Variety’s Justin Kroll added a small tidbit to his Will Smith/Suicide Squad story from yesterday revealing that Will Smith not only won’t be appearing in the film. Warner Bros. is considering recasting the role or replacing Deadshot’s spot with another DC villain instead, giving Smith a possible window to return or maybe not.
One item I forgot to add to story, sources say execs are now deciding whether they will recast the role or replace Deadshot with a different character from the DC universe to join the team in sequel
— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) February 28, 2019
Slade Wilson aka Deathstroke, Bronze Tiger, or Bane could be a couple interesting alternatives either way.
A new production update coming from Deadline suggests the film could begin filming this September in Atlanta, after many previous production delays I think they were tired of waiting on Will Smith to adjust his filming schedule for the project.
Word is that Smith’s exit was amicable, he wasn’t officially set to do the sequel, and it came down to scheduling in regards to his backing out. Deadline hears that Gunn is looking to start production in Atlanta in September. No cast is set as of yet, but the plan here is to, of course, have Margot Robbie return in the signature role of Harley Quinn.
While the first film had shot in Toronto there is a good chance that writer-director James Gunn will want to film in Atlanta due his previous experience working in the area on Guardians of The Galaxy Vol.2.
Warner Bros. had recently given The Suicide Squad a release date of August 6th, 2021.
SOURCE: VARIETY & DEADLINE
