SUICIDE SQUAD Passes $300 Million Domestically; Shia LaBeouf Was Approached for Role

Suicide Squad recently concluded its fifth weekend of release, and the DC film continues to be a box office hit. Over the four-day Labor Day weekend, the movie grossed $12.7 million, maintaining its #2 position. The film is now at $300.1 million domestically and $378.1 million. This brings its worldwide total to $678.2 million.

Suicide Squad has now surpassed Man of Steel as the second biggest installment of the DC Extended Universe, both domestically and worldwide. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice maintains the top spot with $330.4 million domestically and $872.7 million worldwide. These are very impressive numbers, and hopefully, we’ll hear something official about Suicide Squad 2 soon.

Stay tuned for more box office updates as we have them.

One of the biggest mysteries going into Suicide Squad was Scott Eastwood’s role. The actor was rumored/speculated to be playing a slew of fan-favorite DC characters, such as Deathstroke, Steve Trevor and even Dick Grayson. However, he ended up playing “GQ Edwards,” who was little more than a random soldier. But did you know that Shia LaBeouf was considered for this role?

In an interview with Variety, LaBeouf reveals that writer-director David Ayer approached him for Suicide Squad. The two previously worked together on Fury. LaBeouf says that both Edwards’ role and Rick Flagg’s were reduced after Will Smith was cast as Deadshot. This was actually rumored as one reason why Tom Hardy dropped out.

“The character was different initially,” LaBeouf says. “Then Will came in, and the script changed a bit. That character and Tom’s character got written down to build Will up.” The actor also adds that, while Ayer really wanted him for the movie, Warner Bros. did not. He explains, “I don’t think Warner Bros. wanted me. I went in to meet, and they were like, ‘Nah, you’re crazy. You’re a good actor, but not this one.’ It was a big investment for them.”

Another factor to consider: LaBeouf has voiced his lack of interest in big budget tentpole films, following the Transformers trilogy and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. So, it’s not surprising that he would turn down a major comic book movie.