Well, this is one way to try and keep up with the ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The folks over at Warner Bros. have been fast assembling their own DC movie universe to try and compete in this heavily superhero saturated world, and they have just unveiled the cast for one such property that has sent fanboys everywhere into a tizzy.

Suicide Squad is one of the first films Warner Bros. has set to kick off their new film universe and is an adaptation of a DC comic that centers on a group of super-villains who are tasked by the US government with seemingly impossible missions, yet if the group succeeds, they receive full pardons for all their dastardly crimes. Leading the group in the film will be Rick Flagg, who is now set to be played by the always fantastic Tom Hardy.

Will Smith, yes the Fresh Prince himself, is set to play the world’s greatest assassin Deadshot while Australian actor Jai Courtney will play the aptly named Captain Boomerang (Care to guess his weapon of choice?). Recent Oscar winner Jared Leto has also signed on to join the team, and boy does he have a lot to live up to. Yes, that’s right, Leto will be playing none other than Batman’s arch-nemesis The Joker, while Wolf of Wall Street’s Margot Robbie will be playing his main squeeze Harley Quinn. Rounding out the team is Cara Delevingne as Enchantress.

All I have to say is…WOW. While going from Ledger to Leto may seem seem like a huge step down for The Joker, I have incredible faith in the film’s director, David Ayer, whose recent film Fury ranks among the best war films of recent memory. Robbie as Harley Quinn is pitch-perfect casting and the prospect of seeing Will Smith have fun with this ensemble cast full of damn good actors is just mouth-watering.

Well, it’s safe to say Warner Bros. have officially sent anticipation for their answer to the MCU up a notch or two, but we’ll officially find out if they can deliver on that promise when David Ayer’s Suicide Squad hits theaters August 5, 2016.

Source: Warner Bros.