Following the release of The Suicide Squad, Idris Elba explained that he was never going to be Will Smith’s replacement as Deadshot, despite reports to the contrary after it was revealed that he’d entered talks to board James Gunn’s hybrid of sequel and reboot.
No offense to Elba — who does a great job in the role and finally gets a blockbuster vehicle worthy of his talents — but the movie wouldn’t have turned out too differently had his Bloodsport been swapped out for Smith’s Floyd Lawton. It’s almost as if the script had the former Fresh Prince in mind, before scheduling issues put paid to any chance of a return.
Of course, the door isn’t closed on Deadshot returning to DCEU, even if it’s been years since Smith talked about future outings as the comic book sharpshooter. However, we hear from our sources — the same ones who told us Ben Kingsley would appear in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings long before it was confirmed — that Warner Bros is keeping a spot open for the star on the Secret Six.
DC’s other covert unit has been regularly rumored for a live-action debut, but hasn’t gained noteworthy traction as of yet. While there’s no word on whether Smith would entertain another ensemble effort, it’s not as though there aren’t plenty of other characters to fill the Secret Six roster should he say no.