James Gunn's Suicide Squad Movie Is A "Total Reboot," Not Called Suicide Squad 2

More details have come to light about DC's upcoming Suicide Squad sequel from James Gunn. Producer Peter Safran told Joblo that the sequel is a "total reboot," so it shouldn't be referred to as Suicide Squad 2. The name the studio is using is The Suicide Squad, though whether or not this is the final name or a working title remains unconfirmed.

"First of all, we don't call it Suicide Squad 2 'cause it's a total reboot, so it's The Suicide Squad and I think people should be extremely excited about it," Safran said.

Gunn, the Guardians of the Galaxy writer and director who was recently re-instated for Vol. 3, will write and direct The Suicide Squad. Regarding the script, Safran said, "It's everything you would hope from a James Gunn script and I think that says a lot and that promises a lot and I know that we will deliver a lot."

The intriguing angle of this story is that, now that he's back making Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Gunn is directing movies for both DC and Marvel. Safran said he and Gunn agree that the Marvel vs. DC rivalry is "absurd," and everything is going to be just fine.

"You know what I love about James directing for both Marvel and DC is he has always espoused the view that that which unites comic book and superhero lovers is much greater than that which divides us," Safran said. "Because, there's always been this Marvel/DC rivalry, which he has said, and I agree, is absurd. There's room for everybody and certainly that which unites us all is far greater than that which divides us, so hopefully they'll see that you can be both a Marvel and a DC fan and the world won't spin off its axis."

It's not exactly what what the description "total reboot" means for The Suicide Squad 2. What we do know is that Idris Elba will play Deadshot in the sequel, taking over the role from Will Smith.

The 2016 Suicide Squad received mixed reviews, but it was a massive commercial success. It made more than $746 million worldwide, and it won an Oscar for Makeup and Hairstyling.

The Suicide Squad comes to theatres in August 2021. A recent intriguing report says the film will add a number of characters from the DC Comics world, including Ratcatcher, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, and Peacemaker. There's not yet a date for when Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy 3 will release.