[Editorial] James Gunn To Write And Maybe Direct Suicide Squad 2

(Source - heavy.com)

The first Suicide Squad movie was a massive disappointment even though financially it was very successful, and it is even an Academy Award-winning movie. And, thankfully, WB recognizes that.

Having said that, however, we don't know if the studio would loosen the reins moving forward. Word surrounding the struggles of the first movie's production started with the studio forcing David Ayer out of the editing room, and letting the production house that cut the first trailer finish editing the final movie.

Reason for this was because Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice was seen as too dark. So they wanted Suicide Squad to be lighter, going against everything that Ayer initially pitched.

Personally, I never once believed it was the darker tone that did the movie in. It was just a horrible script to begin with. Ayer has a certain style in his storytelling and that did not suit this franchise, not completely anyway. Whether or not this was solely because of the editing, or just the Ayer-ism, we will never know.

Therefore, a Suicide Squad 2 was never of any interest to me. Until now.

The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that James Gunn has been hired to write the script to the sequel, and "with an eye to direct". This is one of WB's best decision to date.

After all, Suicide Squad was rushed into the cinemas because of the success of Guardians Of The Galaxy. "Task Force X" was DC's answer to Marvel's ragtag group of misfits that was forced to team-up in order to save the world / universe.

And so Gunn should be very comfortable stepping in to do this project, which I hope he will direct as well - unless Marvel still has some kind of hold on him; or there is still some secret deal we don't know about.

But if Gunn is given the project, he should be left alone to do whatever he wants to without the studio once again meddling. We have seen time and again that they just don't end up well. (Except for when it comes to Lucasfilm's Rogue One and Solo - which may or may not be better after the meddling.)