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[Eadie]

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/will-smith-the-suicide-squad-sequel-exits-1203151442/

Will Smith Exits Suicide Squad Sequel

Even with the studio dating the next installment in the Suicide Squad franchise, Warner Bros. may already be losing one of the film’s biggest stars.

Even though his return had not been made official, sources tell Variety that Will Smith, who played Deadshot in the original, is not expected to return for the studio’s upcoming sequel. Sources say scheduling was the ultimate factor and that the decision was made on amicable terms between both sides with no hard feelings.

Though the studio has never confirmed who would be returning for Suicide Squad, insiders say the studio has always wanted its biggest stars like Smith and Margot Robbie, who played Harley Quinn in the first pic, to return while figuring out other casting decisions along the way.

The studio and reps for Will Smith could not be reached for comment.

The studio is still fully behind the sequel after the original did so well, bringing in $746 million at the box office.

James Gunn, who was brought on last year as the new writer and director, is hoping to start production this fall, which adds a ticking clock element to getting things out before it impacts pre-production.

The release date is currently set for August 6, 2021.
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.

[Bud Brewster]

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I've never scene Suicide Squad so I didn't know Will Smith was in it. Guess I'll have to put it on my Netflix list.
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Eadie]

Idris Elba Replaces Will Smith as Deadshot

https://variety.com/2019/film/news/idris-elba-will-smith-deadshot-suicide-squad-sequel-1203154025/

Idris Elba is joining the squad. Sources tell Variety that Elba is Warner Bros. choice to replace Will Smith as Deadshot in the Suicide Squad sequel.

Smith had to bow out of the upcoming DC Comics movie due to scheduling conflicts, and the studio moved fast to find another proven A-lister to replace him before production starts in September.

It’s currently unknown who will be joining Elba in the sequel, though many believe Margot Robbie will return as Harley Quinn. James Gun was tapped to write and direct the film. The release date is currently set for Aug. 6, 2021.

The original Suicide Squad — starring Smith, Jared Leto, Robbie — became a massive box office sensation when it hit theaters in 2016, grossing $746 million worldwide.

Elba is also starring in the upcoming Netflix series Turn Up Charlie, which bows this spring. Ahead of Suicide Squad 2, he will appear on the big screen for The Fast and the Furious spinoff Hobbs and Shaw alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham, as well as Universal and Tom Hooper’s Cats adaptation with Taylor Swift, James Corden, and Jennifer Hudson.

Meet the New Characters James Gunn Will Introduce

http://collider.com/suicide-squad-2-new-characters/

With Idris Elba replacing Will Smith as Deadshot in The Suicide Squad, it’s now time for writer-director James Gunn to turn his attention to filling out the rest of the ensemble, and while we haven’t heard any names except for the obvious one below, we have learned which characters are expected to comprise the rest of the squad. A rewrite could, of course, change things, so keep in mind that none of this is confirmed, it’s just what we’re hearing from sources right now. Let’s dive in, shall we?

Ratcatcher, aka Otis Flannegan, is a man in the DC comics, though Collider has learned that the character will be gender-swapped and played by a woman in The Suicide Squad. Ratcatcher is is a super-criminal and one of Batman’s many enemies. She started out as an exterminator in Gotham City before turning to a life of crime, aided by an army of small rodents she can communicate with and control. She’s also a fan of poisonous gas.

Nanaue, aka King Shark, is a super-villain and humanoid shark whose father is believed to be the so-called Shark God, though others dismiss him as merely a savage mutation.

Polka-Dot Man, aka Mister Polka Dot, is a Gotham City super-villain and like Ratcatcher, a sworn enemy of Batman. He grows multi-colored polka dots on his body that he can turn into fireballs and other weapons, even though, for the most part, he’s embarrassed about his awkward abilities.
peacemaker-the-suicide-squad

Peacemaker, aka Christopher Smith, is an agent of peace whose motives are driven by an extremist form of pacifism that makes him love peace so much he would kill for it.

Interestingly enough, Peacemaker is the role that sources say Gunn likes for Dave Bautista, the Guardians of the Galaxy star who defended the director when he was fired from Vol 3. by Disney chiefs Bob Iger and Alan Horn. It’s a funny coincidence, given that Bautista tried to play peacemaker (sort of) throughout that entire situation, and it’s no surprise that Gunn is eager to reward the actor for his unwavering loyalty.

Meanwhile, sources say that the new Squad script positions Deadshot as a surrogate father of sorts to Ratcatcher, though the role remains open to actresses of all nationalities and ethnicities.

There are a few other loose ends to tie up regarding the sequel. Will Margot Robbie reprise her role as Harley Quinn? You’d think that the actress would be under contract to return, and that Gunn would love to write for that character, so as of now, I think she’ll return, albeit in a limited capacity. Meanwhile, in its story about Elba, the Hollywood Reporter says its sources are conflicted about whether Joel Kinnaman‘s squad leader Rick Flagg will return for the sequel. I have no idea where things stand on that front. And finally, I haven’t heard anything about Viola Davis and her Amanda Waller character. I thought she’d be back for sure, but it’s been awfully quiet out there as far as her participation is concerned. I wonder what gives …

We should get some clarity soon from Gunn and DC Films chief Walter Hamada, as Warner Bros. is slated to release The Suicide Squad on Aug. 6, 2021. The first film, directed by David Ayer, grossed $746 million worldwide, but was reviled by critics to the tune of a 27% rotten rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Warner Bros. did not respond to a request for comment.
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.

[Bud Brewster]

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Thanks again, Eadie, for being our ace reporter on the Hollywood scene!
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Is there no man on Earth who has the wisdom and innocence of a child?
~ The Space Children (1958)

[Eadie]

Teaser trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umMBICCTeYc
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Art Should Comfort the Disturbed and Disturb the Comfortable.