Michael Rooker in Talks to Play King Shark in The Suicide Squad

Michael Rooker is following his Guardians of the Galaxy director over to DC for The Suicide Squad. The Wrap reports that Rooker, who played Merle Dixon in The Walking Dead and Yondu in the Guardians films, is in talks to play King Shark in the upcoming James Gunn-written and directed film.

If Rooker does sign on, he would join a cast that includes Margot Robbie, Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, Idris Elba, David Dastmalchian, and Daniela Melchior. Robbie, Davis and Courtney are reprising their roles as Harley Quinn, Amanda Waller and Captain Boomerang, while Dastmalchian is playing Polka-Dot Man and Melchior is playing Ratcatcher. Elba’s role has not yet been revealed. John Cena is also rumored for the film.

King Shark first appeared in 1994’s Superboy #0. Created by Karl Kesel, Shark — real name Nanaue — is a humanoid shark whose father is the Shark God. He appeared as part of the Suicide Squad in the New 52 continuity.

Rooker has a long association with Gunn, having appeared in Super, The Belco Experiment, and Slither, among others. The Suicide Squad will release on August 6th, 2021.