Suicide Squad 2 Shoots in 2017, Will Smith & Director David Ayer Returning?

Suicide Squad 2is already in pre-production. And it will start shooting in 2017. At least, that’s the word coming from sources close toWarner Bros. and DC. Apparently, the studio is so happy with the advanced cut ofSuicide Squad, which hits theaters in August, that they are wasting no time in getting the sequel in motion.

Yesterday, it was announced that Warner Bros. is currently in negotiations withSuicide SquaddirectorDavid Ayerfor anEnd of Watch-style crime thriller titled Bright, which will reteam him with Deadshot,Will Smith. The twist here is that the fantasy adventure is set in a world where Orcs and Fairies live with humans. Buried in that initial report fromVarietyis the news that Warner Bros. is very eager to shoot Bright before the end of 2016, because they want to get bothDavid AyerandWill Smithback on set for Suicide Squad 2.

Word is that Warner Bros. executives have been flabbergasted by the earlySuicide Squadfootage, which brings all ofDC Comics' most iconic super villains together for an impossible mission. The studio is currently seeking out a writer, asDavid Ayer, who penned the first movie, will have his hands full with Bright. Says Variety’s Justin Kroll.

“Insiders say early footage has WB excited about SQUAD so much so that they are beginning to develop a sequel even though one isn’t dated. Been hearing for awhile the studio wants this sequel up as quickly as possible and that they also want all players back including Ayer. Hearing studio is already looking for writer since Ayer will be busy with BRIGHT.”

While it hasn’t been confirmed by Warner Bros. and DC, the plan is to have Suicide Squad 2 in theaters for summer 2018. DC also has two other movies lined-up for 2018, withThe Flashcoming in March, andAquamanarriving in July of that year. It is speculated that Suicide Squad 2 may steal away one of these release slots, or it may be positioned as a holiday movie, opening later in the year.

The all-star ensemble cast forSuicide SquadincludesWill Smith(Deadshot),Margot Robbie(Harley Quinn),Jared Leto(The Joker),Jai Courtney(Boomerang),Joel Kinnaman(Rick Flagg),Cara Delevingne(Enchantress),Viola Davis(Amanda Waller), Karen Fukuhara (Katana)Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje(Killer Croc), andJay Hernandez(El Diablo). At this tiime, no other returning cast members have been mentioned aside fromWill Smith. With such a dangerous mission ahead of them this summer, it’s highly likely that one or more of these original cast members won’t be around for a sequel. What do you think? Does this make you even more excited forSuicide Squad?