suicide squad

Gyllenhaal May Replace Hardy For Ayer’s SUICIDE SQUAD

Looks like perfect timing for Nightcrawler star, actor Jake Gyllenhaal whose most recent debut still of his upcoming boxing drama, Southpaw, from Antoine Fuqua (pictured) is currently making the rounds. Director David Ayer‘s forthcoming production of the DC Comics live-action adaptation of Suicide Squad is only several months away from commensing principal photography up over in Canada, and Gyllenhaal’s going to need to apply those movie muscles once again now that actor Tom Hardy is no longer starring.

The Wrap reports that Hardy’s scheduling conflicts between working on The Revenant with helmer Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu prior to joining the promotional tour for Warner Bros. Mad Max: Fury Road between mid-March through May 15 when the latter film releases, possibly leaving room for Gyllenhaal to take his place. Hardy was listed in the official press release late last year for the role of Rick Flag, leader of the titular ragtag team of anti-heroes along with Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Jared Leto as the Joker, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, and Cara Delevingne as Enchantress, while official word awaits on the potential casting of actress Viola Davis as the oft-antagonistic government overseer of the team, Amanda Waller.

Gyllenhaal previously starred in Ayer‘s 2012 crime drama, End Of Watch, so seeing those two reunite could bring something refreshing to the table for fans. For now, let’s wait and see what happens.

The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.

Warner Bros. Enlists Its SUICIDE SQUAD Cast

Lee B. Golden III

Director David Ayer‘s pending adaptation of DC Comics property, Suicide Squad, is currently awaiting a production start date beginning next year in April through September in Toronto, Canada according to THR. With that in mind, any and all information on casting has been developing and trickling for the past few months now, particularly with lead actor Will Smith in talks, and actor Jared Leto who’s been busy playing coy with the press on all talk related to his addition to the cast as the Joker.

It was probably obvious to some, but nevertheless, Warner Bros. decided to lay skepticism to rest in an official announcement on Tuesday which you can check out below. The current working title will be Bravo 14, with pre-production set for February; As a noteworthy mention, previous reports may indicate further casting additions, which still remain speculative at the moment. For now, read on!

BURBANK, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–An all-star roster of actors has joined Warner Bros. Pictures’ new action adventure “Suicide Squad,” bringing DC Comics’ super villain team to the big screen under the direction of David Ayer (“Fury”). The announcement was made today by Greg Silverman, President, Creative Development and Worldwide Production, Warner Bros. Pictures.

The film will star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith (“The Pursuit of Happyness,” “Ali,” upcoming “Focus”) as Deadshot; Tom Hardy (“The Dark Knight Rises,” upcoming “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Rick Flagg; Margot Robbie (“The Wolf of Wall Street,” upcoming “Focus,” the “Tarzan” movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto (“Dallas Buyers Club,” “Alexander”) as the Joker; Jai Courtney (“Divergent,” upcoming “The Water Diviner”) as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne (“Anna Karenina,” upcoming “Pan”) as Enchantress.

In making the announcement, Silverman said, “The Warner Bros. roots are deep on this one. David Ayer returns to the studio where he wrote ‘Training Day’ and brings his incredible ability to craft multidimensional villains to this iconic DC property with a cast of longtime Warner collaborators Will Smith and Tom Hardy, and other new and returning favorites: Margot, Jared, Jai and Cara. We look forward to seeing this terrific ensemble, under Ayer’s amazing guidance, give new meaning to what it means to be a villain and what it means to be a hero.”

Ayer is also writing the script for “Suicide Squad,” which is being produced by Charles Roven (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, upcoming “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice”) and Richard Suckle (“American Hustle”). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.

The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.

Jai Courtney Sets His Sights On SUICIDE SQUAD

Lee B. Golden III

Following news of Fury helmer David Ayer‘s attachment to the forthcoming production of Warner Bros. DC feature, Suicide Squad, flurries of casting announcements have come forward with recent reports of actress Margot Robbie and Jared Leto in talks for the roles of Harley Quinn and Joker, with earlier news of Tom Hardy as Rick Flag, and possible additions of actors Will Smith as Captain Boomerang and Jesse Eisenberg‘s reprisal as Lex Luthor following his role in Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice.

Talks for these roles are still in play with most of them in their final stages in some capacity. Meanwhile, another actor may have also entered the fray in the form of actor Jai Courtney for the role of Batman villain Deadshot. The character originally made his way in the Batman comic storyline in 1950 prior to playing a pivotal role in the Sucide Squad comics almost a decade later. Originally created by writer/artist duo Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru in 1959, and later reinvented in 1987 by writer John Ostrander, the new film may center on a story of supervillains sought by the government to redeem themselves with a mission so dangerous that it could kill them.

Produced by Charles Roven, further casting and crewing news is expected soon as the film inches closer to its August 5, 2016, five months after Eisenberg’s upcoming theatrical appearance in Zack Snyder’s Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of Justice. In the meantime, Courtney can be next seen in Russell Crowe’s directorial debut, The Water Diviner later this year in Australia, as well as next Spring’s release of The Divergent Series: Insurgent, and next Summer’s trilogy reboot kickoff, Terminator: Genisys.

Stay tuned for more info.

H/T: Variety

Warner Bros. Annonces Its Six-Year Slate Of DC Universe Films

Lee B. Golden III

‘Fury’ Helmer David Ayer Up To Direct SUICIDE SQUAD

Lee B. Golden III

In the wake of shows like Fox’s Gotham and the CW’s Arrow and The Flash, DC Comics properties seem to be lighting up the news this month with reports of Supergirl and Titans taking over CBS and TNT respectively. Films are still in play though, so it will be interesting to see where the networks and respective showrunners take television while Hollywood dabbles with comic book story arcs on the big screen.

Hence, of course another property is now in play for a big screen adaptation in the form of Suicide Squad, originally created by writer/artist duo Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru in 1959. Friday’s report from Variety indicates the new film will build on its 1987 reinvention from writer John Ostrander, which centers on a story of supervillains given a second chance to remake themselves as heroes in service of the government. The catch? The missions themselves were so dangerous as they would be considered suicidal.

The director of choice is David Ayer, best known for his work on films like the urban cop drama End Of Watch, as well as the Schwarzenegger thriller, Sabotage and the upcoming World War II tank drama, Fury, which opens in theaters next month. Dan Lin will produce the film from a script by The Jungle Book (2015) and Top Gun 2 scribe Justin Marks.

Official word is yet to be revealed on whether Ayer will board the pic and who will be cast. DC Comics currently has a slate of films that stretch between now and 2020 with titles ranging from Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice, Justice League, Wonder Woman, Shazam and Sandman, as well as the possibility of a new Batman reboot, and many more.

H/T: Variety