According to Variety, Will Smith will not return for James Gunn’s upcoming Suicide Squad sequel. Variety claims that scheduling conflicts were the leading factor behind Smith’s exit from the role and it was an amicable split between the two parties.
Smith played the role of Floyd Lawton, otherwise known as Deadshot, in 2016’s Suicide Squad. The film made over $746 million worldwide and grossed over $325 million domestically during its run (via Box Office Mojo). Even though Suicide Squad was a hit at the box office, critics and the general audience panned the movie for its ludicrous plot and shallow characters. Back in January, The Hollywood Reporter put out a piece stating that Gunn was set to direct a sequel to Suicide Squad. But, it may be a little more complicated than that.
According to THR, Gunn’s Suicide Squad 2 will be less of a sequel as it is a relaunch of the franchise with fresh characters. As most people would guess, the site also said that Gunn’s vision for the project is similar to his work with the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
As for Smith’s co-star from Suicide Squad, Margot Robbie, her status in the sequel is more ambiguous. Robbie, who plays Harley Quinn in the DCEU, has been the focus of conflicting reports over the past month regarding her potential role in the sequel. Harley Quinn won’t be left out of future DC programming, however, as Robbie is starring and producing in the upcoming Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) movie. That long-winded title is set to hit theaters in early 2020.
Seeing as both parties left on good terms, it isn’t too far-fetched to believe that we could see Will Smith’s Deadshot appear in future DC films down the road. Whether that be in a future installment of Suicide Squad, or even in a Batman movie.
What are your thoughts on this news? Did you like Will Smith’s portrayal as Deadshot? Are you glad James Gunn is taking over for the sequel? Let us know in the comments below!