Warner Bros. is having some trouble getting the skwad back together. The studio has long been working with DC Films to try get the sequel to last summer’s trainwreck in the works, but have had a difficult time securing a director. David Ayer exited to focus on “Gotham City Sirens,” and plenty of names have been tossed around including Mel Gibson, David Goyer, and recent frontrunner Jaume Collet-Serra. However, the latter is taking another job.
Deadline reports that Collet-Serra is moving on from “Suicide Squad 2,” and jumping over to Disney where he’ll make his big budget debut with “Jungle Cruise” starring Dwayne Johnson. The director is mostly known for his mid-range, somewhat elevated B-movies like “Non-Stop,” “Run All Night,” “The Shallows,” and the upcoming “The Commuter,” but it’s clear he’s ready to try something with more scale. Now he’ll get his chance with Disney and The Rock, as they try and launch another ‘Pirates’ style franchise based on a theme park attraction. Filming will begin next spring.
As for “Suicide Squad 2,” the hunt will continue, and with no firm release date locked down, WB and DC have time to figure it out. Adam Cozad (“The Legend Of Tarzan,” “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit”) is writing the script for the movie, and we’re sure a new shortlist of directors will emerge soon.