Will Smith Will Not Return As Deadshot In James Gunn's THE SUICIDE SQUAD
Here's an unexpected development as it appears that 2x Academy Award-nominated superstar Will Smith will not reprise his role as Floyd Lawton, a.k.a. Deadshot, in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad.
Variety is reporting that 2x Academy Award-nominee Will Smith will not reprise his role as Floyd Lawton, a.k.a. Deadshot, in James Gunn's upcoming reboot/sequel The Suicide Squad, due to a scheduling conflict.
The report notes that it was an amicable breakup between Smith and the studio and that there are believed to be no hard feelings between the two parties.
When it was initially reported that Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy) would direct the sequel, there was a lot of buzz circulating online about him possibly seeking a fresh start with an all-new cast, although it was later corrected with an update that strongly suggested the studio did have every intention to bring back, at least, the first film's two biggest stars: Smith and Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn).
However, now, with Smith opting out of the picture, it remains to be seen whether Robbie will stick around to star in the sequel without any of her original castmates or if she'll shift on over to more Birds of Prey-related adventures.
Production on the reboot/sequel is expected to begin this fall.
Smith can be seen next in Disney's live-action Aladdin, which opens this Memorial Day, and also has the animated Spies in Disguise with Tom Holland (Spider-Man: Far From Home) and Ang Lee's Gemini Man on the docket for the rest of this calendar year. He's currently filming Bad Boys for Life with Martin Lawrence.
The Suicide Squad is currently slated to open on August 6, 2021.