The DC Extended Universe has gone through its ups and downs over the last year. Batman v. Superman and Suicide Squad were big financial hits but were dogged by negative reviews. Early rumors suggest Wonder Woman is headed down the same road. But the show must go on, and Warner Bros. is moving forward with a DCEU film slate that includes Justice League, Flash, Aquaman, The Batman and Suicide Squad 2.
According to Variety, Warner Bros. is in talks with Mel Gibson to direct. Gibson is riding hot off of a Best Director Oscar nomination for his war film Hacksaw Ridge but is reportedly not the only director being considered.
Safe House director Daniel Espinosa is also in the running for the directing gig, along with Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and Johnathan Levine (Warm Bodies). Levine was in the conversation to direct Spider-Man: Homecoming, so it makes sense he’s rumored to direct another superhero movie.
Suicide Squad director David Ayers was initially going to return for the sequel but has since taken up directing duties for Gotham City Sirens.
The wide net Warner Bros. is casting isn’t surprising. The first Suicide Squad movie wasn’t good and if a sequel is made, it needs to be perfect. Gibson is an Academy Award winning director while Espinosa, Fleischer and Levine are seen as up-and-coming talent who could breathe new life into the DC Extended Universe.
What does this mean for The Batman and other DCEU movies?
At this point, Suicide Squad 2 is only in the early stages of finding a director. A script still needs to be written and a schedule needs to be worked out with stars such as Will Smith and Margot Robbie. The earliest release date for the movie would likely occur in 2019, if not 2020.
The two main projects that this may impact are The Batman and Gotham City Sirens. The standalone Batman movie is going through its own issues with Ben Affleck dropping out as director. Not much is known about Gotham City Sirens other than David Ayers is directing and Margot Robbie is returning as Harley Quinn. If Warner Bros. does nab a director for Suicide Squad 2 and gets a script started soon, it may bump those two movies from the schedule.