Warner Bros. trying to entice Mel Gibson to direct 'Suicide Squad 2'

Image from Business Insider

By Darian Scalamoni

            In maybe the most surprising news of the year so far, Mel Gibson (Hacksaw Ridge, Braveheart) is being courted to direct a film in the DCEU. According to THR, Warner Bros. is courting the actor/director to helm Suicide Squad 2. Gibson and the studio are very early in talks and no official offer has been made nor a commitment from Gibson.

            This shocking news is coming just months after an interview with Deadline in which he called the studio’s recent disappointment, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, “a piece of shit”. He furthered his claims of stating “I’m not interested in (superhero movies). Do you know the difference between real superheroes and comic book superheroes is? Real superheroes didn’t wear spandex. So I don’t know. Spandex must cost a lot.” Interesting words coming from the director that the studio is coveting for one of their films. This comes following David Ayer’s effort of an ensemble comic-book fare led by anti-heroes that was torn down critically despite an all-star cast led by Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Jared Leto.

            The report says that Gibson is familiarizing himself with the comic-book material but the studio understands it might not be a realistic possibility, especially because of his past words. Warner Bros. is also looking at other directors beyond Gibson, including Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Life). It seems that the studio is adamant on putting a new director on the property and will still keep Ayer on board to possibly helm their female-led villain movie, Gotham City Sirens that will reprise Robbie’s role as Harley Quinn

            Gibson’s stock has dramatically risen with a multitude of offers after his most-recent directorial turn, Hacksaw Ridge was nominated for Best Picture and he, himself was nominated for Best Director. He’s also in talks to join Daddy’s Home 2 and will reteam with his Hacksaw Ridge actor, Vince Vaughn for a crime indie titled Dragged Across Concrete.