It’s clear Warner Bros. is saving Deadshot for when Suicide Squad star Will Smith is not busy, and a new rumor indicates they may have narrowed down where audiences will see him next.
Related: Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Race Swaps Deadshot And It Makes No Sense
Daniel “RPK” Richtman is saying, via a locked Patreon post, that Smith could reappear as master assassin Floyd Lawton in a series or movie made for HBO Max.
As always, it should be explicitly noted that this project is only rumored, and if it truly is in development, is most likely only in the discussion phase, as no writer, director, or premiere date has been announced.
That said, a Deadshot solo movie has been in the pipeline since 2016, following his debut in the chopped-up version of David Ayer’s Suicide Squad film.
In the aftermath of Task Force X’s debut outing, both a Deadshot feature and a Gotham City Sirens film were in development, alongside a slew of other films tying into DC’s Snyderverse. Of course, this was was before everything was rebooted post-Justice League in the absence of Zack Snyder.
Neither project ever took off the ground, with DC choosing to produce Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey instead, but Smith has expressed hope he can play Deadshot again.
“I sure hope so. I love playing Deadshot,” Smith said in 2018 during a YouTube live stream. “I really enjoy that character.”
Smith also suggested that he had been actively involved in discussions regarding his return, saying “They have been talking about it, so if a good idea comes around – we have been having meetings – but I would love to. I love Deadshot.”
The veteran actor was also rumored to appear in a a small role in The Batman when Ben Affleck was still attached and reportedly had a place in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, though when Smith’s schedule conflicted with Gunn’s upcoming film, Idris Elba was added, with many assuming he would replace Smith as Deadshot.
However, we learned at DC FanDome Elba is really playing the esoteric Superman foe Bloodsport.
Whatever happens with Floyd Lawton will remain in continuity with the Snyderverse, and almost assuredly hinges on the success of the upcoming ‘Snyder Cut’ of Justice League. If as big as everyone hopes, it could lead to several spinoffs and the revisiting of gestating projects.
If Warner is hungry for content and listens to fan demand, Affleck’s Batman is said to be on the table as a miniseries, as is the Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad and Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke, all of which were met with fan excitement following their rumored existences.
In any event, Zack Snyder’s ‘Snyder Cut’ of Justice League and Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, sans Deadshot, are out in 2021.