Getting Suicide Squad 2 ‘Right’ is a Big Priority Says Joel Kinnaman

It’s a big priority for Warner Bros. to get everything right in Suicide Squad 2, especially after the shortcomings in their recent DC films. Following the release of Zack Snyder’s Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice in 2016, the studio expanded their newly-formed DC Comics-based universe by releasing David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. Fans hoped that Suicide Squad would be a turning point for the unofficially titled DCEU, especially after two highly-divisive releases from Snyder. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

Suicide Squad ended up becoming the lowest-rated DCEU movie and one of the lowest-rated DC Comics movies ever. But that didn’t stop the film from also becoming an indisputable box office success. Suicide Squad grossed $746.8 million at the worldwide box office against an estimated production budget of $175 million. That’s a significant sum, especially considering not only did the movie score low ratings but also that it didn’t release in China (the world’s second-largest moviegoing market). The fact is, Suicide Squad was successful enough to spawn a sequel, which is now being directed by Gavin O’Connor (The Accountant), written by Zak Penn (The Avengers), and produced by Michael De Luca (Moneyball).

While not much is known about Suicide Squad 2 at this stage, Joel Kinnaman, who played Rick Flag in the first movie, told Collider that the sequel is a big priority for Warner Bros., and there’s a big priority amongst those involved to get it right this time around.

“No, I don’t know. I just know that they are working intensely on it. I know it’s a big priority at Warner Bros., but it’s an equally big priority to get it right. We all felt that we had lightning in a bottle, in a way, and it partly got away from us, a little bit. It’s really important to harness everything that was great about it, and then fix what didn’t really work. So, I know they’re working on it, and we’ll see. I’m very excited to read something, but I don’t have any new information.”

It’s unknown exactly who will be appearing in Suicide Squad 2, though it’s fair to assume that Kinnaman and Margot Robbie will be returning as Rick Flag and Harley Quinn, respectively, as well as possibly Jared Leto as the Joker and Will Smith as Deadshot. Suicide Squad 2 is slated to start filming in fall 2018 for a presumed release in 2020.

It’s worth noting that Suicide Squad 2 isn’t the only movie involving DC’s worst villains. Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn is considered one of DC’s biggest successes in recent years, and they don’t want to squander away the opportunity to capitalize on her popularity. So, Robbie is slated to return in at least three Harley-related films in the coming years, including Suicide Squad 2. The other two movies are Birds of Prey and Joker/Harley Quinn. On the other hand, Gotham City Sirens may no longer be happening. Then, there was talk about a Deadshot spinoff starring Will Smith, but it seems Deadshot may have also fallen by the wayside.

Source: Collider