[Howell:] Welcome back to CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell. Well despite some rotten reviews for this particular movie the new movie "Suicide Squad" is expected to have a blockbuster opening weekend and Warner Brothers is hoping that will be the case after the underwhelming response to its Batman versus Superman movie. Some good news for the studio, the film already pulled in more than $20 million in preview showings. Here's Neil Curry with more on that.
[Neil Curry, Cnn Correspondent:] Packed with characters from the D.C comic book world and boasting a cast of cinematic super heroes, including Will Smith, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, and Margot Robbie, "Suicide Squad" held out the prospect of a force to be reckoned with. The trailers have many film fans licking their lips in anticipation. The story concerns on the series of super villains rounded up and coerced into working as a fighting force against another evil enemy. As for the filmmakers, the critics may have appeared to be the true villains of the piece? [inaudible] plot, direction and characters alike.
[Charles Roven, Producer:] The critics are individuals and they're entitled to their opinion. You know hopefully, you know the fans and the other people who see the movie, hopefully new fans as well as fans of the Suicide Squad will feel differently and maybe they'll reconsider.
[Curry:] The previous release in the super hero franchise, Batman versus Superman, recovered from a series of crucial body blows to take on almost $900 million. Whether the dislocation continues a dream the critics on the one hand and the audience on the other, depends largely on fans like this here in London and around the world. Fans in 10 countries had an immediate opportunity to take part in the proceedings via a live link up between premiers in the U.K., Mexico, South Africa, UAE, Germany, Italy, Holland, Portugal, Ukraine, and Spain. With diversity still high on the Hollywood agenda and international markets to be reached, Will Smith described the cast as a rainbow embracing all races, creeds and colors, that's a view echoed by the rest of the cast.
[Karen Fukuhara, Actress:] I'm getting a lot in social media responses and they've just been saying they're proud to see a Japanese woman play a Japanese role.
[Jay Hernadez, Actor:] Hopefully, you know, this is a part of the you know, the change that's happening. Maybe the pendulum is swinging in the other direction.
[Adewale Akinnuoye-agbaje, Actor:] It reflects on our society. You know me as a black man, it's always been tough to get those leading roles.
[Curry:] Amid plans to release several more films over the next decade the D.C. franchise has engaged in an ongoing battle to conquer the critics and avoid cinematic suicide. Neil Curry, CNN, London.
[Howell:] "Suicide Squad" we'll just have to wait and see. I didn't necessarily like how Batman versus Superman ended, I'm a superman, guy so. All right, Doctors in Singapore are getting help from a futuristic new assistant that is called Emma. What makes Emma a little different from your typical masseuse is the fact that Emma is a robot. The inventor of Emma says it wasn't designed to replace a massage therapist, rather, it's supposed to help people rather help with the more physically tiring part of the massage so the doctor can focus on engaging with their patient. That looks like a good idea. Thanks for being with us here on CNN NEWSROOM. I'm George Howell. I have more news from around the world right after the break, thank you for watching CNN, the world's news leader.