When James Gunn announced he was directing The Suicide Squad, fans did not know what to expect. The 2016 Suicide Squad by David Ayer was a massive flop, and fans were skeptical about the new movie. 

However, it shocked the internet when it was released on August 5, 2021, because of how good the movie was. Gunn's direction, cinematography, and script were critically acclaimed since The Suicide Squad had surpassed its predecessor. 

One reason for the movie's success is the ensemble cast. Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, Sylvester Stallone, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Daniela Melchior, John Cena, and David Dastmalchian, among others, did a fantastic job in the movie. 

While all the artists performed excellently, Dastmalchian was loved by both fans and critics. He played the role of adorable Polka-Dot Man, who wished to be a superhero and help people. 

Recently, on August 26, 2021, the actor talked with NME, where he discussed the connection he felt with Polka-Dot Man. 

David Dastmalchian's Connection to Polka-Dot Man

Abner Krill, who goes by the name of Polka-Dot Man, is a supervillain who has a feud with Batman and Robin in DC Comics. He is not a significant character in the comics but still one of the most formidable villains in the DC universe.

Polka-Dot Man was revamped in The Suicide Squad from a villain to a superhero. He is the son of a S.T.A.R. Labs scientist who tried to make him and his siblings into superheroes by exposing them to an interdimensional virus.

As a result, he developed a condition that created multicolored polka-dots and luminous bumps all over his body. To avoid death, he must expel the polka-dots twice a day, or the virus that causes them will eat him from the inside.

He was transported to Belle Reve Penitentiary for murdering his mother. Polka-Dot Man sees everyone around him as his mother because of his terrible childhood.

Amanda Waller recruits him for Task Force X and sends him to infiltrate and destroy a Corto Maltese facility named Jötunheim, which houses Starro. 

Gunn offered Dastmalchian the role of Polka-Dot Man two years ago. However, despite being a fan of comic books, the actor had never heard about Polka-Dot Man. 

He was astonished to work with Gunn, especially when the director revealed he wrote about the character keeping Dastmalchian in mind. After the actor read the script, he felt an immediate connection to Polka-Dot Man. 

There are two things that Dastmalchian could relate to his character — mental health and skin condition. The actor struggled with morbid depression for most of his life.

He is currently in a good place after working on his mental health for the past 19 years. His depression was so bad that it prompted suicide attempts. This feeling helped the actor connect with Polka-Dot Man. 

He understood why his character joined the task force and put his life on the line without hesitation. Dastmalchian explained this willingness as an opportunity for Polka-Dot Man "to end his sufferings."

The actor developed an autoimmune disorder called vitiligo when he was in the third grade. According to Healthline, vitiligo is a condition where the cells responsible for skin color are destroyed.

As a result, the skin turns white and forms patches all over the body. Little spots started showing up in Dastmalchian's body. He was very ashamed of himself and was bullied for being different. 

He has adapted to his condition now, but the shame and disgust he felt were like how Polka-Dot Man felt because of his skin. Therefore, the actor could channel his struggles into Polka-Dot Man.