Suicide Squad sequel updates: Viola Davis returns; Idris Elba out as Deadshot, but playing new character

Jeffrey Lyles April 5, 2019 0 Comments Idris Elba, James Gunn, Margot Robbie, The Suicide Squad, Viola Davis

It’s so hard to keep up with all of the changes for James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad sequel/reboot. First it seemed everyone was returning. First Margot Robbie wasn’t going to be able to reprise her role as the original film’s breakout character Harley Quinn. Now she will be back.

Joel Kinnaman was also out as his Rick Flag wasn’t going to play a role at all. Then Will Smith had to bail returning as Deadshot due to scheduling conflicts only to be replaced by Idris Elba. Now? You might want to sit down.

Turns out Warner Bros. execs thought better against having Elba replace Smith and didn’t want to disrespect him since his star power was a huge selling point of the original. Whether you still consider Smith a major box office draw is up for debate, but the loyalty is a nice change of pace.

It’s certainly not like there’s a shortage of characters for Elba to play. Honestly the most obvious and coolest choice for him would be Ben Turner aka The Bronze Tiger. Tiger was a longtime member of the team and assumed leadership of the group in the comics after Flag was sidelined. Elba’s certainly got the presence to command a team of misfits and it’d be nice to have him in the featured role.

Viola Davis will be back to play Amanda Waller. That was a smart move as Davis was a perfect live-action version of The Wall. Davis is the third returning cast member joining Robbie and Jai Courtney, who confirmed he’d be back to play Captain Boomerang.

Gunn still has plenty of time to assemble his team as his version of Suicide Squad isn’t set to arrive in theaters until Aug. 6, 2021.

What do you think of all the Suicide Squad news? Does any of it have you any more excited about this new installment?