Over the years, DC Films have enjoyed a ‘friendly’ rivalry with Marvel Studios over the success of their respective cinematic universes.

After the underwhelming reception for the all-star anti-hero flick Suicide Squad (2016), DC have called upon one of Marvel’s most popular filmmakers to work on its sequel.

Following a brief hiatus, James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2) has taken the reins for this sequel which sees Margot Robbie take centre stage again as colourful supervillain Harley Quinn after her recent spin-off film Birds of Prey (2019).

Simply (and boringly) entitled The Suicide Squad, the action-blockbuster has premiered its red-band trailer online.

The plot sees Harley and a collection of convicts at Belle Reve prison join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X where they are heavily-armed and dropped off at the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese.

The key role of Bloodsport has also been recast with Marvel favourite Idris Elba (Luther, Thor trilogy) stepping in for Will Smith after he opted not to return.

Additionally, the new film welcomes a series of newcomers including John Cena (12 Rounds, Bumblebee) as Peacemaker, Peter Capaldi (The Thick of It, Doctor Who) as Thinker, David Dastmalchian (The Dark Knight, Ant-Man) as Polka-Dot Man, Daniela Melchior (A Herdeira, Parque Mayer) as Ratcatcher II, Michael Rooker (The Walking Dead, Guardians of the Galaxy) as Savant, Alice Braga (Elisyium, Queen of the South) as SolSoria, Pete Davidson (Saturday Night Live, The King of Staten Island) as Blackguard, Storm Reid (Euphoria, The Invisible Man) as Tyla, Nathan Fillon (Firefly, Castle) as T.D.K., Sean Gunn (Gilmore Girls, Guardians of the Galaxy) as Weasel, Flula Borg (Pitch Perfect 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet) as Javelin, Mayling Ng (The Scorpian King: Book of Souls, The Debt Collector 2) as Mongal and Hollywood favourite Sylvester Stallone (Rocky series, Rambo series) as King Shark.

From the original film, Margot Robbie is joined by Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang) and Viola Davis (Amanda Waller).

The Suicide Squad’s arrival comes in the wake of recent success for DC Films following the box-office dominance of Birds of Prey and Wonder Woman 1984, and the re-released ‘Snyder Cut’ of another all-star blockbuster; Justice League.

The Suicide Squad is (currently) scheduled for a cinematic release in the UK on August 6.