Viola Davis Confirms Talks of Becoming Amanda Waller in 'Suicide Squad'

As previously reported, Viola Davis had won out over Oprah Winfrey and Octavia Spencer for the coveted role of the no-nonsense handler of Task Force X in David Ayer's comic book adaptation Suicide Squad. There's been no official confirmation from the studio but in an interview with Nerd Report she revealed she is indeed in negotiations to be Waller and looks forward to studying up on the character and playing such a complex powerhouse.

“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.”

No stranger to action, Davis was promoting her latest film, the thriller Blackhat, also starring Chris Hemsworth (who knows a thing or two about comic book movies) and directed by Michael Mann.

Blackhat hits theaters January 16, 2015 and Suicide Squad is scheduled for release August 5, 2016. 

You can catch Davis chewing up the scenery as the brilliantly powerful but flawed law professor on ABC's hit drama How to Get Away with Murder. The show returns January 29.