David Ayer knows cop movies. As the screenwriter of films such as "Training Day," and "S.W.A.T.," and the director of "Street Kings," "Sabotage," and "End Of Watch," the filmmaker knows the milieu of those who wear the badge, and are sometimes corrupted by it, inside and out. And it’s a subject he certainly hasn’t grown tired of as he’s lining up a new movie that will dive into that world again — albeit with a completely wild twist.
Will Smith (who stars in Ayer’s upcoming "Suicide Squad") and Joel Edgerton will star in "Bright" for the director. Penned by Max Landis ("Chronicle," "American Ultra," "Victor Frankenstein"), the movie will take place in a world where faeries and orcs live with humans, and will center on an orc cop. Uh, okay then. Frankly, I’d rather two talented guys like Smith and Edgerton make a normal cop flick, than one set in a magical world, but maybe that’s just me. At any rate, this will apparently have a big budget, and has already been approved for a California state tax rebate, so this should ramp up this year.
However, the more interesting tidbit from The Wrap‘s report on the film comes from this portion: "Ayer hopes to fit the project into his fall schedule before Warner Bros. brings him and Smith back for a planned ‘Suicide Squad’ sequel in 2017."
This is the first mention of a sequel to "Suicide Squad," and the apparent shoot date of 2017 indicates that Warner Bros. might be shuffling their roster DC Films. Certainly, in the context of last month’s rumors that WB were considering shaking up their upcoming slate of superhero films, and given the already palpable excitement for "Suicide Squad," putting a followup into production, rather than making a "Cyborg" movie, for example, might make more sense. If anything, the trade report would suggest the studio are confident in "Suicide Squad." Something to keep an eye on at any rate.
"Suicide Squad" opens on August 5th.