What a tumultuous time to be a fan of Warner Bros. big-screen DC Comics universe. Not only isBen Affleckofficiallyout as Bruce WayneforMatt Reeves’The Batman, butTHRalso reports that none other thanJames Gunnis in negotiations to direct the sequel toSuicide Squad. Back in October of last year it was reported that the formerGuardians of the Galaxyfilmmaker was more than likely to write the script, but now it looks like Gunn will pull double duty for a film that’s being described not as a direct sequel but a reboot of sorts for the rag-tag crew of vigilantes. According to reports, the movie will debut under the nameThe Suicide Squad.
David Ayer’s original film—which was top-lined byMargot Robbieas Harley Quinn andWill Smithas Deadshot—was met with what you could generously call a less than enthusiastic reaction from critics. But it did snag $746 million at the worldwide box office and spawn a spin-off,Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which Robbie will co-star in along withMary Elizabeth-Winstead,Jurnee Smollett-Bell, andRosie Perez.
Gunn, too, has had a pretty rocky couple of months after the director was unceremoniously ousted by Disney from theGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise after some questionable old Tweets resurfaced. (We had afew thoughts on the matter.) But the filmmaker’s star appears to be on the rise once again; not only has he basically landed theSuicide Squad 2gig, but the Gunn-produced dark superhero taleBrightburnis set to hit theaters on May 24.
I feel like Gunn’s sensibilities fit aSuicide Squadmovie perfectly; he pretty much perfected the “Plucky Small-Time Villains Go Good” formula with theGOTGmovie. Plus, the jumping ship from Marvel to DC aspect of it all just adds a layer of deliciousness to the whole thing. If we’re being honest, why else pay attention to all this behind nonsense if not for the dramaaaa?
The Suicide Squadis currently slated for an August 2021 release date.
