Last night, El Mayimbe of Latino Review broke the news that Viola Davis was in final negotiations to portray Amanda Waller in Warner Brothers’ upcoming Suicide Squad movie. Back when the cast was first announced a few weeks ago, it was reported that the studio was interested in Davis for the role of Amanda Waller — who could play a key Nick Fury-like role in the upcoming DC Cinematic Universe — but reports also had Oprah Winfrey and Octavia Spencer circling the role as well.
Of those three choices, Davis was always my favorite for the part, as evidenced by this tweet from December 2:
Is there anything better than @violadavis (channeling Annalise Keating) as Amanda Waller in #SuicideSquad? #HTGAWM http://t.co/16hm936WZc
— The Nerds of Color (@TheNerdsofColor) December 3, 2014
Last year, when Cynthia Addai-Robinson was first cast on Arrow, we looked at the multimedia history of the Wall in DC Comics. We also lamented the fact that The CW superhero show was reflecting the New 52 version of the character — which, if you didn’t know, made Waller more slimmed-down, sexed-up, and lighter-complexioned than any previous interpretation.
The fact that Warner Brothers had those three actresses on their Amanda Waller shortlist gives me hope that the movie version will be more reflective of how the character has been traditionally represented, even if Oprah, Octavia, and Viola aren’t spitting images of their comic counterpart.
Sure, Viola Davis is not a woman of size or as large as the character has been portrayed in comics or animation, but she’s also not waifish either (sorry, CW viewers). I’m confident that she’ll lend the gravitas necessary for the role. And while I know a lot of folks wanted CCH Pounder for the part, it’s a lot like how Batfans prefer Kevin Conroy over any other Bat actor. It makes sense, but I’m cool with separate actors for live action and voice over roles.
Either way, I’ll be intrigued to see what Davis will bring to the role. Like I said in my tweet, if she can channel some of the shades of grey that exists in her How to Get Away with Murder character, the Suicide Squad will be all the better for it. This might be the first time where the movie side of the DC Universe might be preferable to the CW side.
Viola Davis seems like a great casting choice. I was disappointed with Arrows choice as well but I think its just their M.O. A lot of their casting seem to be based on how they look rather if than talent but the show is great, so I don’t have much to complain about.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson is very talented. She went to Tisch School of the Arts. She was great as Amanda Waller on Arrow and was saddened by her death.
Cynthia Addai-Robinson is actually very talented. She went to Tisch School of the Arts. She was great as Amanda Waller on Arrow and am I still really saddened by her death.
Actually Amanda is no Nick Fury, he’s far too honorable whereas Nick tried to save NYC in Avengers if Waller had been in his place she would have pressed the button herself. She’s uh ends justify the means kind of person and prides herself on making people do things against their own ethics.