SUICIDE SQUAD 2: Everything We Know So Far About James Gunn's First DC Comics Movie
Following the news that James Gunn is being eyed to write and direct the next Suicide Squad movie, we take a look at everything we know about that and how his involvement will probably change things...
Earlier this week, minds everywhere were blown when we learned that Guardians of the Galaxy writer and director James Gunn has been snatched up by Warner Bros. to pen the screenplay (and possibly direct) the Suicide Squad sequel. While details on what he has planned have been few and far between since then, we do know a fair bit about what to expect and where the movie could ultimately be going.
Below, you'll find a breakdown of all the confirmed and rumoured details about the sequel which have been doing the rounds for a while now along with intel on how Gunn's involvement will change things.
Needless to say, an already relatively exciting movie just became one of the most highly anticipated DC Comics adaptations on the calendar and it's going to be very interesting seeing where the project goes from here. So, to check out this breakdown in its entirety, click on the "View List" button down below.
It's Not Going To Be A Sequel
When the news broke that Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn will take the helm of the Suicide Squad sequel, it was widely reported that it would be just that: a sequel. However, The Hollywood Reporter's Borys Kit later revealed that the filmmaker is planning an entirely new take on Task Force X, something which makes sense considering the fact he has his own style and ideas.
Trying to follow what David Ayer did simply wouldn't work for Gunn and despite the success of the first instalment, Warner Bros. definitely needs to come up with a new tone for the team's adventures.
The Original Director And Why He Left
While Mel Gibson was initially asked to direct Suicide Squad 2, Warner Bros. later chose an accomplished filmmaker in Warrior and The Accountant helmer Gavin O'Connor. Having already worked with Ben Affleck on the latter, you have to believe that he must have had some insight into the DC Extended Universe but problems quickly arose when the studio started developing Birds of Prey.
Variety's Justin Kroll says that O'Connor's story for Suicide Squad 2 was nearly identical to what that movie is doing (rescuing someone from a gangster, I guess) and frustrated at not being able to move forward with his vision because of Birds of Prey, he ultimately decided to work on another movie.
What That Means For The Original Screenplay
Well, it's been thrown out and that's probably for the best. It started with The Legend of Tarzan's Adam Cozad working on a version before Gotham actor Todd Stashwick (really) was brought on board to put together a new version with David Bar Katz (Spawn) and O'Connor. Clearly, the studio wasn't impressed because the screenplay was finished last month and the studio has already approached James Gunn.
There's No Release Date
Suicide Squad 2 has never actually had a release date and despite Gunn seemingly coming on board to take charge of the project, it remains undated. That's unlikely to change for a while and seeing as the filmmaker is only in talks to write with an eye to direct, don't be surprised if the follow-up doesn't end up hitting theaters until 2021. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, meanwhile, was being eyed for 2020.
The difference there, however, is that it had a completed screenplay and was meant to start production by now. Unfortunately, things didn't pan out so Gunn will be starting from scratch on this movie.
Birds Of Prey Is A Priority
Something which has been clear for a while now is that Birds of Prey is a bigger priority for Warner Bros. than Suicide Squad 2. That became apparent the second the sequel was put on the backburner for Warner Bros. to start casting the female-led spinoff and it's easy to see why they've made this choice, especially after the success of Wonder Woman (not to mention the popularity of Harley Quinn).
At the end of Suicide Squad, Harley was broken out of prison by The Joker and it's thought that when we find her here, she'll have called it quits with the villain, something which is bound to have an impact on Suicide Squad 2. Well, assuming Gunn ends up deciding to use the same batch of characters...
Shooting Was Supposed To Begin Next March
Had Warner Bros. forged ahead with Suicide Squad 2 as planned, it would have reportedly started shooting next March. While Gunn could get the screenplay ready by that point, there's no way cameras could roll as soon as that, especially when sets need to be built and actors have to be cast. In fact, it's highly unlikely that production will begin until well into 2019 which once again points to 2021 release.
The Returning Cast Members
Before we get to what's changed with the movie, bear in mind that the actors who have pretty much been confirmed to return in the sequel are Will Smith (Deadshot), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Jared Leto (The Joker), and Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag). That's a good start and gives Gunn a lot to work with, especially as he can deliver a far more comic accurate take on all of them in the planned follow-up.
Whether or not he'll want to is another matter, of course, and that leads us to our next point...
James Gunn May Start From Scratch
The Hollywood Reporter's Borys Kit also noted that it's currently unclear whether or not Suicide Squad 2 will feature a total recasting but that would be problematic for a number of reasons. For starters, the current versions of these characters are massively popular (particularly Will Smith and Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Deadshot) and choosing new actors to play them could be rejected by comic fans.
Then again, Gunn might just end up choosing an entirely new roster for Task Force X, plucking other characters from the comics to come up with a brand new team of villains to go on an adventure together. There are plenty to choose from, of course, and this seems like a better option than recasting.
An Uncertain Future For Jared Leto's Joker
Jared Leto's Clown Prince of Crime was rejected by comic book fans the second that first official image was released and his bizarre performance in the movie (which wasn't helped by the hack editing work performed on it) didn't help matters much either. While the character could still be saved, don't bank on Gunn doing it because he's had nothing but bad things to say about Leto in his social media posts.
He's gone so far to insinuate that Leto sleeps with underage girls and so it's hard to imagine either man wanting to work with the other, so The Joker clearly isn't going to be rebooted for quite a while.
The Cast Members Not Returning
Once again forgetting what Gunn may or may not have planned for Task Force X, what do we know about which cast members won't be back for this sequel? It's been confirmed that Cara Delevingne won't be reprising the role of Enchantress, while there's been no word on what comes next for Karen Fukuhara (Katana), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc) or Jai Courtney (Boomerang).
That probably doesn't bode well for any of them but it would be a shame not to see more of their characters as there's still so much that can be done with them. Jay Hernandez's El Diablo was obviously killed off in the first instalment but there's a very good chance that he could be brought back too.
Black Adam Could Be The Big Bad
As time has passed, this has no doubt changed but one name which has come up again and again in regards to the movie's villain is Black Adam. Apparently, Warner Bros. thought it would be a good idea to introduce Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's version of the character as an antagonist here and while there's no denying that would be fun to see, it's always been hard to imagine it really happening.
Now, with Gunn no doubt taking this project back to the drawing board, if Black Adam was ever going to be the sequel's big bad, that will probably change as he delivers his own spin on things here.
Guardians Of The Galaxy Star Dave Bautista Wants In
Dave Bautista really wants to get fired by Disney/Marvel Studios, doesn't he? The actor has already made it clear that he'll ask for Drax to be killed off if Gunn's script isn't used and that he has no desire to return to the role after the filmmaker was fired regardless. Just hours after the news about the Suicide Squad sequel broke, the wrestler turned actor took to Twitter to ask for a role in the movie.
Since then, fans have been wondering who he could play in the DC Universe with the most popular suggestion being Batman villain Bane. That would be incredible but it may not actually happen.
Harley Quinn Vs. The Joker Probably Isn't Happening
Just like Gotham City Sirens is no longer happening, it appears as if Harley Quinn vs. The Joker has also been put on hold for the foreseeable future. That's another Joker movie which is on the scrap heap and quite possibly confirmation that we've seen the last of Leto's Clown Prince of Crime in the DC Extended Universe. Warner Bros. not developing this one will also give Gunn a lot more creative freedom.
After all, if he does choose to utilise Harley Quinn, the only movie he'll be beholden to is Birds of Prey. The studio could still make that standalone Joker adventure, of course, but what's the point when we're getting an origin story for a new version of him next year and with no Batman to fight?
What James Gunn Might Bring To The Franchise
Fans have frequently said that Suicide Squad is basically DC's Guardians of the Galaxy and I guess that's now truer than ever before! Gunn will surely avoid choosing characters who resemble the likes of Star-Lord and Rocket but it's inevitable that the movies will have a similar sort of feel and it's pretty much a guarantee that the sequel will boast a soundtrack which will probably end up being a best-seller.
Beyond that, we don't know what Gunn is going to bring to the table but he's a self-confessed DC Comics fan and no doubt has a lot of ideas for expanding the world of Task Force X in this movie.
David Ayer Won't Be Involved
With Gotham City Sirens replaced by Birds of Prey, David Ayer's time with the DC Extended Universe appears to be well and truly over and he'll have no involvement with this sequel. In fact, he's gone so far as to wish Gunn luck with taking charge of the characters, so don't expect him to serve as a producer or anything like that (something which will probably come as a relief to most fans).
Chances are, we'll start hearing some official details about what's to come in this Suicide Squad movie in the coming months but we'll just have to be patient for the time being. What do you guys think? As always, share your thoughts in the comments section below and stay tuned for further updates.