Well, I bet you didn’t see this one coming. Warner Bros. is reportedly eyeingMel Gibsonto direct theSuicide Squadsequel. PerTHR, the studio is courting Gibson for the directorial gig and is in early talks with the actor-director, who sources say is familiarizing himself with the material. The report also notes that the studio is “not being passive” in their director search, eying other candidates includingSafe HouseandLifedirectorDaniel Espinosa.Varietyreports that the studio is also eyeingRuben Fleischer(Zombieland) andJonathan Levine(Warm Bodies).
Gibson’s possible involvement in the sequel is sure to spark some lively twitter debate and it’s certainly a bold move on the studio’s part.David Ayer, who is currently working on Gotham City Sirens, helmed the first film, introducing comic book favorites Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Deadshot (Will Smith) and the Joker (Jared Leto) to the cinematic DC Universe.Suicide Squadwas a divisive film, to say the least. Critically lambasted, but commercially successful to the tune of $745 million worldwide, the film raised a lot of ire in light of depictions of women and minorities that were “problematic,” to use the popular terminology. Needless to say, Gibson’s history in respect to women and minorities is spotty, to put it lightly. It’s kind of an insane move on the studio’s part, like they looked at the situation and said, “How can we make this worse?” and it’s sure to strike up some controversy.
For Gibson, being considered by Warner Bros. for a gig like this marks a major turnaround for the actor-director, whose career took a well-earned hit after his infamous anti-Semitic rant. Gibson is currently riding the wave of a career resurrection thanks to his Oscar-nominatedHacksaw Ridge, his first directorial effort in a decade. The film earned six nominations at the Academy Award and Gibson has also recently locked down roles in theDaddy’s Homesequel, as well as the cop dramaDragged Across Concrete, fromBone TomahawkdirectorS. Craig Zahler. And creatively, he’s a pretty good fit for the material. Gibson’s directorial resume is full of visceral action and gritty aesthetic, if perhaps a bit more pious than you would normally associate with the shady antiheroes at the heart ofSuicide Squad.
The news comes in the midst of fairly regular creative turmoil over at DC Films, which has struggled to get their Extended Universe on the right track. Most recently,Ben Affleckdropped out of directingthe long-discussedThe BatmanwithMatt Reevespositioned totake over at the helm.The Flashhas also faced its fair share of problems after losing directorRick FamuyiwaandSeth Grahame-Smith. That film is currently undergoing apage-one rewritefromJoby Harold. Needless to say, the franchise is in a state of creative redirection and Gibson is a peculiar choice to further that agenda.
Would Gibson’s addition to the DCEU directorial roster be another creative misstep for the franchise or a bold and seriously uncompromising way to further their vision? Sound off in the comments with your thoughts.
