Warner Bros. and DC FIlms' long hunt for a Suicide Squad director may be over.The AccountantandWarriordirectorGavin O’Connorhas been recruited to write the script for the upcoming superhero sequel and is also in talks to direct. Thenext DC film on the shooting scheduleisDavid F. Sandberg’s live-actionShazam!andSuicide Squad 2isn’t expected to head into production until fall 2018 at the earliest, but perVariety, the studio was keen to get someone working on the script ASAP.
That’s probably a wise idea considering howSuicide Squad’s infamously rushed production cycle turned out and O’Connor is a natural choice for the gig considering he already has roots at the studio. Last year, he directedBen AffleckinThe Accountantat Warner Bros. and the studio is already developing a sequel for which he and Affleck are expected to return.
O’Connor is set to land the gig after a rather exhaustive search for the right filmmaker to helm DC’s anti-hero actioner follow-up.David Ayerdirected the first film and it’s been confirmed that he will not return for the sequel. In early days, Warner Bros. approachedMel Gibsonfor the gig before moving on to The Shallows helmerJuan Collet-Serra. WhenCollet-Serra opted to take on Disney’sJungle Cruisemovie withDwayne Johnson, the search continued. Other names previously in the mix wereJonathan Levine(Warm Bodies) andDaniel Espinosa(Life), who may resurface, as well asRuben Fleischer(Zombieland) who has since moved on to directingVenomfor Sony.
Margot Robbie and Will Smith are expected to return as fan favorites Harley Quinn and Deadshot, but their busy schedules mean the production date is up in the air for the time being. Smith just kicked off filmingGuy Ritchie’sAladdinand is set to head up the long, long, long develop sci-fi-fiGemini ManforAng Lee. Robbie is currently filmingMary Queen of Scotsand is also in development on a separate DCEU vehicle for Harley Quinn, with bothGotham City Sirensand a Harley/Joker movie making the rumor rounds. She also has a number of other projects in the works as both an actress and producer.
It’s clear that despite the critical beatingSuicide Squadtook, Warner Bros. is keen to get the wheels in motion on a sequel. How do you guys like O’Connor for the job? Sound off in the comments.
