James Gunn's DCU Could Still Bring Back Will Smith's Gunslinger and give him the Suicide Squad spinoff that the actor originally wanted. From David Corenswet's Superman and Milly Alcock's Supergirl to The brave and the boldBatman and a yet-to-be-cast Wonder Woman, the DCU will introduce a new set of DC characters in both animation and live-action. However, several DCEU characters survived the DCU reboot - particularly those related to James Gunn's film. The Suicide Squad: Peacemaker by John Cena, Vigilante by Freddie Stroma, Amanda Waller by Viola Davis, Weasel by Sean Gunn, among others.
The Suicide Squad was itself a soft reboot of Suicide Squad. Characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn and Jai Courtney's Captain Boomerang appear to be the same version of characters from both films, but The Suicide Squad does not directly reference the events of the first film. Now that DCU projects like Creature Commands recontextualize DCEU titles as The Suicide Squad within the DCU continuity, James Gunn The Suicide Squad now it seems to fit into the latter franchise rather than the former.
Why Will Smith left his role as Deadshot
Will Smith Almost Reprized His DCEU Role Before Leaving the Franchise
In 2016, a spinoff centered on Will Smith's Deadshot was being discussed, despite Suicide Squadmixed reception. ONE Suicide Squad the sequel was also confirmed as soon as the first installment was released. However, Will Smith had to abandon his role as Deadshot due to scheduling conflicts. As Suicide Squad 2 changed titles and directors, Will Smith played his Oscar-winning role in King Richard. After Will Smith's absence, James Gunn decided to swap Deadshot for Bloodsport, with Idris Elba playing the new shooter.
Deadshot's current whereabouts are unknown, though a DCU version of the antihero probably exists somewhere out there.
The fact that The Suicide Squad never acknowledged that Will Smith's Deadshot left his fate ambiguous and enabled his return in an eventual sequel, but of course, the DCEU continued to go through several challenges that led to the franchise's end in 2023. While the DCU Creature Commands, Wallerand Peacemaker Season 2 are slowly reconstructing the events of The Suicide Squad, Suicide Squadthe plot and characters remain unrecognized. Meanwhile, Deadshot's current whereabouts are unknown, though a DCU version of the antihero likely exists somewhere out there.
Will Smith revealed he wanted to return as Deadshot
Will Smith has a clear crush on his DCEU antihero
Over the years, Will Smith has expressed his interest in starring in a film Gunslinger solo film. In your YouTube channel, Will Smith said, "I hope so. I love playing Deadshot. I really liked that character." and when the DCEU Gunslinger spin off was still in early development, Smith revealed, "They're talking about it. So if a good idea comes up, we've been having meetings. But I'd love to. I love Deadshot." As an A-list leading man, Will Smith has everything he needs to star in a successful DC solo film.
Talking to HQ In 2021, Will Smith also expressed his interest in playing a powerful black superhero, saying: “I wanted to portray black excellence alongside my white counterparts. I wanted to play roles that you would give to Tom Cruise.” After the success of Black Panthera Will Smith vehicle centered on one of Gotham's deadliest killers sounds like a winning movie concept. Already in the first chapter of the DCU, Will Smith may still be interested in reprising his role in the DCEU.
James Gunn's DCU reboot should revive Smith's Deadshot for his own film
Will Smith's Deadshot spinoff still possible in James Gunn's DCU
Just as John Cena's Chris Smith joined the DCU despite the Justice League cameo in the Peacemaker finale and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller is starring in her own DCU show despite leading Task Force X in the DCEU Suicide SquadWill Smith's Deadshot could easily get his own DCU movie or series soon. The success of solo projects by Batman-adjacent villains like Todd Phillips Clown and Lauren LeFranc The penguin also supports the idea that Gunslinger Solo movie can prosper. Clayface is already a pioneer in Batman films led by villains in James Gunn's DCU, parallel to similar DC Other Worlds projects.
The narrative foundations for a Gunslinger film already exists. In David Ayer Suicide Squada flashback scene revealed that Batman arrested Deadshot in front of his daughter, which led Deadshot to hate Batman. Deadshot's backstory would fit well with James Gunn's penchant for father-son stories, as seen in the Guardians of the Galaxy films and Peacemaker. Batman's involvement in Gunslinger probably wouldn't be a problem, since the Superman and Justice League references in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker will be ignored in the DCU.
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