Will Smith Departs Deadshot Role in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Relaunch

Well, that was a long shot. With the fate of all the actors from Suicide Squad hanging in the air, one actor is officially confirmed to have made his official exit. Will Smith, who plays Deadshot, won’t be in James Gunn’s Suicide Squad relaunch.

According to Variety, sources say that Smith won’t be able to juggle between his other commitments and the upcoming production for The Suicide Squad this fall. “Scheduling was the ultimate factor and that the decision was made on amicable terms between both sides with no hard feelings,” says the report.

The DC Extended Universe continues to have an unsure path as to whether or not the films will follow a specific continuity. With the stellar success of Aquaman and the upcoming “standalone” films like Shazam and Joker, fans are unable to pinpoint the track that Warner Bros. is taking the DCEU.

James Gunn’s recent takeover of The Suicide Squad relaunch seems to hint at a timeline-free cinematic universe too. Smith leaving the fore also tells us that the studio is dead set on taking advantage of the commercial success that the first Suicide Squad movie brought in (and not to mention an Oscar for Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling). It’s also unclear if Margot Robbie will be returning as Harley Quinn, as she is currently hands-deep into the production for Birds of Prey and the Funtabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn.

The Suicide Squad is slated for an August 6, 2021 release date.