The Suicide Squad's King Shark Origins Explained

Our big beautiful toothy boy, that most ravenous of Belle Reve inmates, was very rarely called by his most famous moniker during James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, instead going by the name “Nanaue” — and if you aren’t super familiar with the comics or Pacific Island mythology, ya might have wondered why. Well, don’t worry, ‘cause I’m gonna tell ya about it, complete with probably terrible pronunciation of Polynesian names. In the film our loveable maneater is referred to as potentially being the descendent of an ancient shark god. Well, that’s uh… yeah, that’s most of it right there. He’s literally related to a god. Maybe.

In this video we’ll more specifically talk about the myth that inspired the character and the name, and how it’s been part of his comic book story since the very beginning. One thing we don’t mention in the video is that, while he technically premieres as a proper baddie in Superboy #9, Big Pappa Shark first shows up in Superboy #0 in a short cameo (complete with his mythological name). Not only is his name nothing new, it was how we were first introduced to him back in 1994.

Our story starts in Hawaii, home of Dog the Bounty Hunter, volcanoes, and apparently some pretty sick mythology. According to those legends — which are adapted very liberally in his debut — Nanaue was the son of Kamohoalii. This sharkiest of sharks was also a shapeshifter, naturally, which is a pretty important detail. DC’s original anthropomorphic Jaws was swimming around the shallows off the short of the Waipio Valley and became all hot and bothered when he saw a beautiful young woman by the name of Kalei bathing — Kaikea in the comics, but we’re talkin’ OG origins here. Needless to say, our boy Kamohoalii was more than willing to put his shapeshifting powers to, uh, questionable use and transformed himself into a man. Presumably some facsimile of Jason Momoa. Luckily he didn’t go full Zeus, instead courting her until they fell in love and got hitched -- and soon enough Kalei was pregnant with the boy who would nom.

For the rest of the story, check out the video! Get outta this here description. What are you even doing down here??

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:32 The Suicide Squad
0:50 The Myth of Nanaue
3:33 The Comics
4:35 From Page to Screen

Check out the Behind The Screen Podcast - By Screen Rant on Spotify!

Our Social Media:

Our Website:

Written by: Michael Keene
Narrated by: Michael Keene
Edited by: Michael Keene

[ScreenRant]

What is your favorite King Shark moment and quote? Do you think he should have his own movie?

[eazy]

"Nanaue king of the sharks; sharkiest of sharks"

[eazy]

Nanaue: "Hand"
Amanda Waller: "Yes, Nanaue that is your hand, very good"

[SWolfmoon]

When he holds up his hand during the meeting and points to it and says “hand” is one of my favorite parts. I want a shirt with him and Nom Nom on it, very badly.

[khartog]

I hope we get a scene in a future movie with him and Aquaman.

[Yujiboygaeming]

NEVER DISRESPECT MY BOI KING SHARK HES TOO PRECIOUS 😭

[iternal]

There's a lightning god, an earth god, and a shark god.

What god doesn't exist yet

[gamerstheater]

the funny part is, Sharks don't like human meat so it doesn't really make sense for Nanaue to.

[alm]

The kid's back had the mouth of a shark on it?

Silver lining is he'd be receptive anytime there's something you've got to give him feedback on.

[genericcomicbookfan]

I REALLY REALLY REALLY wanna hug King Shark so badly. I don’t even care if he’d eat me. Still worth it.

[DrJay-vdtf]

Nanaue: Eats people whole and alive.
Internet: Aww, nom nom boi so cute 😍

[george.w.s]

I love this version of King Shark! Favorite character. I like how they referred to him as Nanaue as opposed to king shark.

[mr.bigmeatyclaws]

My favorite line from King Shark is when he radios in and says "Bird" also might I just say King Shark is a national treasure in all his forms like in here or in Justice league dark apocalypse war.

[davejordan]

It's really cool to see Polynesian characters on the big screen, and told in a way that can impact people. Poly Love <3

[Galvamel]

Best version of King Shark is from the Harley Quinn series hands down, this is a close second though.

[michaelgr]

I really prefer him that dump and cute rather than being all muscular and big.
3:20 so he was dead and then came back from the dead after the chopped him to pieces and burned those pieces?

[trexadvent]

Would it have been awesome if we saw the origin of King_Shark along with how his mother and Kamo fell in love with each other in the Suicide Squad 2 movie?

[JRKonungrinn]

King Shark is so awesome in the Harley Quinn cartoon. I was pretty bummed that The Suicide Squad didn't make him like that.

[eating]

Day 11 of petitioning for an “8 mile” pitch meeting

[Opportunist]

I have a better question...what in the sam hell were those things he was running around with?