Despite almost a decade since his film’s release, David Ayer still wants to share his vision of 2016’sSuicide Squad. The original movie released to poor reception from fans and critics,with its biggest legacy being the castings of Viola Davis as Amanda Waller and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.Over the years, Ayer has openly discussed how he felt about the studio interference that derailed his creative plan forSuicide Squad, saying that the meddling “broke” him.
After the release ofZach Snyder’s Justice Leaguefollowing a successful fan campaign, the director has been clear in his hopes thatSuicide Squadwill get the same treatment. Recently,Ayer tweeted a fan posterfor the “Ayer cut,” with the caption: “I hope my real film can be shared one day. I appreciate the continued support and interest.” One user seemingly took issue with Ayer’s post and replied: “If your film was good in the first place, you wouldn’t need to have your own cut of the film.”
In response,Ayer was quick to remindthe individual that his cut of the film was not the theatrical or extended cut released by Warner Bros., explaining that “the best version simply has not been seen.” The director clarified that he knows “how difficult it is for someone outside the industry to comprehend how insanely different to cuts a film can be.” Ayer continued that he hopes audiences would be open to his new version, adding: “If you dislike what you’ve seen, here’s an opportunity to see what I actually intended and then judge once you have all the information.”
Ayer’s comments reflect a wider sentiment in Hollywood regarding studio interference. Sadly, this issue does not stop withSuicide Squad. As mentioned,Justice Leaguealso had a heavily altered theatrical cut.Within the superhero genre,The Marvelsalso seemed to have too many cooks in the kitchen.
Ayer’s original cut ofSuicide Squadreportedly included a scene where Joker makes a deal with Enchantressas well as other pivotal moments. Per the director, Warner Bros. decided to turn his “dark, soulful movie into a f—ing comedy” because of the polarizing reception ofBatman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.
Regardless of how probable it is,seeing Ayer’s cut ofSuicide Squadwould certainly be worth it.His work going to waste is a shame, and even if it has been over half a decade, the film is already made.
Suicide Squad Director Reveals Original Cut Was Never Shown To Test Audiences: “Madness Ensued”
Suicide Squad’s Director has set the record straight on the movie’s messy post-production, revealing that the original cut was never test-screened.
Allowing Ayer to recut the film and releasing it would likely require little financial upfront. However, Ayer doesn’t seem optimistic that Warner Bros. will release his cut ofSuicide Squad,stating that he has “to defer to James [Gunn] and the studio to manage it as they see fit” but “it would be a lot of fun for those who want to see it, to see [his] cut.”
Suicide Squad
Cast
The Suicide Squad team is made up of villains, captured and kept in a secret prison, and offered reduced sentences if they participate in dangerous missions. In the tradition of continuity within DCEU films, the event comes in the wake of Superman’s death and the seclusion of Batman after the events that occurred in Batman V Superman. Agency head Amanda Waller, played by award-winning actress Viola Davis, is the one striking deals with the inmates of Belle Reve Prison. Heading “Task Force X” is Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag, alongside Will Smith’s Deadshot, Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney’s Captain Boomerang, Jay Hernandez’s El Diablo, Adewale Akinnuoye’s Killer Croc, and Adam Beach’s Slipknot. Karen Fukuhara’s Katana also joins the mission to keep Rick safe from the villains. Jared Leto (Joker) and Ben Affleck (Batman) have smaller roles in David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, as does Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress.
