The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Warner Bros. is actively recruiting Mel Gibson to direct a Suicide Squad sequel.
Nothing has been inked and they are in early conversations about the role, but it appears that Gibson is digging into the DC Comics franchise to familiarize himself with the material.
However, Warner Bros. isn’t putting all their eggs in one basket and are looking at other options as well including Daniel Espinosa.
David Ayer directed the first outing with an all-star cast including Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto that grossed $745 million worldwide putting a sequel on the fast track.
While Ayer won’t be helming the Suicide Squad sequel he is staying within the DC Comics Multiverse taking on the Gotham City Sirens, a Suicide Squad spin off that will feature Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn as well as Catwoman and Poison Ivy who have yet to be cast.
Gibson’s star is once again rising thanks to his Oscar-nominated World War II movie, Hacksaw Ridge. In fact it has six Oscar nominations including one for Gibson himself as Best Director. The movie has grossed $164 million so far.
Gibson is already working with actor Vince Vaughn for gritty crime indie Dragged Across Concrete and Paramount is in talks with Gibson to join Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg for Daddy’s Home 2.