DC Comics

We won't see Batman and Superman assemble with their fellow "Justice League" heroes for quite a while, but we already have our first look at the DC Universe's mightiest villains:

That's director David Ayer and the massive cast of "Suicide Squad," the 2016 action movie exploring some of the darkest corners of the DC Universe. You should recognize at least a few of the faces in the pic, although others are less familiar, outright surprising, and otherwise missing.

Here's a rundown of who's who, starting with the top row from left to right, and zigging back all the way until we're identifying the promising up-and-comer in the bottom left:

David Ayer Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images The man on the far left is the director and writer of "Suicide Squad." He's the guy to high-five when this movie knocks your socks off, and the man to yell at on Twitter if it doesn't meet the hype. Joel Kinnaman Jason Kempin/Getty Images Best known for starring on "The Killing" and playing the title role in the "RoboCop" reboot, Kinnaman's the man to play Rick Flagg, one of the key agents who brings the Suicide Squad together. Tom Hardy was originally cast in the role. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje Ian Gavan/Getty Images A personal favorite of mine, Triple A played the short-lived but beloved Mr. Eko on "Lost," and menaced for many seasons as the deadly Simon Adebisi on HBO's "Oz." Here, he's playing Killer Croc, a classic Batman baddie, and one we have never seen in big-screen live-action until now. This isn't Adewale's first superhero rodeo, either; he played Algrim the Strong in "Thor: The Dark World." Jay Hernandez Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images He starred on the short-lived Fox crime series "Gang Related," and the short-lived ABC nuclear thriller "Last Resort." His role isn't confirmed just yet in "Suicide Squad," but it's rumored that he's playing Chato "El Diablo" Santana, a criminal with the power of pyrokinesis. Jai Courtney Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images Soon, you'll see Courtney fighting alongside Arnold Schwarzenegger and Emilia Clarke in "Terminator: Genysis," taking on the role of time-traveling soldier Kyle Reese. In "Suicide Squad," you'll see Courtney fighting alongside different kinds of allies, and wielding unusual weapons as Captain Boomerang. Viola Davis Frazer Harrison/Getty Images The "How to Get Away With Murder" actress had been rumored for the role of Suicide Squad head honcho Amanda Waller for months now. Ayer's picture confirms that she is indeed a part of the team, indicating that she has a long stint in the DC Universe on the horizon. Adam Beach Frazer Harrison/Getty Images The "Law and Order" and "Big Love" vet is new to the cast, revealed to the public for the very first time in this pic. We don't know who he's playing yet. Jim Parrack Kris Connor/Getty Images Hoyt! The biggest "True Blood" sweetheart of them all, Parrack is reuniting with his "Fury" director for "Suicide Squad." Who's he playing? Like Beach, we don't know, as his involvement has just been revealed — but word on the street is he's playing Deathstroke, one of the deadliest killers in the DC Universe. Ike Barinholtz Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images The "Mindy Project" and "The League" comedian is an unlikely face to see in the "Suicide Squad" mix; like Beach and Parrack, his involvement has just been revealed. And like Parrack, Barinholtz already has a rumored role: Hugo Strange, the Arkham Asylum doctor harboring an unhealthy obsession with learning Batman's secret identity. Cara Delevingne Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images Turning toward the bottom right-most player on the board, we have Delevingne, a British fashion model starring in "Suicide Squad" as Enchantress, a super-villain with magical powers. Exactly how those powers will mix and mingle within the grim-and-gritty DC Universe remains to be seen. Shouldn't be too hard to buy; after all, this is a film universe that's about to give us Aquaman. Magic should be a cake walk after that. Margot Robbie Jason Merritt/Getty Images The "Wolf of Wall Street" and "Focus" actress plays Harley Quinn, the Joker's main squeeze, and one of the single most anticipated characters in the entire movie. No pressure! Karen Fukuhara https://instagram.com/p/wH2rRyIRY9/?taken-by=karenfukuhara The relative newcomer is playing Plastique, an explosives expert who has danced the line between right and wrong numerous times throughout her comic book appearances. Given her affiliation with "Suicide Squad," expect her to side with "wrong" this time around. Will Smith Kevin Winter/Getty Images Never seen this guy before. Apparently he's playing Deadshot, one of the world's greatest snipers. Here's hoping this totally untested actor knows what he's doing. Jared Leto Francois Durand/Getty Images The only key player (that we know about) who isn't seen in the picture. What gives? It's not like Leto's been shying away from social media. Perhaps the man behind the Joker wants to keep away from his fellow "Suicide Squad" stars, in order to stay in character. Whatever the reasons, the absence of Leto only builds the hype for the Oscar winner's take on the Clown Prince of Crime.

"Suicide Squad" opens on August 5, 2016.