Greg Berlanti Confirms The Suicide Squad On ‘Arrow’ Was A Test For The Film

Suicide Squad was, just like all of DC’s extended universe movies, another one that split audiences right down the middle. The majority of critics disliked it, but the majority of fans loved it. The concept of Task Force X was always a popular one in the comics, using a unique angle to bring together a team of super villains to fight for a (somewhat) noble cause.

The concept was so popular in the comics that they decided to test it out in live action to see if it warranted a film. How did they decide to test it? Their only live action option at the time, Arrow. The Suicide Squad on Arrow was comprised of villains from the series, Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, Shrapnel, Cupid, and Amanda Waller. They added Diggle and his wife Lyla to to the team, and even gave us a Harley Quinn cameo easter egg.

Needless to say, the second season Suicide Squad episode went over very well. Arrow fans ate up the inclusion of the Squad, and it did well enough that the execs at WB decided to green light a movie. In a recent interview with Vulture, Greg Berlanti confirms that the Suicide Squad on Arrow was included to test reception for a potential film.