Suicide Squad director reveals what the Ayer Cut is really like
Suicide Squad director David Ayer has released a lengthy statement about his version of the 2016 film a.k.a. the Ayer Cut.
Ever since “The Snyder Cut” movement really gathered stream, many filmmakers have been vocal about the theatrical executions of their work. One of those directors is David Ayer, who directed fellow DCEU film Suicide Squad – a movie that reportedly has its own director’s cut vastly different from the one that hit theaters.
Yes, “The Ayer Cut” of Suicide Squad has been a subject of discussion since about 2018 when fans voiced their desire to see the director’s vision come to life. And now, that director has released a statement on the matter.
David Ayer on why the 2016 Suicide Squad is not his movie
As per Collider, the original Suicide Squad filmmaker has opened up about how the 2016 version of Suicide Squad that audiences saw in movie theaters was not his movie. Ayer had this to say:
"“I made something amazing. My cut is [an] intricate and emotional journey with some ‘bad people’ who are s*** on and discarded (a theme that resonates in my soul). The studio cut is not my movie. Read that again.”"
Ayer then goes onto elaborate as to what the Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad is really like and reveals that very few people have seen it. He comments:
"“And my cut is not the 10-week director’s cut – it’s a fully mature edit by Lee Smith standing on the incredibly [sic] work by John Gilroy. It’s all Steven Price’s brilliant score, with no single radio song in the whole thing. It has traditional character arcs, amazing performances, a solid 3rd Act resolution. A handful of people have seen it. If someone says they’ve seen it, they haven’t.”"
So, what can we take away from this statement from the Suicide Squad director? Well, first and foremost, it is every creative’s right to defend their own work – and defend it he does. Moreover, it’s clear that Ayer is passionate about his vision – one that already seems to be somewhat completed. The question is: Will it ever see the light of day?
That poses us with the question if the movie would be better received than the theatrical cut. Can one director’s cut make up for reviled creative choices? Should it still be seen so fans can make their own decision on the film?
The renewed interest in the Ayer Cut comes because of the recent release of James Gunn’s sequel/reboot The Suicide Squad.
What are your thoughts on David Ayer’s statement regarding the Ayer Cut? Are you interested in seeing the Ayer Cut for 2016’s Suicide Squad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!