With nine films under its belt (if you include the recently successful Hobbs & Shaw), there’s no doubting that the Fast and Furious franchise continues to be a box office powerhouse eighteen years since its beginning.

Certainly a franchise that has had it’s growing pains but, like any great film engine, it found its formula and has continued to pop out winner after winner. Are these films that spark conversation, address deep rooted social issues, and provide allegories of our troubled reality? F*** no! They are mindless, hysterical, explosive, and classic popcorn fun!

Yes, in the age of harsh realism and dark films, cheesy explosion blockbusters are still a great time at the movies. Something I feel has added to the success of the Fast and Furious franchise aside from its ridiculous stunts (cars out of airplanes?!) has been the richness of the cast’s diversity. No tokens! Just all shades of people coming together for an action-packed adventure.

As James Gunn posted the official cast of his upcoming Suicide Squad I feel I must wonder- Could Suicide Squad  be the DCEU’s Fast and Furious franchise?

The first installment seemed to have all the pieces! Deadshot, Harley, Boomerang, El Diablo, Killer Croc, and even Amanda Waller felt like pieces that embody the mindless action flick. Where did it go wrong? Taking a grungy street-level property and adding witches and magic to it. Ugh! Not necessary!

Though Gunn has announced his actors he has not yet announced their characters. Safe to say however that those familiar names, Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, and Jai Courtney will indeed be returning to reprise their roles.

As for all the new faces, that sure is a diverse group of people! There is no doubt in my mind that Gunn will bring his talents to make sure this film has the humor his GOTG films have had, and will certainly be more explosive than other DCEU properties we’ve gotten up until now.

Am I excited yet? Nope! I’ll wait for the trailer to care.