The 'Bad Boys for Life' actor was expected to reprise his role as Deadshot in the upcoming sequel, but has reached an amicable decision with Warner Bros. that he will not return.
- February 28, 2019
AceShowbiz - "Suicide Squad" is losing one of its team members. Will Smith, who played Deadshot in the 2016 movie, has dropped out of the sequel. While his return was never made official, Warner Bros. has reportedly wanted the A-list stars like Smith and Margot Robbie to reprise their roles in the upcoming movie.
According to Variety's sources, scheduling conflict was the ultimate factor that led to the actor's departure from the project, but he and the studio reached the decision amicably and there's not hard feeling between both sides. Neither Smith nor WB have commented on his exit.
"Suicide Squad 2" was not immediately greenlit after the release of the first movie, which was panned by critics. It grossed a total of $746.8 million worldwide, against a production budget of $175 million ($325 million including advertising and promotion costs).
Director David Ayer was initially expected to return for the sequel, but he dropped out to work on a spin-off, "Gotham City Sirens". "Guardians of the Galaxy" helmer James Gunn was then tapped as a replacement following his exit from the Marvel franchise, with him also re-writing the script.
Instead of a direct sequel, "Suicide Squad 2" which is currently titled "The Suicide Squad" has been dubbed as a relaunch. It has been reported that Gunn's take on the franchise will take it "in a new direction with a mostly all-new cast of characters and actors." The project will reportedly stay true to Gunn's vibe and will be in a similar vein with his "Guardians" movies.
No cast member is confirmed for the upcoming movie so far. Robbie, who portrays Harley Quinn in the first movie, is currently working on the spin-off, "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)".
"The Suicide Squad" is set for an August 6, 2021 release in the United States.
