An update on the standalone Will Smith Deadshot movie has reportedly been revealed in a new report regarding Ezra Miller's future as the Flash. Smith's Deadshot was first introduced in 2016's Suicide Squad, a movie that would ultimately be harshly criticized by both fans and critics. While the David Ayer-helmed DC superhero movie failed to be the launching point that Warner Bros. hoped it would be, revelations regarding the movie's extensive reshoots have led to fans - following the success of the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut campaign - demanding the release of the original "Ayer Cut" of Suicide Squad.
Smith has recently found himself in hot water following highly-publicized events at the Oscars, where the actor stormed the stage and slapped Chris Rock following the comedian's joke about Smith's wife. The incident has led to intense public backlash from fans and fellow actors alike. Smith has since issued an apology to Rock and to everyone else his actions may have affected and has also recently resigned from the Academy. Smith isn't the only DC actor who has been at the center of a controversy, however, with Miller, star of the upcoming The Flash, recently having been arrested in Hawaii for disorderly conduct and harassment.
In a new report from Rolling Stone detailing an emergency meeting at Warner Bros. regarding Miller's future in the DCEU, a small update is given on Smith's standalone Deadshot movie. The report confirms that a movie centered around Smith's character was indeed in development but was placed on the backburner due to the actor's hefty $20 million dollar salary requirement. While not going into details on the project, it sounds like no progress has been made on any sort of solo Deadshot movie at DC.
While Smith's recent assault of Rock is completely unrelated to the Deadshot movie being put on the backburner, the event certainly isn't helping the movie's chances. Following the incident and the intense backlash against the King Richard actor, a number of Smith's movies have been put on hold, including Bad Boys 4. Especially in light of Miller's recent legal troubles, it seems likely that DC will want to distance itself from as much controversy as possible.
Although not a popular movie, Smith's Deadshot character in Suicide Squad was a highlight for many viewers. Ultimately, however, the stack seems to be increasingly stacked against a standalone Deadshot movie. In addition to Smith's large price tag and the recent incident at the Oscars, Elba's success as Bloodsport, a very similar character to Deadshot, in The Suicide Squad reboot, makes it seem like a longshot that a standalone Deadshot movie will ever get made, at least not with Smith playing the role.
Source: Rolling Stone
