A new report notes that Will Smith will not return as Deadshot in James Gunn’s new Suicide Squad movie.
Variety reports their sources state “Will Smith, who who played Deadshot in the original, is not expected to return for the studio’s upcoming sequel.”
Deadline notes that there was no bad blood with Smith exiting the project.
While a number of the outlets are describing Gunn’s Suicide Squad film as a sequel, that has not been confirmed by Warner Bros. In fact, with Smith exiting it leads me to believe that we will more than likely get a completely new Task Force X. While technically, it might stay in continuity with the first film, it might look more like a reboot than an actual sequel.
Deadline indicates Gunn’s film is expected to go into production in Atlanta in September. However, DC and Warner Bros. have not released any casting information yet. Margot Robbie is currently filming the Cathy Yan directed Birds of Prey film, and it would seem she would have to go straight back into production on Suicide Squad if she returns for Gunn’s film.
Given the events of the original Suicide Squad, it’s hard to see Robbie return as one of the feature characters. She was rescued by the Joker at the end of the film leaving fans to believe she escaped the clutches of Amanda Waller and her Task Force X.
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With Robbie focusing on Birds of Prey, and Will Smith reportedly out as Deadshot, it looks like James Gunn might have a relatively clean slate for his Suicide Squad team. It means we might see more of some of DC Comics’ most infamous villains make it to the big screen. Some of those villains could include Bronze Tiger, Count Vertigo, Killer Frost, Doctor Light, Poison Ivy, Punch, Jewelee, Cluemaster, Clock King, or King Shark.
Which characters do you want to see show up in Gunn’s Suicide Squad? What do you make of this news that Smith won’t be returning as Deadshot?