It looks like Warner Bros. is finally zeroing in on who will take the helm ofSuicide Squad 2. Deadline reports thatThe ShallowsandNon-StopfilmmakerJaume Collet-Serrahas emerged as the frontrunner to direct the DC Films follow-up, although no deal is in place just yet. It became clear pretty quickly thatDavid Ayerwould not be returning to write and direct the sequel—either because of the tumultuous post-production of the first film or because he’s got too many other films on his plate right now—and WB began looking for a big name to take the helm.Mel Gibsonwas one of the first potential filmmakers to surface, around the time that hisHacksaw Ridgewas gaining awards attention, but right now it sounds like Collet-Serra is Warner Bros.’ top choice.
Collet-Serra has become something of an auteur of seemingly benign action films. He made his debut with the 2005 remakeHouse of Wax, but really broke out with 2009’sOrphan. Since then he’s built up a solid working relationship withLiam Neesonon action-thrillers likeUnknown,Non-Stop,Run All Night, and the upcomingThe Commuter, but Collet-Serra proved his dynamism with last year’s surprise hit shark movieThe Shallows.
He’s been on WB’s radar for some time, as he was at one point attached to direct theirlive-actionAkiraremake. He most recently signed onto direct the real-life dramaWacofor Annapurna, and indeed even if he does agree to helmSuicide Squad 2it’s unclear when production might begin. Getting the massive ensemble cast together again will be tricky—Will Smithis gearing up to play Genie in Disney’sAladdin, andMargot Robbieis juggling a number of projects in various stages of development as both an actress and producer.
But this news tells us that despite the critical shellacking thatSuicide Squadreceived, Warner Bros. and DC Films are keen on giving it another go withSuicide Squad 2. What say you folks? Does news of Collet-Serra’s potential involvement make you interested in a sequel? Sound off in the comments below.
