James Gunn Finally Answers Whether Viola Davis Will Return as Amanda Waller
James Gunn just set the record straight on Amanda Waller’s future in the DCU — and whether Viola Davis is still calling the shots.
Quick status check on Amanda Waller: James Gunn still wants Viola Davis in the role, but that long-talked-about Waller series is not exactly sprinting to the finish line.
Is Viola Davis still Waller in the DCU?
That appears to be the plan. Gunn, who runs DC Studios and also directed Guardians of the Galaxy, says he wants Davis back as the former A.R.G.U.S. boss. No recast news, no hedging — just a clear preference to keep her.
"I would certainly hope so. Viola and I have a great relationship. I love her to death. I think she is one of the greatest actors I have ever worked with, and so I would certainly hope so."
Translation: if deals and schedules line up, it is Viola.
About that Waller series...
It exists in development, but it has slipped behind other DCU priorities. At the Peacemaker Season 2 red carpet, Gunn said work has started on the show, yet other projects have moved faster. His words (and yes, he really said "fastly"):
"We are working on it, but you know some things have moved really fastly and some things not so fast – and that has been a thing that has not moved so fast. But I can not wait to see Viola get her Waller outfits on, with her s--- floral dresses and do something special."
So, development: active but slow. Expect it after some other DCU titles.
Where we have seen Viola Davis as Waller
- 2016: Suicide Squad (first appearance)
- 2021: The Suicide Squad (return, now under Gunn)
- 2022: Peacemaker (uncredited cameo)
- 2022: Black Adam (uncredited cameo)
- 2024: Creature Commandos (voices the animated Waller)
That run makes Davis one of the rare faces to bridge the old DCEU and the new DCU.
One quick sourcing note
Gunn made the Waller comments in an interview with Deadline, but that piece is not on Deadline anymore. A syndicated version is up on Yahoo News. This update was first reported by Apoorv Rastogi at SuperHeroHype, and then picked up elsewhere.