As a long-time fan and supporter of James Gunn‘s work, I find his ability to craft deeply emotional and thought-provoking narratives truly remarkable. His latest creation, Weasel from “Creature Commandos,” is a testament to this skill. The episode “Chasing Squirrels” is undeniably heart-wrenching, and it’s clear that Gunn poured his soul into crafting this tale of innocence, misunderstanding, and tragic consequences.

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In the 2021 film “The Suicide Squad,” James Gunn presented Weasel as a character from DC Comics who was wrongly accused of killing 27 children. This accusation led to his imprisonment in Belle Reve, but in reality, he had not committed these crimes.

“I didn’t know the specifics of it, but I always knew that it wasn’t fair,” Gunn says.

It wasn’t until Gunn reintroduced the character Weasel for the animated DC series “Creature Commandos” that he had an opportunity to clarify the misconceptions surrounding this peaceful creature, who was unfairly labeled a child murderer. In this show, as the main team tackles their mission involving Princess Ilana Rostovic (played by Maria Bakalova), each episode delves into one of their pasts, all written by Gunn. The fourth episode, titled “Chasing Squirrels,” focuses on Weasel’s history. And let me tell you, it’s a dark tale.

Gunn admits he feels deeply affected when discussing the topic,” he says, his voice softening unexpectedly. “When I completed it, I was in Colorado with my wife. I distinctly recall saying, ‘I believe I’ve just penned the saddest piece I’ve ever created throughout my entire career.’

The narrative unfolds through a sequence of flashbacks, revealing that Weasel’s journey commences as he steps out from the woods near an elementary school during the Thanksgiving vacation, where he crosses paths with a group of kids at play. The origins of Weasel and his true identity remain shrouded in mystery, but it is evident to the children that he is a gentle creature posing no threat to them. They all enjoy their time together, but trouble arises when an elderly man approaches, misconstruing Weasel’s behavior as hostile – largely due to his preconceived notion that any large, furry animal must be inherently dangerous. In response, he hastily returns to his cabin to dial 911 and retrieve his shotgun.

Simultaneously, one of the children notices that the school’s back door remains unlocked. In a rush, they all dash inside, with Weasel hot on their heels, joining in their games as they wander aimlessly and eventually find themselves in the basement near the boiler room. A chain of unfortunate events – playing with (but not drinking) a teacher’s alcohol, striking a match near a pile of soiled rags – leads to a fire, all while an old man emerges and begins shooting at Weasel. The boiler erupts, claiming the life of the man and every child except for one small girl. This is when two policemen gaze into the basement, witnessing Weasel surrounded by the lifeless bodies of the children, frantically trying to rescue the little girl while the school burns fiercely around them.

In a similar vein, these individuals instinctively anticipate the worst and immediately open fire on Weasel, who is frantically trying to escort the child to safety. The police manage to subdue Weasel just as he’s about to reach the door, and they pin him down as the school collapses, entombing the girl beneath the rubble.

As someone who had the privilege of embodying Weasel in “The Suicide Squad” through performance capture and lending my voice to him in “Creature Commandos,” I must confess, his tale left me profoundly saddened. Working alongside my brother James since the mid-1990s, I’ve come to expect a certain depth from his stories. Yet, the particular shades of darkness woven into Weasel’s story took me by surprise. After all, the man behind the character carries a darkness of his own, and it permeates much of his work.

The story began when James Gunn asked Sean to portray Weasel as if he were a large, affectionate canine. According to Sean, Weasel doesn’t speak in words, but any dog owners can understand that their pets have intricate emotional lives. By subjecting this character to various trials, it becomes both relatable and unique – a mix of tragedy, sadness, and something fresh, unlike anything usually seen on television.

During several recording sessions, Sean Gunn meticulously captured the concluding scene, enacting Weasel’s movements seamlessly throughout a single, continuous take, culminating in his heart-wrenching shout as law enforcement officers forcibly remove him from the scene.

He admits that during our initial attempt, he wasn’t feeling well, and his scream was only a small fraction of what was required, truthfully speaking. However, upon our second visit, we were fully aware that we had to significantly improve the intensity of the scream.

The sequence, brimming with animation, turned out to be equally demanding due to the heart-wrenching portrayal of children’s deaths on screen. “We experimented with various versions of that entire scene,” explains executive producer Dean Lorey. “It was tough to strike the perfect balance in its depiction. We aimed to convey the intense emotion and horror unfolding, yet we were cautious not to sensationalize it.

In James Gunn’s view, this episode underscores his recurring interest in portraying characters often misjudged by mainstream society. He describes Weasel, a character from the series, as having an exceptional nobility. “Ultimately,” he states, “Weasel, in many aspects, is the most honorable character in the show. This creature, despite his unique appearance, is frequently mistreated because he’s different from others.

And it seems Weasel’s tragic story isn’t over yet.

James Gunn hints that the character’s past will significantly affect future episodes. He also notes that this character leans more towards the ‘good’ rather than the ‘bad’ in terms of a moral spectrum.

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2024-12-21 03:46