The James Gunn reboot of “The Suicide Squad” is more than two years away, but there’s a lot of moving parts on the project as the writer/director firms up who is staying in the cast from the original 2016 “Suicide Squad” and who’s not. Idris Elba is new to the cast, having replaced Will Smith who decided to pass on staying on as the character Deadshot (though scheduling reasons were given). But things are changing in his world already. According to multiple trade reports, Elba, who was initially recast as Deadshot aka Floyd Lawton, will now play an entirely new character. Given some discussions with Gunn and the cast, it’s been decided that the character Deadshot won’t be involved in the film and this is intended to keep the door open for Smith down the road should he care to return (though chances seem slim). Who will Elba play? That’s unknown right now, but Gunn’s retooled ‘Suicide’ version is inviting back major players while jettisoning others.
Right now, three original actors and characters are returning: Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Viola Davis as Amanda Waller (just announced today) and Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang. That leaves Elba as an unknown new character and one dangling and unsubstantiated rumor today that says Joel Kinnaman is back as army guy Rick Flagg.
READ MORE: Jai Courtney Will Boomerang Back Into James Gunn’s ‘Suicide Squad’ Reboot
Rumors point to new characters like Ratcatcher, Polka-Dot Man, King Shark, and more, but none have been confirmed. Much like the original comics, “Suicide Squad” characters are meant to be expendable and characters—supervillains forced to act out clandestine missions for the government in exchange for a lighter sentence, or time outside of jail— are often expected to die in these suicidal missions. So, while, up to five new characters are rumored to appear in the movie, it’s debatable whether they’ll last to the end of the film.
“The Suicide Squad” is scheduled to land in on Aug. 6, 2021 [Variety]
