Suicide Squad 2 aiming for a 2018 production start, according to Joel Kinnaman

One could be forgiven for not recollecting that on financial figures, Warner Bros and DC’s anti-hero blockbuster Suicide Squad was an immense commercial success. On the critical spectrum, the film was lambasted by critics and director David Ayer even expressed his own regrets on the final product. However, the film that brought a collective of DC’s most prominent villains (and Slipknot) to the silver screen pocketed a more than profitable $745 million at the worldwide box office. Despite the less than warm reception, Suicide Squad was able to illuminate a clear desire from audiences to see this property expand, and little time has been wasted on placing a sequel in active development. Now, star Joel Kinnaman has provided an update on the intended start date for Suicide Squad 2 to make a tentative 2019 release.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, while discussing his role in Netflix’s House of Cards, Kinnaman stated briefly where Suicide Squad 2 was at. With the adaptation of The Flash repeatedly stalled, it had been suggested that Warner Bros were eager to have another DC property supplement the void, meaning Aquaman would not be the sole 2018 comic tentpole release. But if Kinnaman’s comments are anything to go by, Suicide Squad 2 will not be filling that slate. Here’s what he had to say:

“As far as I know they’re writing the script and I think the plan is to shoot it sometime in 2018, but that could change. I think I’ll definitely come back for it.”

The film is still without a director, although names such as Mel Gibson, Daniel Espinosa and Jaume Collet-Serra are supposedly all in contention, nothing has progressed beyond speculation. Kinnaman also expressed who he believed would be ideal to helm the sequel, throwing his support for David Ayer to return.

“Ultimately, I’d love for David Ayer to direct it, but if he doesn’t want to direct it then someone who is great with character and that’s able to ground the story and maybe put these characters in a more normal situation. It would be really interesting to see these crazy characters interact with regular people as well.”

The likelihood of Ayer returning for the sequel is near impossible. Ayer is linked to the Harley Quinn-centric Gotham City Sirens as well as recently closing a deal to direct Scarface which is scheduled to hit cinemas next year. But while the director’s chair still remains unoccupied, Kinnaman’s comments at least instil the fact that a sequel to Suicide Squad is garnering emphasis. It had been previously reported that The Legend of Tarzan scribe Adam Cozad is penning the screenplay.

For more on the developments of Suicide Squad 2, it will be reported here.

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