Film

Idris Elba To Replace Will Smith As Deadshot In James Gunn’s ‘The Suicide Squad’

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 10: Actor Idris Elba speaks to the media at the premiere of “The Mountain Between Us” during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 10, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by J. Countess/WireImage)

Last week it was reported that Will Smith would not be reprising his role as Deadshot in the upcoming James Gunn-directed sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad, due to ‘scheduling conflicts’ (gotta film that Bright sequel).

Now The Hollywood Reporter, has revealed that no other than Idris Elba is in talks to replace Will Smith as the assassin turned anti-hero. Elba was allegedly Gunn’s first and only choice for the role after Smith walked, and last Friday had a meeting with the actor that went well.

The Suicide Squad will feature a primarily new cast aside from a few returnees, one of those hopefully being Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn. There are also conflicting reports on whether Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flagg will be returning.

Elba is no stranger to the world of superheroes. He played the Asgardian Heimdall in the MCU, and he also had a role in 2011’s forgettable Ghost Rider: Spirit Of Vengeance. He also has a fairly busy year ahead of him; he’ll be leading his own Netflix original series later this month in Turn-Up Charlie, and he’ll also be playing the main villain in this summer’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. He’ll also be appearing in Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of the Broadway musical Cats, which will arrive just in time for Christmas.

The Suicide Squad is set to arrive in theaters August 6, 2021 and is being written and directed by James Gunn. For more on the sequel and it’s casting, stay tuned to WOBAM! Entertainment!

Student at Ball State and lover of all things Spielberg.