Hollywood is home to a wide range of talented actors who can perfectly embody their roles. Viola Davis stands out among them by captivating audiences with her flawless performances. But her on-screen presence has captivated more than just viewers. James Gunn, a renowned filmmaker, admitted to having a real fear of Davis and attributed it to her unmatched capacity for personifying her role as Amanda Waller.
The Grammy Award-winning actress who played Task Force X’s leader appeared in the DC Extended Universe in 2016’s Suicide Squad. Her portrayal of the ruthless government agent was a highlight of David Ayer’s film, which received criticism for its storyline, directing, editing, and action sequences.
Then, in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad (2021), Davis made a comeback to command Task Force X on an entirely new dangerous mission.
Even James Gunn Is Scared of Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller
Viola Davis starred as the ruthless intelligence officer Amanda Waller in the superhero blockbuster The Suicide Squad in 2021. Audiences were in awe and terror as she expertly captured Waller’s ruthlessness in this role.
The film’s director, James Gunn, talked about working with Davis and said that her portrayal of evil on screen was so convincing that it gave him the chills. He told EW:
“Viola Davis is the sweetest person who turns into this malevolent force as Amanda Waller. I’m not kidding. She scares the sh-t out of me.”
Additionally, the co-CEOs of DC Studios admitted the same in an interview with The New York Times. The following is a quote from Gunn:
“She [Viola Davis] has no qualms about doing that whatsoever. She’s just the sweetest person in the world and Waller is scary. When she’s on set and that turn happens, I am literally afraid to come in and give her a note because of the look in her eyes. It is incredibly intimidating. She comes up to here [holds hand at height of his neck] on me. But it is. She’s amazing.”
Why Did Viola Davis Enjoy Playing Amanda Waller?
Even though David Ayer’s Suicide Squad was not the best movie to hit theaters in 2016, it can at least be commended for its almost flawless casting.
Although the movie experienced some turbulence during reshoots and recuts, Viola Davis still enjoyed playing one of the toughest female characters. During her appearance as a guest on Variety’s Playback podcast, Davis was questioned about what it was like to be a part of such a high-profile superhero film. She stated:
“I loved it. And I think I loved it because I didn’t think that deeply about it. I just thought it was fun. What was fun to me about Amanda Waller — who is heavy, pearls, afro — she has no superhuman strength, but absolutely just puts fear into the hearts of all these villains. That appeals to me greatly. There’s something about her for me that was familiar. I was working out the bad girl, but from a space that, for me, is based somewhat in reality. I liked playing with that power. It’s something so often not given to women, that kind of unapologetic bada–ery.”
Moreover, the actress, 58, described her intense ‘fascination’ with the character in an interview with Nerd Report:
“I’m fascinated by her. I’m fascinated by her in this world of superhero-ness because she is not a woman that you would expect. I think that she is a massive contradiction. She’s this big powerful black woman, hard, ready to pick up a gun and shoot anyone at will. I’m fascinated in exploring her psychology, just put it that way. And I’m excited to pick up a gun.”
Meanwhile, you can stream both Suicide Squad and The Suicide Squad on Max.
Source- EW; NYT; Variety’s Playback ; Nerd Report
