they start shooting soon.”

Are you excited about The Suicide Squad? What do you think Gunn’s soundtrack for the film will be like? Let us know in the comments.

The Suicide Squad is scheduled to open in theaters on August 6, 2021. Other upcoming DC Extended Universe movies include Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) on February 7, 2020, Wonder Woman 1984 on June 5, 2020, and The Batman on June 25, 2021.