Suicide Squad 2 Directors Shortlist Released

Perhaps the most interesting news of the day was the report that Mel Gibson is being considered to direct the upcoming Suicide Squad sequel. But as a recent report reveals, he isn’t the only director in that search.

Variety reports that Warner Brothers is also considering Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), Daniel Espinosa (Safe House), and Jonathan Levine (Warm Bodies). According to the website’s sources, Warner Brothers has either had meetings with these directors, or is planning to meet with them in the near future. The chosen director will replace David Ayer, who will instead be directing the Harley Quinn spinoff Gotham City Sirens.

While this is by no means a complete list of directors, it does provide an interesting look at the direction that the studio is planning on taking the sequel.

Gibson still remains the most controversial name on that list, having only recently attempted to clear his name of a series of scandals with his last directing job, the Oscar-nominated Hacksaw Ridge. While adding his name to the project would create an interesting partnership and make the sequel even more unique, doing so would easily create a division amongst fans of the previous film.

The remaining names on the shortlist each have positive qualities that make their attachment to Suicide Squad 2 an easy assumption.

Espinosa, mainly known for directing action thrillers, could easily enter the pop culture zeitgeist with the upcoming release of Life, his sci-fi horror film starring Ryan Reynolds and Jake Gyllenhaal. His addition to the DCEU would bring the promise of cool action sequences, something that the first Suicide Squad had plenty of.

Levine, on the other hand, is established for directing and writing more straightforward comedies and dramas, collaborating with Seth Rogen on films like 50/50 and The Night Before. His most recent directing job is the Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn buddy film Snatched, which will be released on May 12th. This would mean that he would help provide humor and heart to the franchise (and, judging by Snatched, hopefully some positive female representation as well).

And last is Fleischer, who has helmed films such as Zombieland, 30 Minutes or Less, and Gangster Squad. He also has been regularly involved in various sitcoms, most recently Superstore and Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet. With his previous body of work often blending action and comedy together, he seems like a great fit for the franchise.

It’s uncertain which of these four directors will end up directing Suicide Squad 2, or if it will be someone else altogether. Considering the fact that Suicide Squad made $745 million at the worldwide box office, this is sure to be a decision that Warner Brothers is taking seriously.

Who is your pick to direct the film? Sound off in the comments below.

Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself?

Written and directed by David Ayer, the film starred Will Smith, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, and Viola Davis. The cast also included Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Ike Barinholtz, Scott Eastwood, Cara Delevingne, Adam Beach, and Karen Fukuhara in her feature film debut.

MORE: Suicide Squad Director Reteams With Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn For Gotham City Sirens Movie / Suicide Squad Director Teases Gotham City Sirens Character Roster

Suicide Squad: The Extended Cut is now available on Digital HD, Blu-ray, and DVD.