If Warner Bros. wants to make a movie based on lesser-known DC Comics villains without Superman or Batman, the studio is going to need some major star power in the lead roles. Obviously, since the film is coming out in two years, casting has to get moving, so a shortlist is already in the works.
Sources for Deadline report that Tom Hardy, who starred as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, is interested and even close to joining. Will Smith, who just shot Focus for the studio, is ready to do so as well.
Meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter’s sources say that the studio is also interested in Ryan Gosling. He has a history there as well, having starred in Gangster Squad and Crazy Stupid Love. Unfortunately, Marvel is also looking at him for Doctor Strange, so WB will have to move fast if they really want him.
Later, Deadline also reported that Margot Robbie - who starred in Focus with Smith - is also being looked at for Suicide Squad.
It is rumored that the list of villains Warner Bros. and DC wish to use for the film are Deadshot, Blockbuster, Multiplex, Jaculi, Vixen, Mindboggler and Harkness. David Ayer, whose Fury opens this weekend, is directing.
Suicide Squad opens on Aug. 5, 2016. It will be the first movie to follow Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.
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