After Zack Snyder's cut of Justice League was met mostly with praise following its release last year, that inevitably added fuel to the internet's campaign to see a director's cut of David Ayer's Suicide Squad. Ayer has long been an advocate for his original version to be released, but it appears as though Will Smith, who starred as Deadshot in the film, is also a supporter of this campaign.
The reason for the outcry for specifically Suicide Squad in this situation is obvious. In spite of being one of the most hyped-up blockbusters of 2016, it is also considered one of the most disappointing, as well as one of the worst superhero movies ever made.
In spite of the poor reception to the version of Suicide Squad that was released, Smith was a fan of both the theatrical cut and the director's cut. "Let me tell you, there's a whole lot that stayed on the floor for 'Suicide Squad'," Smith explained to Variety on the red carpet for the premiere of Bel-Air. No matter how the film turned out, it appears Smith enjoyed his involvement in the DCEU as Deadshot. "I’m into it. I love that world. I love what was created in both versions. I absolutely would love to [see it]."
Among all that went wrong with Suicide Squad's theatrical cut, Smith's performance as Deadshot certainly wasn't one of its detriments. As one of the film's more compelling characters, Smith expertly played more of an antihero than a purely evil villain who commits the villainous deeds he does out of unconditional love for his daughter. Seeing Deadshot's relationship with his daughter potentially get more spotlight in a director's cut could definitely serve to make the film even better than its theatrical release depending on what exactly gets put on screen.
At this point, what could it hurt to release Ayer's original vision? Love it or hate it, Suicide Squad brought in some exceptionally talented actors to anchor the movie, including Smith, Margot Robbie, and Viola Davis among others. In spite of the film's incoherent storyline and disappointing climax, the roles these actors played clearly mattered to them. Warner Bros. releasing the director's cut of Justice League coupled with its positive reception demonstrates that, at minimum, the original Suicide Squad film deserves a second chance.
Warner Bros. also has to consider the timing if it were to release Ayer's version of the film. The movie's sequel, The Suicide Squad, came with even bigger and more universal acclaim than Zack Snyder's cut of Justice League did. Releasing it just after James Gunn's film could potentially be capitalizing on the source material's ever-growing popularity. Especially since the airing of Peacemaker only continues to add to said popularity.
Suicide Squad can currently be watched on HBO Max.
Source: Variety/Twitter