‘Suicide Squad’ Casting Update: Viola Davis 'Excited To Pick Up A Gun' As Amanda Waller

Viola Davis, Oprah Winfrey and Olivia Spencer were among the possible candidates chosen to portray the role of Amanda Waller in David Ayer's version of the "Suicide Squad." After many speculations, it seems the role has been given to the "How To Get Away With Murder" star Viola Davis.

Davis recently addressed the role and the casting directly during her promotional tour for her upcoming movie "Blackhat." In an interview with Nerd Report the actress happily talked about her involvement in the movie. Talking to Fred Topel, Viola Davis revealed she has yet to do some more research regarding the character and that she has yet to start reading the comics as well. "I've read up about her but I'm working out my schedule for Suicide Squad," she said. Likewise, the actress also admitted her love for the character, claiming she is "fascinated" by Amanda Waller whom she described as a "massive contradiction."

"I'm fascinated by her in this world of superhero-ness because she is not a woman that you would expect," she said.

The actress also described the character as "this big powerful black woman, hard, ready to pick up a gun and shoot anyone at will." Generally, Davis revealed she is fascinated by the psychology of the character, which she is willing to explore. Having done action movies in the past, Viola Davis also expressed her excitement at the prospect of picking up a gun for her role.

Latino Review initially broke the story regarding the actress' role in the 2016 movie. Sources claimed Viola Davis has been cast to play as the former congressional aid and head of the "Suicide Squad." At that time, the only thing supposedly keeping the actress from landing the part was her busy schedule filming her episodes with "How To Get Away With Murder."

According to Cinema Blend's Adam Holmes, Viola Davis is a "fantastic choice" as Amanda Waller in David Ayer's film. Holmes credits the actress' numerous "powerful performances," which he thinks would help her play as the "tough-as-nails government operative quite well." In the DC comics, Waller is described as a "ruthless woman" who runs a team of incarcerated super-villains known as the "Suicide Squad." In The New Earth version, the villain is characterised by her non-threatening physical appearance, with her being a large, older woman.

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