‘Suicide Squad’ “Relaunch” Set For Summer 2021 With New Characters; James Gunn Confirmed

Hot on the heels of news that Warner Bros. has dated Matt Reeves “The Batman” film—which won’t feature Ben Affleck—for summer 2021, the studio has unveiled a slew of additional dates. The biggest of the line-up is yet another DC Films superhero movie just a few weeks after “The Batman,” and that will be the not-so-sequel to “Suicide Squad.”

READ MORE: Ben Affleck Confirms He Won’t Play Matt Reeves’ ‘Batman’ As Warner Bros. Dates The Film For Summer 2021

Not titled “Suicide Squad 2” and or any such iteration, this new version, called “The Suicide Squad” is now set for an August 6, 2021 release, all of about six weeks after “The Batman.” James Gunn is writing the screenplay and is now officially in negotiations to direct too. Charles Roven (“Suicide Squad,” “The Dark Knight Rises”) and Peter Safran will produce.

READ MORE: James Gunn In Talks To Write/Direct ‘Suicide Squad 2.’

“The Suicide Squad” title doesn’t sound like much of a sequel, and that’s because it’s being dubbed a “relaunch” which jibes with recent rumors that Gunn would wipe the slate clean.

THR writes, “sources say that Gunn’s focus is to take the franchise in a new direction with mostly an all-new cast of characters and actors. Sources also say that the project is also very much rooted in Gunn’s vibe, as seen in the Guardians movies,” something Gunn himself had already suggested.

Online whispers that have said only Will Smith and Jai Courtney are expected to return, and most of the other characters would be quietly put away.

READ MORE: James Gunn’s ‘Suicide Squad 2’ Won’t Be A Sequel And Will Instead Be A “Brand-New Take”

Margot Robbie, who is starring in “Birds Of Prey” in early 2020 seems unlikely to appear either as she’s launched her own franchise now. We shall see how that pans out, but as Gunn is writing now, it’s likely been already decided, and I’d put a strong bet on her (and Jared Leto), sitting out this next ‘Suicide Squad’ movie. Leto’s moved on to “Morbius” at Sony, a Spider-Man spin-off and it would not surprise me to learn he too is done with the Joker role.

Just recently, filmmakers Edgar Wright and Chris Miller were championing Gunn’s return to the “Guardians Of The Galaxy” universe and directing “Guardians of The Galaxy 3,” but that now seems incredibly unlikely to happen even if Marvel were to beg him back. The timing would never work as Marvel surely don’t want to put the ‘Guardians’ movie on ice for several years. While Gunn was fired by Marvel, their loss of his talents is a huge blow to the company and the MCU.

READ MORE: The Russo Brothers Deny Any ‘Avengers 4’ Changes Due To ‘Guardians 3’ Being Put On Hold

Additionally, Warner Bros. has dated four more films in total. Robert Zemeckis’ adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel “The Witches” starring Anne Hathaway is set to fly into theaters on Oct. 16, 2020. Alfonso Cuaron and Guillermo del Toro are two of the producers.

“DCSuper Pets” opens May 21, 2021. Jared Stern and Sam Levine direct and it is unclear if this is an animated film or not, but it sounds like it, and maybe we’ll see the Superman dog Krypto and the like take the screen.

Finally, WB has announced the dates for two Untitled WB event films. One for July 16, 2021— rumored to be an “a big title, big stars, and four-quad” and another Oct 1, 2021. [THR/Deadline]