Last week, it was announced that Will Smith would not be reprising his role as Deadshot in Suicide Squad‘s upcoming sequel. The Hollywood Reporter confirms that another high-profile actor is potentially stepping into the role.
According to their report, Idris Elba “is in talks” to play Deadshot in Suicide Squad’s sequel. The movie will reportedly be directed by James Gunn, and is slated for a 2021 release. Elba, who will be hosting SNL this weekend (Mar. 9), was reportedly Gunn’s only prospect for the role, and talks about his future in the film went “so swimmingly.”
“Gunn is said to be using mostly DC characters who did not appear in David Ayer’s 2016 film, although several are expected to return, including Deadshot, Harley Quinn and Rick Flagg, originally played by Joel Kinnaman, say sources,” according to THR. “Another source, however, says Flagg is no longer in the follow-up.”
Elba should have no problem playing a darker role in an action-packed film. He’ll be appearing in the upcoming Hobbs & Shaw as the genetically-amplified “bad guy” Brixton, who threatens to alter “the future of the planet.” In the film, Hobbs and Shaw will have to work together to defeat him.