With a change in director there was the thought there would also be a change in the cast of SUICIDE SQUAD 2, especially as Warner Bros. looks to switch things up with their slate of superhero movies. While it’s still unclear regarding the status of the much of the ensemble cast that made up the first squad of villains, we now know one actor who will not be returning for the hijinks, and that’s Will Smith as the gun master Floyd Lawton/Deadshot.
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Variety got the scoop that the spilt was amicable, and not the result of issues over compensation, trailer size, on-set feuds or any other sort of juicy drama. Word is it simply came down to a matter of scheduling, and as Smith had never actually signed on for a sequel when joining the first film, he had to make the decision to not return. Smith is no stranger to giant blockbusters, but 2016’s SQUAD was certainly the biggest movie of his in years with over $330 million domestically and exactly $746 million worldwide.
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Smith may not be returning for more, but so far, the status is still unclear regarding the rest of the cast, a few being Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis and Jared Leto as Joker. The only one confirmed to return at this point is Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, which makes sense given she will also be playing the character for next year’s BIRDS OF PREY. Currently titled THE SUICIDE SQUAD, director James Gunn reportedly wants to start shooting in September in Atlanta, so we should be hearing more about the casting over the next few months.
Smith not being able to return due to his busy schedule is understandable if unfortunate, as along with Robbie he was one of the best parts of the movie. It was certainly one of the more interesting characters he's played – especially in the last few years – so I would've liked to see how he progressed him in a new movie with a script from Gunn. But, alas, it was not to be, and now the hunt could be on for a new Deadshot should they choose to have him still be in the movie. Any picks, gang?
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