Suicide Squad Cast Respond to Negative Critic Reviews

Here we go again: Another DC Extended Universe movie, another round of divisive, vitriol-fueled, flame-warring all over the Internet. It’s almost becoming a tradition with these DC movies (some are already calling it a conspiracy), and as we head into the final stretch before opening day, Suicide Squad‘s big box office hopes are now being weighed against overwhelmingly negative critical reviews.

But while fans are crying foul against critics, and some critics are going so far as to say Suicide Squad is worse than the Fantastic Four reboot, what are the actual people involved with the film saying about this uproar over their movie? Read on to learn how the cast and director of Suicide Squad are handling the negative buzz.

Star Will Smith is a consummate professional, navigating the situation by extending understanding to critics, while still revving up the fanbase: “I think people had expectations that may have been different, but I’m excited for the fans to get to vote,” Smith told Reuters.

His co-star Cara Delevingne was less reserved, claiming, “The critics have been absolutely horrific, they’re really, really horrible. You know, I just don’t think they like superhero movies.” (The folks over at Marvel may disagree, Ms. Delevingne.)

Even less reserved than Delevingne, director David Ayer has been all too vocal on social media and in public about his love for Suicide Squad (remember that whole “F*ck Marvel incident?), and so it shouldn’t surprise that he’s been willing to confront the negative reaction to the film. As Ayer told Reuters: “I made the movie for real people who live in the real world. I made the movie for people who actually love movies and go and see movies.“

…And so we come to the big junction point: Will Suicide Squad perform well with fans and casual viewers despite being a flop with critics?

In recent years there’s been a widening divide between “professional” reviewers and the casual fan who can broadcast his/her opinion just as easily across social media. In fact, Suicide Squad has already tapped that nerve so hard, that a young man’s simple suggestion to shut down critical aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes quickly evolved into a real movement. One shudders to think what happens if viewers wholeheartedly embrace Suicide Squad; the critic/fan schism could widen into a chasm.

NEXT: Suicide Squad: Problems Behind the Scenes?

Suicide Squad blasts into theaters August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman is coming on June 2, 2017; followed by Justice League on November 17, 2017; The Flash on March 16, 2018; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League 2 on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern Corps on July 24, 2020.