In case you somehow missed everything that’s happened over the last few months, Disney fired James Gunn in July of last year, after controversial tweets from the director’s past resurfaced. As expected, there was a public outpouring of support for Gunn and criticism of Disney for the dismissal. Despite this, Disney stuck to their gunns (Yes! I could not let that opportunity pass!) and did not reverse the dismissal. It was a huge loss for Disney, but more so for the comic book community as a whole. It meant that we wouldn’t be able to see the last Guardians movie helmed by the great James Gunn. Since then, it seems that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 was in limbo as Disney deliberated on the next step for the franchise.
However, it seems all wasn’t lost. DC took the opportunity to nab the quirky filmmaker for a franchise that seemed to fit his sensibilities. Gunn signed to write and direct a new Suicide Squad movie, following David Ayer’s first outing. A win for DC and for the comic book community!
This week, something I thought was impossible happened. Disney sort of ate crow and actually rehired James Gunn to direct Guardians 3. Personally, I was shocked, but very happy. I was excited to see Gunn back where he rightfully belongs, at the helm of the Guardians franchise that he started. While Marvel fans celebrated his return, DC fans were left to wonder… what did that mean for The Suicide Squad?
First Squad, then Guardians. Everybody wins!
While there has been no official word from Disney/Marvel, WB/DC, or James Gunn, we have some news from a source with some credibility behind it.
Speaking with Joblo, Peter Safran, the producer of Aquaman and the upcoming Shazam! has expounded a bit on what’s to come for Gunn.
While fans speculated and worried about what would happen with our dear Squad, it seems it was much simpler than we anticipated. Gunn will finish Squad at no rush and, once completed, he’ll move on to work on Guardians 3. That’s it!
Safran said:
[I]t was all handled incredibly elegantly and everybody knows on both sides that Suicide Squad is the priority today and he’ll finish that movie and then everybody knows that his next film will be Guardians.
I guess the fact of the matter is that, while Gunn was fired, he took up a new job and he is contractually obligated to finish the new job, while the old job was put on hold and will just work around Gunn’s new schedule.
This is probably the best news for all comic book fans, DC and Marvel alike. I adore the Guardians movies, so am beyond excited to see them back at home with their rightful father. I’m also incredibly excited to see how Gunn will inject his quirky brand of humor and heart to Task Force X. This is going to be so much fun!
New Deadshot means a Suicide Squad reboot
Now, that we’re on the subject of The Suicide Squad. Safran also confirmed something that’s been on everyone’s minds since Gunn took the job: Will this be a direct sequel David Ayers’ SS? And apparently, the answer is no.
According to Safran
We don’t call it Suicide Squad 2 ‘cause it’s a total reboot
Safran continued on to hype the project and explain why we should be excited. So, the news for a new Deadshot and new members was all leading towards a reboot. In the words of Jason Momoa, “I dig it.”
While I’m okay with DC basically abandoning their shared cinematic universe with this decision, I just realize that it’s going to be really confusing. Aquaman has already acknowledged Justice League and it makes me wonder if Wonder Woman 1984 will do the same. Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) seems like it will spin off from Ayers’ SS as it looks like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is calling it quits with the Joker. It’s going to be weird time with DC movies over the next few years as they course correct, but I’m confident Gunn is going to give us the Suicide Squad movie we deserve.
What do you think? Are you happy James Gunn will be working on both The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3? Do you think it’s a good idea to reboot the franchise? Let me know.
The Suicide Squad will hit theatres on August 6, 2021.