Will Smith is not reprising his role as Deadshot in the upcoming Suicide Squad sequel.
Sources told Variety that Smith is not returning for the similarly titled follow-up to the 2016 DC film due to scheduling conflicts. The decision behind the actor’s exit was reportedly made on amicable terms between him and Warner Bros. Pictures with no hard feelings.
Though Smith’s return to the franchise has never been confirmed by Warner Bros., insiders said that the studio has always wanted the original film’s biggest stars like Smith to reprise their respective roles in the second installment.
While no cast is set as of yet, Deadline reported that the plan is to have Margot Robbie reprise her role as Harley Quinn. The first movie, which centers on a motley crew of supervillains tasked into executing a hazardous black-ops mission for the government, also stars Jared Leto, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis, Scott Eastwood, and Cara Delevingne.
To be helmed by Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn, the sequel is described as a new take on the property and will feature a mostly all-new cast of characters. With a current release date of August 6th, 2021, the production is eyeing a September start in Atlanta.
Smith will next star as Genie in Disney’s live-action remake of Aladdin, which will open in theaters on May 24th. The 50-year-old Oscar-nominated actor will also reprise his role as Detective Lieutenant Mike Lowrey in Bad Boys III, aka Bad Boys for Life, which is set to be released on January 17th, 2020.