Warner Bros. has reportedly engaged in early talks with filmmakerMel Gibsonto direct the studio’sSuicide Squad sequel. No formal offer has been issued yet, but Mel Gibson is reportedly “familiarizing himself” with the source material. Warner Bros. is also considering other filmmakers.Daniel Espinosa(Safe House) is one of the other directors the studio is eyeing, though it isn’t clear how many other filmmakers are in the mix for this coveted gig.
The Hollywood Reporterbroke the news today, revealing that the studio is not “being passive” in regards to this sequel. Many fans wondered if this would even happen at all, afterSuicide SquaddirectorDavid Ayercame aboard to direct another Warner Bros./DC project,Gotham City Sirens, which featuresMargot Robbiereprising herSuicide Squadrole asHarley Quinn. A report from December revealed that aSuicide Squadsequel is still in the works, although it was believed at the time thatDavid Ayerwould simply makeGotham City Sirensfirst, before moving on toSuicide Squad 2.
A report from August claimed thatDavid Ayerstarted writing theSuicide Squad 2screenplay back in July, with Warner Bros. planning a spring 2017 shoot for the superhero sequel. However,Jai Courtney, who played Captain Boomerang in last summer’sSuicide Squad, revealed in an interview that he hasn’t heard anything about reprising his role forSuicide Squad 2. It also remains to be seen ifJared Letowill be back as The Joker, since he was reportedly quite unhappy with how his character turned out inSuicide Squad.
Much like Warner Bros.‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,Suicide Squadwas torn to shreds by critics, but still fared well at the box office, earning $325.1 million domestically and $745.6 million worldwide, from a $175 million budget. There have also been rumors that Warner Bros. may be taking anR-ratedapproach toSuicide Squad 2, which is most likely due to the success ofDeadpool, which managed to out-grossSuicide Squadwith $363 million domestic and $783.1 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film worldwide in cinematic history.
Suicide Squad 2is expected to bring back all of the main stars, although there has been talk of aDeadshot spin-offas well. That isn’t set in stone. IfMel Gibsondoes in fact come aboard to direct this superhero sequel, it will be just another example that his star is finally on the rise once again. After his critically-acclaimed biopicHacksaw Ridgewas nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, the actor/filmmaker’s schedule started to fill up. He recently signed to co-star in Paramount’s comedy sequelDaddy’s Home 2and he is also re-teaming with hisHacksaw RidgestarVince VaughninDragged Across Concrete.
