The Suicide Squad: Will Smith departs DCEU sequel

Seems like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air will no longer play Deadshot in the James Gunn helmed, The Suicide Squad movie.

While Margot Robbie may to return as Harley Quinn on The Suicide Squad; a fresh new vision and installment following David Ayer’s original 2016 film, her co-star may not. Will Smith could exit the sequel with James Gunn as writer and director, as informed by Variety.

Smith, who played Floyd Lawton A.K.A Deadshot in Ayer’s Suicide Squad, was one of the bigger highlights of the first picture. Not many details are known as to why Smith may not be able to appear, except that it has to do with scheduling conflicts. Whatever the case, as Den of Geek stated, it apparently was an “amicable” decision.

Variety has reported that even though Smith had not been confirmed to reprise his role of Deadshot in this project about reformed super-villains placed in a secret government task force to eliminate meta-human threats and complete dangerous operations covertly, insiders within the studio at Warner Bros. have relayed to the weekly LA-based film magazine that fans should not expect his return in The Suicide Squad. Casting directors and producers may have a challenge on their hands, but none more so than Smith’s replacement, whoever it may eventually be, has quite huge boots to fill.

While Deadshot is mostly known in the comics for his face being hidden behind a mask, it can be passed on as cheating by Hollywood standards by having the subsequent actor’s face covered, things can be arranged by other means. G.I. Joe: Retaliation achieved this with the actors Luke Bracey and Robert Baker replacing Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Cobra Commander. Even actors from the MCU have experienced recasting of actors between films with some impressive results.

Gunn, has taken over the director’s seat from Gavin O’Connor, after his script was deemed a bit too similar in theme and premise to Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Gunn landed the job to write the sequel after he was fired by Marvel from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3 due to less than tasteful tweets resurfaced. The Suicide Squad will catch a body on the big screen Aug. 6, 2021.