James Gunn is in talks to direct The Suicide Squad, the sequel to Warner Bros. and DC Films' 2016 film Suicide Squad. In an effort to quickly assemble a universe full of characters, WB hired David Ayer to direct Suicide Squad and introduce some major DC characters in the process, many who already had connections to existing heroes. While the film was unquestionably a financial hit, Suicide Squad was not received well by critics.
The reaction pushed the studio to move in a new direction, leading them to hire Gavin O'Connor to write and direct Suicide Squad 2. However, he ultimately left the project, and when Disney fired James Gunn from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, it wasn't too long before WB looked his way. It was reported last year that he had been hired to write the script for a new take on Task Force X and that he could direct the film if everything progressed smoothly. After the film just received an August 2021 release date, more good news has come Suicide Squad 2's way.
Related: Original Suicide Squad Members Who Need to Return For James Gunn's Sequel
It's being reported by THR that James Gunn is indeed in talks to direct the Suicide Squad sequel, which was just officially titled The Suicide Squad. This was expected due to Gunn writing the script, one that reportedly features a mostly brand new cast of characters. The first film starred Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, and more, but only Robbie and Davis may return according to SuperBroMovies' Daniel Ritchtman. His script is said to be "very much rooted in Gunn’s vibe."
Although Gunn's commitment to direct The Suicide Squad may have been somewhat expected, it is still a welcomed bit of news for the project and for Gunn's fans. Many have championed his character and right to return to direct following the controversy surrounding his old tweets, including Edgar Wright and Chris Miller both recently saying he should return to direct Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. That appears to be an even longer shot now that he's found his next major project, especially since it could essentially be DC's version of the Guardians.
Gunn shouldn't have a problem finding people to star in The Suicide Squad's several new roles. Dave Bautista has been vocal about wanting to join the project and fans have imagined him playing several DC characters already. Whoever rounds out the cast, the reported returns of Robbie as Harley Quinn and Davis as Amanda Waller make complete sense. Harley was the breakout character of the film and is now getting her own film in Birds of Prey, while Waller runs the top secret team. The potential absence of Smith's Deadshot is possibly the biggest surprise, as he was also a hit with audiences. But, with Gunn's attachment coming on the heels of a release date, it appears The Suicide Squad is trending in the right direction and could pick up more steam quickly.
MORE: Casting James Gunn's Suicide Squad 2
Source: THR, Daniel Ritchtman
