In the multiverse of Hollywood disasters and redemption arcs, no film has a more bizarre sequel story than Suicide Squad . To discuss Suicide Squad 2 is to discuss a schizophrenic artifact: because, technically, two movies exist that could claim that title. And their contrast tells us everything about the difference between a product and a vision. The Phantom Sequel: Suicide Squad 2 (2016–2019) Before James Gunn ever touched a tablet, Warner Bros. was desperately trying to reverse-engineer a sequel to David Ayer’s 2016 Suicide Squad . That film—a jarring mashup of edgy music videos, studio-mandated reshoots, and Jared Leto’s method-acting nightmares—made $746 million but was critically savaged. The response? Greenlight Suicide Squad 2 immediately, but with a twist: hire Gavin O’Connor ( The Accountant , Warrior ) to make it “grittier and more grounded.”
So when you hear "Suicide Squad 2," forget the Jared Leto cameos that never happened. Forget the studio memos. Remember Polka-Dot Man seeing his mom in every spot. Remember King Shark eating a whole guy and saying, "Yummy." Remember that sometimes, a sequel only works if you’re brave enough to kill the first one all over again. suicide.squad.2
Then the bottom fell out. Will Smith left due to scheduling conflicts (read: Aladdin and Bad Boys for Life ). O’Connor departed over creative differences. The project flatlined. In the multiverse of Hollywood disasters and redemption
"Don’t get attached."