View source for Suicide Squad (2016 film)


{{Use American English|date=August 2019}}

{{Infobox film
| name           = Suicide Squad
| image          = Suicide Squad (2016 film) poster.png
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| alt            = A colorful collage of the characters, in the shape of an explosive mushroom cloud
| director       = [[David Ayer]]
| writer         = David Ayer{{efn|The footage shot during the film's principal photography was written by David Ayer but the footage shot during the films reshoots/additional photography (described as being a higher amount than the average for a film<ref>{{cite web|url= https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-weekend-box-office-opening-will-smith-margot-robbie-1201799046/|last=D'Alessandro|first=Anthony|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|title=reshoots(some say that cost the studio an extra $22M)|date=August 8, 2016|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref>) was written by [[Geoff Johns]].<ref>{{cite tweet|user=davidayermovies|number=1491467753722503173|author-link=David Ayer|first=David|last=Ayer|title=Just me. Johns had a hand in the reshoot pages.|date=February 9, 2022|access-date=June 7, 2023}}</ref> Ayer retained sole writing credit for the finished film.}}
| based_on       = {{Based on|[[Lists of DC Comics characters|Characters]]|from [[DC Comics|DC]]<!-- Full credit in the film: "Based on characters from DC" --><!--Please do NOT add here the creator credits for the Suicide Squad or the individual characters. Those are NOT "Based on" credits.-->}}
| producer       = {{Plainlist|
* [[Charles Roven]]
* [[Richard Suckle]]
}}
| starring       = {{Indented plainlist|
<!-- BASED ON THE NAMES APPEARING ON THE POSTER, DO NOT CHANGE -->
* [[Will Smith]] 
* [[Jared Leto]] 
* [[Margot Robbie]]
* [[Joel Kinnaman]]
* [[Viola Davis]]
* [[Jai Courtney]]
* [[Jay Hernandez]]
* [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]]
* [[Ike Barinholtz]]
* [[Scott Eastwood]]
* [[Cara Delevingne]]
}}
| cinematography = [[Roman Vasyanov]]
| editing        = [[John Gilroy (film editor)|John Gilroy]]
| music          = [[Steven Price (composer)|Steven Price]]
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]<ref name="BFI"/><ref name="AFI"/>
* [[DC Films]]<ref name="AFI"/>
* [[RatPac-Dune Entertainment]]<ref name="BFI"/>
* [[Atlas Entertainment]]<ref name="BFI"/><ref name="AFI"/>
}}
| distributor    = Warner Bros. Pictures<ref name="BFI"/><ref name="AFI"/>
| released       = {{Film date|2016|8|1|[[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]]|2016|8|5|United States}}
| runtime        = 123 minutes<!--Theatrical running time: 2:02:44--><ref name="Runtime"/>
| country        = United States<ref name="BFI" />
| language       = English
| budget         = $175 million<ref name="LATimes">{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-ca-mn-suicide-squad-comic-con-feature-20160719-snap-story.html |title=The pressures behind 'Suicide Squad,' the DC Comics movie that Warner Bros. needs to work, and work big |first=Josh |last=Rottenberg |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=August 1, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016}}</ref><ref name="NUM">{{cite the numbers|id=Suicide-Squad#tab=summary|title=Suicide Squad (2016)|access-date=December 24, 2021}}</ref><ref name="BOM">{{Cite Box Office Mojo |id=1386697 |access-date=December 14, 2025}}</ref>
| gross          = $749.2 million<ref name="NUM"/><ref name="BOM"/>
}}

'''''Suicide Squad''''' is a 2016 American [[superhero film]] based on [[Suicide Squad|the supervillain/anti-hero team]] from [[DC Comics]]. It is the third installment in the [[DC Extended Universe]] (DCEU). The film was written and directed by [[David Ayer]] and stars an [[ensemble cast]] including [[Will Smith]], [[Jared Leto]], [[Margot Robbie]], [[Joel Kinnaman]], [[Viola Davis]], [[Jai Courtney]], [[Jay Hernandez]], [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]], [[Ike Barinholtz]], [[Scott Eastwood]], and [[Cara Delevingne]]. In the film, a secret government agency led by [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]] recruits imprisoned supervillains to execute dangerous black ops missions and save the world from a powerful threat in exchange for reduced sentences.

By February 2009, a Suicide Squad film was in development at [[Warner Bros. Entertainment|Warner Bros.]] Ayer signed on to write and direct in September 2014, and by October the casting process had begun. [[Principal photography]] began in [[Toronto]] on April 13, 2015, with additional filming in [[Chicago]], and ended in August that year.

''Suicide Squad'' premiered in [[New York City]] on August 1, 2016, and was released in the United States on August 5 by [[Warner Bros. Pictures]]. It grossed $749 million on a budget of $175 million, becoming the [[2016 in film#Highest-grossing films|tenth-highest-grossing film of 2016]], and received mostly negative reviews<!--Per [[WP:FILMLEAD]], the critical reception should reflect an overall consensus explicitly summarized by one or more reliable sources.--> from critics. Ayer himself disowned the film after its release, claiming that extensive studio interference had ruined his vision.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/david-ayer-disowns-suicide-squad-the-studio-cut-is-not-my-movie/|title=David Ayer disowns Suicide Squad: "The studio cut is not my movie"|first=Gem|last=Seddon|date=30 July 2021|website=GamesRadar+}}</ref> It won an [[Academy Award]] for [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling|Best Makeup and Hairstyling]] at the [[89th Academy Awards]], making it the only DCEU film to have won an Academy Award, and received [[List of accolades received by Suicide Squad|numerous other accolades]]. It was followed by a [[Spin-off (media)|spin-off]] film, ''[[Birds of Prey (2020 film)|Birds of Prey]]'' (2020), and a sequel, ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' (2021).

==Plot==
In the aftermath of <!-- do not link this to Batman v Superman because it's an easter egg link-->[[Superman (DC Extended Universe)|Superman]]'s death,{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'' (2016)}}<!--be explicit, see WP:EASTEREGG--> intelligence officer [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]] convinces the U.S. government to greenlight [[Suicide Squad|Task Force X]], a response team of criminals and [[supervillain]]s. The team will be used to combat [[metahuman]] threats, under Waller's control via [[nanite]] bombs implanted in each criminal's neck, which can be remotely detonated if they try to rebel or escape. If successful, they will have their sentences shortened.

Dr. June Moone, an American archaeologist, becomes [[spirit possession|possessed]] by a witch called [[June Moone (DC Extended Universe)|Enchantress]]. Waller can control Enchantress by seizing her magical heart, which wounds her if it is struck. Waller's subordinate Colonel [[Rick Flag (DC Extended Universe)|Rick Flag]] is in love with Moone, and is made a lead member of Task Force X. However, Enchantress betrays Waller, conquering Midway City, transforming humans into monsters, and summoning her brother [[Incubus (DC Extended Universe)|Incubus]] to destroy mankind.
 
Task Force X is formed to stop Enchantress, using six inmates from [[Belle Reve (DC Comics)|Belle Reve]] penitentiary. The roster consists of hitman [[Floyd Lawton (DC Extended Universe)|Deadshot]], who wants to reunite with his daughter Zoe; [[Harley Quinn (DC Extended Universe)|Harley Quinn]], a volatile and crazed former psychiatrist-turned-girlfriend of Gotham crime lord [[Joker (DC Extended Universe)|Joker]]; Australian [[boomerang]]-wielding thief [[George Harkness (DC Extended Universe)|Captain Boomerang]]; pyrokinetic ex-gangster [[Chato Santana (DC Extended Universe)|El Diablo]]; mutant cannibal [[Waylon Jones (DC Extended Universe)|Killer Croc]]; and rope-climber mercenary [[Christopher Weiss (DC Extended Universe)|Slipknot]]. The team is led by Flag and joined by his associate [[Tatsu Yamashiro (DC Extended Universe)|Katana]], a Japanese swordswoman. Waller and Flag deliberately hide the latter's relationship with Moone from the team. 
 
Upon arrival in Midway City, the team's [[helicopter]] is shot down, forcing them to travel on foot. Boomerang convinces Slipknot to take off, thinking that the bombs are a ruse, but Flag kills Slipknot by activating the bombs when he tries to escape; satisfying Boomerang's curiosity of the bombs' legitimacy. Scaling a [[skyscraper]] and fighting their way through waves of heavily mutated soldiers under Enchantress' control, the team discover the mission target was Waller herself.
 
As Waller and the squad await helicopter extraction, they are attacked by Joker, who learned of Harley's predicament. With tech stolen from an [[A.R.G.U.S.]] laboratory, Joker disables Harley's bomb, and helps her escape. Waller shoots down Joker's helicopter, though Harley survives and rejoins the squad, believing Joker is dead. Enchantress captures Waller to regain her heart. Deadshot finds Waller's top-secret files and discovers Flag's relationship with Moone. The team abandon Flag, sharing a drink in an abandoned bar, where El Diablo reveals his powers and criminal lifestyle led to the deaths of his family. Flag relieves the squad of their mission, but realizing they have the opportunity to prove themselves, the group set out to save the city.
 
The squad attack Enchantress, while Killer Croc and Flag's platoon of [[Navy SEAL]]s plant a bomb beneath the subway to kill Incubus. El Diablo embraces his pyrokinesis, sacrificing himself to maneuver and keep Incubus in the right spot. Enchantress invites the squad to join her, and Harley pretends to be tempted to get close enough to cut out Enchantress's heart. Flag crushes her heart, killing her and releasing Moone. Waller deducts ten years off each squad member's sentence and fulfill their requests (except for Boomerang, who is instead detained). Joker, who is still alive, breaks into Belle Reve and rescues Harley.
 
In a mid-credits scene, Waller meets with [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Bruce Wayne]], who agrees to protect her from the legal consequences of the events in Midway City in exchange for government files on the growing [[Metahuman|metahuman community]]. He reveals his plans to contact the heroes in the file, including [[Barry Allen (DC Extended Universe)|Flash]] and [[Arthur Curry (DC Extended Universe)|Aquaman]], in order to build his own superhero team.{{efn|The story continues in ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' (2017) and its 2021 [[Zack Snyder's Justice League|director's cut]]}}{{efn|The team is identified off-screen as the [[Justice League]].}} She advises him to stop working late nights, implying she knows Bruce is Batman. In response, he tells Waller to shut down Task Force X or he and his "friends" will do it for her.

==Cast==
{{further|List of DC Extended Universe cast members|Characters of the DC Extended Universe}}
[[File:Suicide Squad by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|Cast of ''Suicide Squad'' at the 2016 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]. From left to right: Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, Scott Eastwood, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jai Courtney, Jay Hernandez, Cara Delevingne, and Adam Beach]]

* [[Will Smith]] as [[Floyd Lawton (DC Extended Universe)|Floyd Lawton / Deadshot]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1536049/new-suicide-squad-video-shines-the-spotlight-on-will-smiths-deadshot |title=New Suicide Squad Video Shines The Spotlight On Will Smith's Deadshot |first=Adam |last=Holmes |publisher=[[CinemaBlend]]|date=July 19, 2016 }}</ref><br />An expert marksman and assassin.<ref name="CastVariety"/><ref name="CastTelegraph"/> A mercenary by day and a concerned father by night, Deadshot is a conflicted criminal who enjoys the hunt but still tries to do right by his young daughter.<ref name="EWProfiles">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/gallery/suicide-squad-character-photos |title='Suicide Squad': Meet the Roster of Rogues |magazine=[[Ew.com|Entertainment Weekly]] |date=July 8, 2016 |access-date=July 10, 2016}}</ref> Smith was simultaneously offered to appear in ''Suicide Squad'' and ''[[Independence Day: Resurgence]]'', the sequel to ''[[Independence Day (1996 film)|Independence Day]]'' which he starred in. Smith opted to portray Deadshot, saying that the choice was "nothing about the qualities of the movie—but the choice of trying to go forward versus clinging and clawing backwards."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stolworthy |first1=Jacob |title=Will Smith explains why he chose Suicide Squad over Independence Day 2 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/will-smith-explains-why-he-chose-suicide-squad-over-independence-day-2-a7471771.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/will-smith-explains-why-he-chose-suicide-squad-over-independence-day-2-a7471771.html |archive-date=May 25, 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=January 7, 2018 |work=[[Independent.co.uk|The Independent]] |date=December 13, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Jared Leto]] as [[Joker (DC Extended Universe)|The Joker]]:<br />A psychopathic crime boss and the nemesis of [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]]. Leto described his role as "nearly [[Shakespeare]]an" and a "beautiful disaster of a character;" about portraying the villain, he stated, "I took a pretty deep dive. But this was a unique opportunity and I couldn't imagine doing it another way. It was fun, playing these [[Mind games|psychological games]]. But at the same time it was very painful." Leto [[Breaking character|never broke character]] throughout filming, with Smith going as far as stating he never met him. In preparation for the role, Leto spent his time alone, listened to [[gospel music]] from the 1920s—commenting he senses "Joker may be much older than people think"—and read literature on [[shamanism]]. Influences for the character's appearance include the work of [[Alejandro Jodorowsky]].<ref name="Empire20152">{{cite news |title=Superbad |last=de Semlyen |first=Nick |date=December 2015 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |pages=64–73 }}</ref> The Joker's tattoos were added by Ayer, who believed it gave the character a modernized gangster look.<ref name="JokerEWMental">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/15/jared-leto-joker-suicide-squad |title=Jared Leto dives deep to play The Joker in Suicide Squad |magazine=[[Ew.com|Entertainment Weekly]] |date=April 15, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2016 |last=Sperling |first=Nicole |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160417113453/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/04/15/jared-leto-joker-suicide-squad |url-status=live |archive-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref> [[David Bowie]] was also cited as an influence on the character by Leto.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insider.com/who-inspired-jared-letos-joker-in-suicide-squad-2016-8|title=A music icon inspired Jared Leto's Joker in 'Suicide Squad'|first=Meryl|last=Gottlieb|website=Insider}}</ref>
* [[Margot Robbie]] as [[Harley Quinn (DC Extended Universe)|Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.superherohype.com/news/378543-harley-quinn-suicide-squad-promo-gives-you-the-giggles#/slide/1 |title=Harley Quinn Suicide Squad Promo Gives You the Giggles |first=Max |last=Evry |date=July 20, 2016 |publisher=superherohype.com}}</ref><br />A former [[psychiatrist]] at [[Arkham Asylum]] seduced by the Joker into becoming his crazed partner-in-crime.<ref name="CastVariety"/><ref name="CastTelegraph"/> Producer [[Richard Suckle]] described the character as, "a fan fave. Funny, crazy, scary. ... You can't come up with enough adjectives to describe all the different things you see her do."<ref name="EmpireNewImages">{{cite web |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/new-suicide-squad-images-killer-croc-amanda-waller/ |title=New Suicide Squad Images: Killer Croc And Amanda Waller |last=De Semlyen |first=Phil |date=October 29, 2015 |id=Accessed October 30, 2015 |work=[[Empireonline.com|Empire]]}}</ref> Robbie described Quinn as one of the Squad's most manipulative members and her relationship with Joker as "incredibly dysfunctional", adding that Quinn is, "mad about him—like, literally, mad. She's crazy. But she loves him. And it's a really unhealthy, dysfunctional relationship. But an addictive one."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/herocomplex/la-et-hc-margot-robbie-on-harley-quinn-20160412-story.html |title=Margot Robbie explains why Harley Quinn is the most manipulative member of the 'Suicide Squad' |work=[[Latimes.com|Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=April 17, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Joel Kinnaman]] as [[Rick Flag (DC Extended Universe)|Rick Flag Jr.]]:<ref name="FlagSpelling"/><br />The heroic, military leader of the Task Force X. A [[United States Military Academy|West Point]] graduate and [[Special Forces (United States Army)|Green Beret]] colonel who leads the Suicide Squad in the field. He is all business and executes Amanda Waller's orders but does not always agree with her goals or her methods.<ref name="EWProfiles"/> [[Tom Hardy]] was previously cast in the role but was forced to drop out because of scheduling conflicts.<ref name="CastTelegraph"/><ref name="CastCollider"/>
* [[Viola Davis]] as [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]]:<ref name="CastWaller" /><br />The government official who gives out the Squad's orders.<ref name="EmpireNewImages" /> Ambitious and devious, she has big plans and intends to let no [[metahuman]] or military protocol get in her way.<ref name="EWProfiles" /> Davis stated she is fascinated by the character, singling out her psychology and strength and describing her as a "powerful black woman, hard, ready to pick up a gun and shoot anyone at will."<ref name="CastWaller2" /> She described Waller as "relentless in her villainy" and noted that her powers are "her intelligence and her complete lack of guilt."<ref name="EmpireNewImages" /><ref name="Empire2015" />
* [[Jai Courtney]] as [[George Harkness (DC Extended Universe)|Digger Harkness / Captain Boomerang]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqwsRrEf4O8 |title=Suicide Squad – Boomerang Promo Clip |publisher=YouTube |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref><br />A thief who uses deadly boomerangs,<ref name="CastVariety"/><ref name="CastTelegraph"/> described as rugged, unpredictable and mouthy.<ref name="EWProfiles"/> About his role, Courtney stated, "he is an absolute [[bogan]], in the purest sense. [[David Ayer]]'s first instruction was, 'find your inner dirtbag'."<ref name="Empire2015"/>
* [[Karen Fukuhara]] as [[Tatsu Yamashiro (DC Extended Universe)|Tatsu Yamashiro / Katana]]:<br />A volunteer heroic member of the Task Force X, who acts as Rick Flag's bodyguard. She is a widow and an expert martial artist and swordswoman. Katana mourns her husband's death and wields the Soultaker Blade, a mystical weapon capable of trapping the souls of its victims; the artifact that holds her husband's soul.<ref name="CastTelegraph"/><ref name="EWProfiles"/><ref name="CastCollider"/> As she is not a criminal, she does not have a micro-bomb implant. Fukuhara stated that Katana "has morals and codes. She can also slice through hundreds of people without taking a breath."<ref name="Empire2015">{{cite news |first=Nick |last=de Semlyen |title=Superbad |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |pages=64–73 |date=December 2015 }}</ref>
* [[Jay Hernandez]] as [[Chato Santana (DC Extended Universe)|Chato Santana / El Diablo]]:<ref name="CastCollider"/><ref name="Empire2015"/><br />A former [[Los Angeles]] gang member who has [[metahuman]] powers that allow him to summon flames, and transform himself into a monstrous fire entity.<ref name="Empire2015"/> He has squelched his fire-conjuring powers to a solitary flame as penance for the horrors he inflicted on those he loved.<ref name="EWProfiles"/> Hernandez set his character apart from his teammates as he "just wants to stay out of the fight," while "most of [the Squad members] are happy to get out there and kill people."<ref name="Empire2015"/>
* [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]] as [[Waylon Jones (DC Extended Universe)|Waylon Jones / Killer Croc]]:<br />A cannibalistic metahuman criminal who suffers from a regressive [[atavism]] which caused him to develop reptilian features.<ref name="CastTelegraph"/><ref name="CastCroc"/> Being a meta-human, he possesses near superhuman strength, high endurance, and the capacity to breathe underwater. His skin allows him to withstand high caliber weapons and skin abrasion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.argus-gov.com/ |title=A.R.G.U.S. |publisher=[[Warner Bros.]] |access-date=January 5, 2018}}</ref> Akinnuoye-Agbaje described the character as "a cannibal with rage issues".<ref name="EmpireNewImages"/>
* [[Ike Barinholtz]] as Capt. Hunter Griggs:<ref name="CastVarietyMisc"/><br />An officer at Belle Reve's Special Security Barracks, the black site where the government imprisons the squad.
* [[Scott Eastwood]] as "GQ" Edwards:<ref name="CastVarietyMisc"/><br />A [[United States Navy SEALs|Navy SEAL]] Lieutenant who assists Flag during the squad's mission. After working with actor [[Shia LaBeouf]] on ''[[Fury (2014 film)|Fury]]'', Ayer originally sought him out for the role, but the studio was not interested in the actor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/shia-labeouf-drinking-steven-spielberg-american-honey-1201851776/ |title=Shia LaBeouf on Alcohol, Steven Spielberg and 'American Honey' |work=[[Variety.com|Variety]] |last=Setoodeh |first=Ramin |date=September 6, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Adam Beach]] as [[Christopher Weiss (DC Extended Universe)|Christopher Weiss / Slipknot]]:<br />A man who can climb anything.<ref name="CastSlipKnot"/>
* [[Cara Delevingne]] as [[June Moone (DC Extended Universe)|Dr. June Moone / Enchantress]]:<br />An archaeologist who is possessed by an ancient evil force that transforms her into a host of a powerful sorceress, when summoned.<ref name="CastVariety"/><ref name="EmpireNewImages"/><ref name="Empire2015"/> Unleashed after a long period of imprisonment, the entity draws the attention of Waller.<ref name="Empire2015"/> Delevingne described Moone as "an adventure-seeker who's always wanted some excitement" and Enchantress as "a feral being".<ref name="Empire2015"/> Originally, the film was going to feature the revelation that Enchantress was being controlled by [[Steppenwolf (DC Extended Universe)|Steppenwolf]], the main antagonist of ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' (2017), but this was scrapped after the ''Justice League'' story changed.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mancuso |first1=Vinnie |title=Suicide Squad Originally Included Steppenwolf and Parademons|url=https://collider.com/suicide-squad-steppenwolf-original-plans/#images |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=November 25, 2018}}</ref>

Additionally, [[Ben Affleck]] and [[Ezra Miller]] reprise their respective roles of [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Bruce Wayne / Batman]] and [[Barry Allen (DC Extended Universe)|Barry Allen / The Flash]] from ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]''; with Affleck's appearance being an uncredited supporting role and Miller's appearance being a cameo role.<ref name="Batman-Suicide-Squad-confirmed">{{cite news |first1=Brian |last1=Truitt |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/01/10/batman-v-superman-suicide-squad-2016-superhero-movies/78249180/ |title=2016 brings Batman, Superman and the 'Dawn' of a new superhero universe |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |date=January 10, 2016 |access-date=January 10, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Ezra-The-Flash-Confirmed">{{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title='Suicide Squad': Key DC Character To Appear |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/suicide-squad-key-dc-character-914995 |access-date=July 28, 2016 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/29/another-major-dc-character-to-appear-in-suicide-squad |title=Another Major DC Character to Appear in 'Suicide Squad' |website=[[IGN]] |last1=Reilly |first1=Luke|date=July 29, 2016 }}</ref> Alain Chanoine portrays [[Incubus (DC Extended Universe)|Incubus]], the brother of Enchantress, who possesses the body of a businessman in Midway City in order to have a physical form.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/05/suicide-squads-second-mystery-villain-incubus-revealed |title=Suicide Squad's Mysterious Second Villain, Incubus, Revealed |website=[[IGN]] |last=Vejvoda |first=Jim |date=August 5, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> [[Jim Parrack]] and [[Common (rapper)|Common]] appear as the Joker's henchmen, [[Jonny Frost (DC Extended Universe)|Jonny Frost]] and [[Monster T]], respectively.<ref name="Empire2015"/><ref name="Monster T is Tattooed Man">{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/DavidAyerMovies/status/1263976708622835712 |title=It's a long scene and Joker intimidated him into killing himself. |user=DavidAyerMovies |last=Ayer |first=David |number=1263976708622835712 |date=May 22, 2020 |access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/common-joins-suicide-squad-790824 |title=Common Joins 'Suicide Squad' (Exclusive) |last=Kit |first=Borys |magazine=The Wrap |date=April 22, 2015 |access-date=April 27, 2015}}</ref> [[David Harbour]] portrays government official [[Dexter Tolliver]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-david-harbour-dexter-tolliver-comic-villain/|title=Suicide Squad: David Harbour's Dexter Tolliver Is A Comic Villain|date=January 21, 2020|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref> [[Alex Meraz]] portrays Navy SEAL Gomez, and Matt Baram portrays Dr. Van Criss, a scientist at Wayne Enterprises' branch Van Criss Laboratories.<ref name="CastVarietyMisc"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/04/29/alex-meraz-david-harbour-join-suicide-squad-viola-davis-amanda-w/ |title=Alex Meraz & David Harbour Join Suicide Squad; Viola Davis' Amanda Waller Haircut |last=Jayson |first=Jay |date=April 28, 2015 |publisher=[[ComicBook.com]] |access-date=April 29, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/suicide-squad-alex-meraz-twilight-1201482900/ |title='Twilight' actor joins 'Suicide Squad' |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=April 28, 2015 |magazine=Variety |access-date=July 23, 2024 |archive-date=May 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150501012738/https://variety.com/2015/film/news/suicide-squad-alex-meraz-twilight-1201482900/ |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Shailyn Pierre-Dixon]] plays [[Zoe Lawton (DC Extended Universe)|Zoe Lawton]], Deadshot's daughter, and Corina Calderon plays Grace Santana, Diablo's wife.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/08/07/suicide-squads-jim-parrack-seemingly-confirmed-as-johnny-frost/ |title=Suicide Squad's Jim Parrack Seemingly Confirmed As Johnny Frost |first=Russ |last=Burlingame |date=August 7, 2015 |publisher=[[ComicBook.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/movies/canadian-shailyn-pierre-dixon-on-playing-deadshots-daughter-in-suicide-squad-388915841.html |title=Canadian Shailyn Pierre-Dixon on playing Zoe Lawton, Deadshot's daughter in 'Suicide Squad' |newspaper=Winnipeg Free Press |last=Ahearn |first=Victoria |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> [[David Ayer]], writer and director of the film, makes a cameo appearance as a Belle Reve officer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://batman-news.com/2016/11/15/david-ayer-suicide-squad-cameo/|title=David Ayer has a cool cameo in 'Suicide Squad: Extended Cut'|website=batman-news|last=Begley|first=Chris|date=November 15, 2016|access-date=August 14, 2020}}</ref>

== Production ==
=== Development ===
The film was announced in 2009 with [[Dan Lin]] as producer, Stephen Gilchrist as co-producer and [[Justin Marks (writer)|Justin Marks]] as the screenwriter.<ref>Kit, Borys. [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/scribe-suicide-squad-pact-79891 "Scribe In for 'Suicide Squad' Pact"]. ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]''. February 25, 2009.</ref><ref name="Suicideannounced">{{cite magazine |last1=Mcnary |first1=Dave |title=Warner Bros. sets up 'Suicide Squad' |url=https://variety.com/2009/film/features/warner-bros-sets-up-suicide-squad-1118000590/ |magazine=Variety |access-date=September 18, 2016|date=February 26, 2009 }}</ref> [[David Ayer]] signed on to direct and write the film in September 2014.<ref>{{cite news |title=Warner Bros. Circling David Ayer for DC Comics' 'Suicide Squad' (Exclusive) |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/warner-bros-circling-david-ayer-for-adaptation-of-dc-comics-suicide-squad-1201308883/ |access-date=September 19, 2014 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 19, 2014}}</ref> He later described the film to ''[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]'' as "[[The Dirty Dozen|''Dirty Dozen'']] with supervillains".<ref>{{cite news |last1=de Semlyen |first1=Phil |title=David Ayer Talks DC's Suicide Squad |url=https://www.empireonline.com/news/story.asp?NID=42521 |access-date=October 21, 2014 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |date=October 20, 2014}}</ref> While Ayer's first script originally included [[Steppenwolf (character)|Steppenwolf]] as a force behind [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]], this had to change and Ayer had six weeks to rewrite the screenplay, given the release date was already set.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1636525631528919041|user=DavidAyerMovies|title=The script issue was having Steppenwolfe and the Parademons stripped out prior to production. Enchantress was under the control of a mother box and opening a Portal to Apokalypse. This was all cut early in prep. That was a hard loss.|first=David|last=Ayer|date=March 16, 2023|access-date=March 18, 2023}}</ref> This was later misinterpreted as Ayer having written the entire screenplay in six weeks.<ref name=thr>{{cite magazine |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/suicide-squads-secret-drama-rushed-916693 |title='Suicide Squad's' Secret Drama: Rushed Production, Competing Cuts, High Anxiety |date=August 3, 2016 |first=Kim |last=Masters |access-date=August 16, 2016}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
In October 2014, Warner Bros. had initially offered [[Ryan Gosling]], [[Tom Hardy]], [[Margot Robbie]], and [[Will Smith]] roles in the film.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Ryan Gosling Meets on 'Houdini,' 'Doctor Strange': Will He Finally Take on a Big Franchise? |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ryan-gosling-meets-houdini-doctor-740806/ |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=October 15, 2014 |quote=Sources say that Will Smith and Tom Hardy also are fielding offers. Warners had no comment.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Suicide Squad Targets Ryan Gosling, Will Smith, Margot Robbie and Tom Hardy! |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124067 |last=Lesnick |first=Silas |access-date=October 16, 2014 |publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]] |date=October 15, 2014 |archive-date=October 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019183720/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=124067 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November, [[TheWrap]] revealed that [[Jared Leto]] was in talks for the role of [[Joker (character)|Joker]], for which Gosling was originally sought.<ref>{{cite magazine |date=November 7, 2014 |last1=Sneider |first1=Jeff |title=Jared Leto Eyed to Play The Joker in WB's 'Suicide Squad' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jared-leto-eyed-to-play-the-joker-in-wbs-suicide-squad-exclusive/ |magazine=[[TheWrap]] |quote=Ryan Gosling was initially sought to play The Joker but he was unwilling to sign a deal with options for multiple movies, according to one insider. |access-date=April 1, 2022 }}</ref> The main cast was announced by Warner Brothers in December 2014 with Smith, Hardy, Leto, Robbie, [[Jai Courtney]], and [[Cara Delevingne]] along with their respective roles as Deadshot, [[Rick Flag]], Joker, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, and [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]].<ref name="DecemberConfirmed">{{cite magazine |last1=Sneider |first1=Jeff |title=Will Smith, Tom Hardy, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie Set for 'Suicide Squad' |url=https://www.thewrap.com/will-smith-tom-hardy-jared-leto-margot-robbie-set-for-suicide-squad/ |access-date=February 19, 2015 |magazine=TheWrap |date=December 2, 2014}}</ref> [[Emma Roberts]] was considered for Harley Quinn before Robbie was cast.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thethings.com/emma-roberts-turned-down-the-role-of-harley-quinn-before-margot-robbie/|title=Margot Robbie Got The Role As Harley Quinn But Why Did Emma Roberts Turn It Down?|first=Bea|last=Smith|date=15 October 2022|website=TheThings}}</ref> The studio was also considering [[Viola Davis]], [[Octavia Spencer]], and [[Oprah Winfrey]] for the role of [[Amanda Waller]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Suicide Squad Cast: Jared Leto as Joker, Will Smith is Deadshot |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/suicide-squad-cast-revealed-jared-leto-to-play-the-joker-will-smith-is-deadshot-1201368867/ |access-date=February 19, 2015 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 2, 2014}}</ref> Following the announcement of the cast, comic book writer [[John Ostrander]] (creator of the modern incarnation of the [[Suicide Squad#Suicide Squad (vol. 1)|Suicide Squad]]) talked with ''[[Comic Book Resources]]'' about the casting, saying, "I have no problem with the casting... what I am really impressed by with all of the casting is that they are getting some very good actors to play these parts."<ref>{{cite web |title="Suicide Squad" Creator Weighs In on Film Casting, Concept |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=57562 |last=Renaud |first=Jeffrey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141231202915/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=57562 |archive-date=December 31, 2014 |access-date=December 9, 2014 |website=[[Comic Book Resources]] |date=December 5, 2014}}</ref>

In January 2015, Davis expressed interest in playing Amanda Waller during an interview, saying "I'm fascinated by [Waller]."<ref name="CastWaller2"/> Meanwhile, Tom Hardy had to drop out as Rick Flag because of scheduling issues with his film ''[[The Revenant (2015 film)|The Revenant]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/01/15/tom-hardy-drops-out-of-suicide-squad |title=Tom Hardy Drops Out of Suicide Squad |date=January 15, 2015 |last=Collura |first=Scott |work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Hardy later stated that he was disappointed that he had to leave the role as he liked the script.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://collider.com/suicide-squad-tom-hardy-reveals-why-he-dropped-out-of-dc-film/ | title=Suicide Squad: Tom Hardy Reveals Why He Dropped Out of the DC Film | website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] | date=May 4, 2015 }}</ref> [[Jake Gyllenhaal]], who worked with Ayer on ''[[End of Watch]]'', was then given an offer to replace Hardy as Flag, but he declined.<ref>{{cite magazine |first=Justin |last=Kroll |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jake-gyllenhaal-suicide-squad-rick-flag-1201411414/ |title='Suicide Squad': Jake Gyllenhaal Passes on Rick Flag Role |magazine=Variety |date=January 21, 2015 |access-date=May 17, 2015}}</ref> The studio was then looking at [[Joel Kinnaman]] to play the role.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/jake-gyllenhaal-suicide-squad-rick-flag-1201411414/ |title=Jake Gyllenhaal Passes on 'Suicide Squad' |date=January 21, 2015 |last=Kroll |first=Justin |magazine=Variety |access-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.quirkybyte.com/blog/2017/02/actor-directing-suicide-squad-2/ |title=Will This Controversial Actor Actually Be Directing Suicide Squad 2? |publisher=QuirkyByte |last=Fanai |first=Amy |date=February 17, 2017 }}</ref><ref name=KinnamanTalks>{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/joel-kinnaman-eyed-to-replace-tom-hardy-in-wbs-suicide-squad/ |title=Joel Kinnaman to Replace Tom Hardy as Rick Flag in WB's 'Suicide Squad' |publisher=[[Thewrap.com|The Wrap]] |last1=Sneider |first1=Jeff |last2=Ge |first2=Linda |date=February 13, 2015}}</ref> In February, [[Jay Hernandez]] joined the cast and Kinnaman was also confirmed to play Flag.<ref name=HernandezKinnamanCast>{{cite magazine |last1=Sneider |first1=Jeff |title=Jay Hernandez Joining Will Smith, Jared Leto in WB's 'Suicide Squad' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.thewrap.com/jay-hernandez-joining-will-smith-jared-leto-in-wbs-suicide-squad-exclusive/ |access-date=February 19, 2015 |magazine=TheWrap |date=February 18, 2015}}</ref> At the [[87th Academy Awards]], it was revealed that Davis had been cast as Amanda Waller.<ref name=DavisCast>{{cite tweet |title=VIDEO – @violadavis confirms to @BenMulroney she'll play Amanda Waller in #SuicideSquad shooting in Toronto! #etalk |number=570296573751648256 |author=etalk |author-link=etalk |user=etalkCTV |date=February 24, 2015 |access-date=March 2, 2015}}</ref> In March 2015, boxer Raymond Olubawale was reported to have an unspecified role in the film,<ref name=OlubowaleCast>{{cite news |last1=Buffery |first1=Steve |title=Olubowale's back and ready to rumble with Ruddock |url=http://www.torontosun.com/2015/03/26/olubowales-back-and-ready-to-rumble-with-ruddock |newspaper=Toronto Sun |access-date=March 30, 2015|date=March 27, 2015 }}</ref> and [[Scott Eastwood]] announced that he had been cast.<ref name=EastwoodCast>{{cite tweet |title=#Breaking – @ScottEastwood confirms to #etalk he's been in Toronto working on #SuicideSquad. More to come tomorrow. |number=582213320326926336 |author=etalk |user=etalkCTV |date=March 29, 2015 |access-date=March 30, 2015}}</ref> Later that month, it was confirmed that [[Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje]] and [[Karen Fukuhara]] had been cast as [[Killer Croc]] and [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]], respectively.<ref name="CastCroc"/> [[Adam Beach]], [[Ike Barinholtz]], and [[Jim Parrack]] were added to the cast in April 2015.<ref name=CastVarietyMisc/> In January 2016, [[Ben Affleck]] was confirmed to reprise his role as [[Batman]] from ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]''.<ref name="Batman-Suicide-Squad-confirmed"/>

=== Filming ===
[[File:Suicide Squad filming in Toronto 11.jpg|thumb|Filming of a [[Car chase|chase sequence]] on [[Yonge Street]] in Downtown [[Toronto]], May 2015]]

Filming began on April 13, 2015, in Toronto.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suicide Squad Will Officially Start Filming April 13th |url=http://dccomicsmovie.com/suicide-squad-will-officially-start-filming-april-13th/ |access-date=April 8, 2015 |work=DC Comics Movie |date=March 27, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |title=Day 1 #SuicideSquad |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=587710878100893696 |author=Ayer, David |author-link=David Ayer |access-date=April 13, 2015 |date=April 13, 2015}}</ref> On April 26 and 27, filming took place at Hy's Steakhouse.<ref>{{cite news |title='Suicide Squad' filming locations in Toronto on April 26 & 27 |url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2015/04/24/suicide-squad-filming-locations-in-toronto-on-april-26-27/ |access-date=April 26, 2015 |work=On Location Vacations |author=Christine |date=April 24, 2015 |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425231011/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2015/04/24/suicide-squad-filming-locations-in-toronto-on-april-26-27/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> A "snowstorm" scene was filmed on April 29 on Adelaide St. and in Ching Lane.<ref>{{cite news |title='Suicide Squad' is filming a "snowstorm" scene in Toronto tonight |url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2015/04/29/suicide-squad-is-filming-a-snowstorm-scene-in-toronto-tonight/ |access-date=May 2, 2015 |author=Christine |work=On Location Vacations |date=April 29, 2015 |archive-date=May 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150502035808/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2015/04/29/suicide-squad-is-filming-a-snowstorm-scene-in-toronto-tonight/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> On May 5, a few major scenes were filmed in downtown Toronto next to Yonge and Dundas Square.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.news1130.com/2015/05/06/entertainment-city-suicide-squad/ |title=Entertainment City: 'Suicide Squad' |publisher=News1130 |date=May 6, 2015 |access-date=May 17, 2015 |archive-date=May 10, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150510063131/http://www.news1130.com/2015/05/06/entertainment-city-suicide-squad/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Principal photography [[wrap (filmmaking)|wrapped]] in August 2015 after additional filming took place in [[Chicago]], [[Illinois]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/475391-production-wraps-on-suicide-squad-movie#/slide/1 |title=Production Wraps on Suicide Squad Movie |publisher=[[ComingSoon.net]] |last=Perry |first=Spencer |date=August 24, 2015 |access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=637280237806465024 |title=It's a wrap folks! #SuicideSquad #WarnerBros #DCcomics |author=Ayer, David |date=August 28, 2015 |access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref> The visual effects were later provided by [[Moving Picture Company]], [[Sony Pictures Imageworks]], Mammal Studios and Ollin VFX and Supervised by Robert Winter, Mark Breakspaer, Gregory D. Liegey, Charlie Iturriaga and [[Jerome Chen (special effects artist)|Jerome Chen]] as the Production Supervisor.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.artofvfx.com/suicide-squad/ |title=SUICIDE SQUAD |publisher=The Art of VFX |date=June 24, 2016 }}</ref>

=== Post-production ===

The film had a troubled [[post-production]]. Editor [[John Gilroy (film editor)|John Gilroy]] left the project in early 2016, leading to [[Charles Roven]] recommending [[Lee Smith (film editor)|Lee Smith]] to Ayer "to take a slightly different approach, but not totally change the tone of the movie with his work".<ref name=":5">{{Cite magazine |last=Couch |first=Aaron |date=August 6, 2021 |title='Suicide Squad' Producer on David Ayer Cut, James Gun |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/suicide-squad-james-gunn-david-ayer-cut-1234994105/ |access-date=November 29, 2022 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> Smith created Ayer's final picture-locked director's cut based on Gilroy's Assemblies, and remains credited as an editor in the final film.<ref name=":6">{{Cite magazine |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=July 29, 2021 |title=David Ayer Blasts 'Suicide Squad': "The Studio Cut Is Not My Movie" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/suicide-squad-david-ayer-warner-bros-1234990360/ |access-date=November 29, 2022 |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> This cut ran roughly 143 minutes, contained no additional music outside of Steven Price's score, and had a linear arrangement of scenes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Northrup |first=Ryan |date=October 6, 2022 |title=David Ayer Confirms He Showed Suicide Squad Director's Cut To Fan |url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-directors-cut-david-ayer-fan-screening/ |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref name=":7">{{Cite web |first=Sarah |last=El-Mahmoud |date=June 9, 2021 |title=Suicide Squad Editor Shares The Major Changes Made To David Ayer's Version |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2568689/suicide-squad-editor-shares-major-changes-made-david-ayer-version-jared-leto-joker |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=CinemaBlend}}</ref> Additional editor Kevin Hickman confirmed the tone and pacing was militaristic and akin to ''[[Black Hawk Down (film)|Black Hawk Down]]''.<ref name=":7" /> Warner executives worked on a different cut than Ayer's, with assistance from the company that had made the film's teaser, and tested it against a "somber" version Ayer presented.<ref name="thr" /> Roven noted that second cut was not Smith's cut, but by an unknown editor.<ref name=":5" /> Ayer later confirmed that this version was a modified version of the studio's cut.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malhotra |first=Rahul |date=August 15, 2021 |title=David Ayer Responds to Report 'Suicide Squad' Tested Poorly With Audiences |url=https://collider.com/david-ayer-comments-suicide-squad-tested-poorly-with-audiences/ |access-date=November 30, 2022 |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]}}</ref> After both versions tested near-identically, the studio decided to do reshoots to reach a place of "consensus" between the two versions.<ref name=":5" /><ref name="thr" />

Reshoots written by Geoff Johns ensued in 2016 following Warner's desire to compromise the tested cuts together and make a more light-hearted film overall; it was reported the reshoots cost as much as $22 million (more than the typical $6–10 million that additional filming costs).<ref name=":8">{{cite tweet |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=1322387567040319488 |title=For sure that became a factor – but the reason was BVS got chewed up by the critics, and the success of Deadpool – the studio leadership at the time panicked. Then major elements of my cut were ripped out before I could mature the edit. Then Johns wrote pages I had to reshoot |author=Ayer, David |date=October 30, 2020}}</ref><ref name="thr" /><ref name="cinemascore" /> It was also confirmed that [[Zack Snyder]] filmed a scene with the Flash while shooting ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' in London, while Ayer was in post-production on ''Suicide Squad''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/suicide-squad-justice-league-cameo-scene-2016-8 |title=Suicide Squad 'Justice League' Cameo Scene |date=August 7, 2016 |work=Business Insider |access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> These reshoots included an almost entirely different third act from the original, and new versions of scenes featuring Harley Quinn and the Joker to make their relationship less abusive and more appealing to teenage audiences.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woburn |first=Daniel |date=June 16, 2020 |title=Suicide Squad Reshoots Explained: Every Change WB Made To The Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-movie-reshoots-changes-explained/ |access-date=November 29, 2022 |website=[[Screen Rant]] }}</ref> Ayer confirmed that the film was completed on June 24, 2016.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=746361454970834944 |title=Squad is completed! Finished final mix and coloring. Now it's off to the lab and then the world. Nothing like it out there. It.Is.a.Beast. |last=Ayer |first=David |date=June 24, 2016}}</ref>

=== Music ===
{{main|Suicide Squad (soundtrack){{!}}''Suicide Squad'' (soundtrack)}}

[[Steven Price (composer)|Steven Price]], who previously worked with Ayer on ''[[Fury (2014 film)|Fury]]'', composed the score for ''Suicide Squad''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Behind The Scenes Look At Suicide Squad Scoring Session |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2016/05/29/behind-the-scenes-look-at-suicide-squad-scoring-session/ |publisher=[[ComicBook.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160530154324/http://comicbook.com/dc/2016/05/29/behind-the-scenes-look-at-suicide-squad-scoring-session/ |archive-date=May 30, 2016  }}</ref> ''Suicide Squad: Original Motion Picture Score'' was announced for a release date of August 8, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://comicbook.com/2016/07/16/suicide-squad-official-score-tracklist-revealed/ |title=Suicide Squad Official Score Tracklist Revealed |first=Russ |last=Burlingame |publisher=[[ComicBook.com]] |date=July 16, 2016 |access-date=July 19, 2016}}</ref> A soundtrack album for the film, titled ''Suicide Squad: The Album'', was announced in June 2016, and released on August 5, 2016. Many artists were featured on the soundtrack, including [[Kehlani]], [[Logic (rapper)|Logic]], [[Skylar Grey]], [[Wiz Khalifa]], [[Ty Dolla Sign]], [[X Ambassadors]], [[Lil Wayne]], and [[Imagine Dragons]].<ref>{{cite web |first=Jay |last=Jayson |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2016/06/16/suicide-squad-movie-soundtrack-revealed/ |title=Suicide Squad Movie Soundtrack Revealed |publisher=[[ComicBook.com]] |date=June 16, 2016 |access-date=June 28, 2016}}</ref> The album's lead single, "[[Heathens (Twenty One Pilots song)|Heathens]]" by [[Twenty One Pilots]], was released on June 20, 2016.<ref name="Suicide Soundtrack">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/7408822/suicide-squad-soundtrack-eminem-skrillex-lil-wayne-twenty-one-pilots |title='Suicide Squad' Soundtrack: Skrillex & Rick Ross, Panic! at the Disco Cover 'Bohemian Rhapsody' & More |magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] |first=Gil |last=Kaufman |date=June 17, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> A music video for the song, set in a prison and featuring footage from the film, was released on June 21.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.idolator.com/7637725/twenty-one-pilots-suicide-squad-heathens-video |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160806190543/http://www.idolator.com/7637725/twenty-one-pilots-suicide-squad-heathens-video |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 6, 2016 |title=Twenty One Pilots Hang In A Prison For "Heathens" Video: Watch |publisher=[[Idolator (website)|Idolator]] |first=Rachel |last=Sonis |date=June 22, 2016 |access-date=June 22, 2016 }}</ref> "[[Sucker for Pain]]" was released as the second single on June 24.<ref name="Suicide Soundtrack"/> The album's third single, "[[Purple Lamborghini]]" by [[Skrillex]] and [[Rick Ross]], was released on July 22.<ref name='Skrillex teases "Purple Lamborghini" music video'>{{cite web |title=Skrillex teases 'Purple Lamborghini' music video |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BG29c4SyaD7/ |publisher=Instagram}}</ref> "Gangsta" by Kehlani; "Standing in the Rain" by [[Action Bronson]], [[Mark Ronson]], and [[Dan Auerbach]] of [[The Black Keys]]; "Medieval Warfare" by [[Grimes (musician)|Grimes]]; and a cover of [[Queen (band)|Queen]]'s "[[Bohemian Rhapsody]]" performed by [[Panic! at the Disco]] were released as four promotional singles on August 2, August 3, and August 4, 2016, respectively, with "Medieval Warfare" and "Bohemian Rhapsody" being released on the same day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Suicide Squad: The Album |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/suicide-squad-the-album/1125281254 |publisher=iTunes Store |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804050749/https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/suicide-squad-the-album/id1125281254 |archive-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref>

== Release ==
''Suicide Squad'' premiered at the [[Beacon Theatre (New York City)|Beacon Theatre]] in New York City on August 1, 2016. The subsequent London premiere took place on August 3, 2016.<ref>{{cite news | url= http://www.ikonlondonmagazine.com/will-smith-and-margot-robbie-on-the-red-carpet-at-the-london-premiere-of-suicide-squad/ | title= Will Smith And Margot Robbie On The Red Carpet At The London Premiere Of Suicide Squad | work= Ikon London Magazine | date= August 4, 2016 | access-date=February 23, 2018}}</ref> It was theatrically released in the United States on August 5, 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/dc-movie-slate-revealed/ |title=DC Comics Movies Announced: 'Suicide Squad,' 'Wonder Woman,' 'Justice League,' 'The Flash,' 'Aquaman' |last=Fischer |first=Russ |publisher=[[/Film]] |date=October 15, 2014 |access-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref>

=== Marketing ===
''Suicide Squad'' held a panel at the 2015 [[San Diego Comic-Con]], with stars Smith, Robbie, Courtney, Davis, and Kinnaman among those who appeared. A trailer intended to be exclusive to the event premiered but was leaked online, with Warner Bros. responding by stating they would not release an official version.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/comic-con-suicide-squad-deadpool-pirated-footage-leaks-1201474871/ |title=Will Comic Con Leaks Of 'Suicide Squad', 'Deadpool' Mean Less Exclusive Footage? |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |website=[[Deadline (website)|Deadline]] |date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=July 19, 2015}}</ref> However, the following day, Warner Bros. released an official version, stating: "Warner Bros. Pictures and our anti-piracy team have worked tirelessly over the last 48 hours to contain the ''Suicide Squad'' footage that was pirated from Hall H on Saturday. We have been unable to achieve that goal. Today we will release the same footage that has been illegally circulating on the web, in the form it was created and high quality with which it was intended to be enjoyed. We regret this decision as it was our intention to keep the footage as a unique experience for the Comic-Con crowd, but we cannot continue to allow the film to be represented by the poor quality of the pirated footage stolen from our presentation."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2015/07/suicide-squad-official-movie-footage-exclusive-1201475371/ |title=[WATCH] Suicide Squad Footage: First Look At Official Comic Con Footage |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |website=[[Deadline (website)|Deadline]] |date=July 13, 2015 |access-date=July 19, 2015}}</ref>

=== Home media ===
''Suicide Squad'' was released on Digital HD on November 15, 2016, and on Blu-ray, 4K Ultra-HD Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D, and DVD on December 13, 2016. An [[Director's cut#Extended cuts and special editions|extended cut]] of the film is included in the home entertainment releases, except for the DVD version. The extended cut contains roughly thirteen minutes of footage absent from the theatrical version.<ref>{{cite tweet |user=SuicideSquadWB |number=783685958034034689 |date=October 5, 2016 |title=#SuicideSquad Extended Cut. Spread the word. |access-date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/suicide-squad-extended-cut-be-935299 |title='Suicide Squad' Extended Cut to Be Released After All |first=Aaron |last=Couch |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=October 5, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/05/suicide-squad-extended-cut-coming-to-blu-ray |title=SUICIDE SQUAD EXTENDED CUT COMING TO BLU-RAY |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |work=[[IGN]] |date=October 5, 2016 |access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> A [[novelization]] of the movie was written by [[Marv Wolfman]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2016 |title=15 Things The Suicide Squad Novelization Reveals About The Movie |url=https://screenrant.com/reasons-to-read-suicide-squad-novelization/ |access-date=October 7, 2020 |website=[[Screen Rant]] }}</ref> Ayer has suggested that this is truer to his vision than the theatrical cut of the film.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 8, 2020 |first=Ruby |last=Goldstone |title=SUICIDE SQUAD Director David Ayer Suggests His Vision Can (Mostly) Be Found In The Novelization|url=https://www.comicbookmovie.com/suicide_squad/suicide-squad-director-david-ayer-suggests-his-vision-can-mostly-be-found-in-the-novelization-a179061|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=Comic Book Movie}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Suicide Squad'' was a box office success,<ref name="HT">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/09/26/suicide-squad-warner-bros-did-everything-right-except-make-a-good-movie/ |title='Suicide Squad': Warner Bros. Did Everything Right Except Make A Good Movie |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=September 26, 2016 |access-date=September 26, 2016}}</ref> grossing $325.1 million in the United States and Canada and $424.1 million in other territories for a worldwide total of $749.2 million, against a production budget of $175 million ($325 million including advertising and promotion costs).<ref name=BOM/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/08/movies/making-suicide-squad-a-smash-despite-withering-reviews.html |title=Making 'Suicide Squad' a Smash, Despite Withering Reviews |first=Brooks |last=Barnes |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-crosses-500-million-worldwide-box-office-1201805484/ |title='Suicide Squad' Shoots Past $500M At Worldwide Box Office |last=Tartaglione |first=Nancy |date=August 18, 2016|access-date=August 19, 2016}}</ref> ''Suicide Squad'' was highly anticipated by audiences worldwide.<ref name="LATimes"/> It recorded a worldwide opening of $267.1 million from 59 countries and IMAX global debut of $18.2 million, both of which set new records for the month of August.<ref name="FORBES">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/07/box-office-suicide-squad-nabs-huge-267m-global-debut/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Nabs Huge $267M Global Debut |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> That is also the second-best debut worldwide for a DC property after ''Dawn of Justice'' ($422.5 million) and the seventh-best for a superhero title.<ref name="DEADD"/> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' highlighted that ''Dawn of Justice'' had an advantage of receiving a coveted day-and-date release with China, while ''Suicide Squad'' did not secure a release date in the country.<ref name="THR3">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-suicide-squad-opens-917863 |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Opens to Big $135M But Drops Sharply Saturday |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' pointed out that had the film secured a release in China, it might well have matched or topped the $773 million total of ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' and the $782 million gross of ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]''.<ref name="HT"/> ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' calculated the net profit of the film to be $158.45 million, when factoring together all expenses and revenues for the film, making it the 10th-most-profitable release of 2016.<ref name=profit>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/suicide-squad-box-office-profit-2016-1202052792/ |title=No. 10 'Suicide Squad' Box Office Profits – 2016 Most Valuable Movie Blockbuster Tournament |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=March 27, 2017 |access-date=March 27, 2017}}</ref>

==== North America ====
Projections for its opening weekend in the United States and Canada were being continuously revised upwards starting from $100 million to as high as $150 million.<ref>{{Multiref2|{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/box-office-suicide-squad-tracking-911029 |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Tracking for Enormous $125M U.S. Debut |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=July 14, 2016 |access-date=July 14, 2016}}|{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/suicide-squad-will-smith-august-opening-box-office-record-1201786609/ |title='Suicide Squad' Gunning For August & Will Smith Opening Records – Box Office |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=July 14, 2016 }}|{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/jason-bourne-bad-moms-nerve-opening-weekend-box-office-results-1201795475/ |title='Bourne' Gets His $60M; 'Moms' Purses Mid-$20M; 'Nerve' Steady – Box Office Sunday AM |first=Anita |last=Busch |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=July 31, 2016 |access-date=July 31, 2016}}|{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4211&p=.htm |title='Jason Bourne' Tops Weekend with $60M; 'Star Trek Beyond' Suffers Big Second Weekend Drop |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=July 31, 2016 |access-date=August 1, 2016}}|{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/box-office-suicide-squad-headed-916471 |title=Box-Office Preview: Can 'Suicide Squad' Best 'Deadpool' in U.S. Debut? |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2016}}
}}</ref> The film opened across 4,255 theaters, the widest for the month of August. Of that, 382 theaters were in IMAX, over 490 large-format screens locations, 270-plus drive-ins, 180-plus [[D-Box]] locations and over 200 dine-in/luxury theaters.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4213 |title='Suicide Squad' Set for August Opening Record Despite Negative Reviews |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref> It opened Friday, August 5, 2016, on about 11,000 screens and earned $65.1 million, marking the biggest August opening and single day, and the third-biggest opening-day gross of 2016. Of that, $5.8 million came from IMAX theaters, also a new August record.<ref name="FORBES1">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/06/box-office-suicide-squad-scores-insane-65m-friday/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Scores Insane $65M Friday |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 6, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> This includes $20.5 million it earned from Thursday previews, which began at 6:00 pm, setting the record for biggest-ever preview of August and the second-biggest for a non-sequel film (behind ''[[Man of Steel (film)|Man of Steel]]''). IMAX comprised $2.4 million (12%) of that figure.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-suicide-squad-rockets-917376 |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Rockets to $20.5M Thursday Night |first1=Pamela|last1=McClintock|first2=Rebecca|last2=Ford|magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 5, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/05/box-office-suicide-squad-breaks-first-record-with-20-5m-thursday/ |title='Suicide Squad' Breaks First Box Office Record With $20.5M Thursday |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 5, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref> Much like ''Batman v Superman'' and ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]]'', however, the film saw a steep Friday-to-Saturday decline, grossing $38.8 million (a drop of 41%).<ref name="DEADD">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-weekend-box-office-opening-will-smith-margot-robbie-1201799046/ |title='Suicide Squad' Opening Weekend Now At $135.1M – Early Sunday AM Update |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref><ref name="FORBES3"/> In total, it earned $133.7 million in its opening weekend, setting records for the month of August (previously held by ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'') and for [[Will Smith]]'s career (previously held by ''[[I Am Legend (film)|I Am Legend]]'').<ref name="DEADD"/> It is also the second-biggest debut for a non-sequel, behind ''[[The Hunger Games (film)|The Hunger Games]]'' ($152 million), the fourth-biggest of the year and the fifth-biggest for Warner Bros.<ref name="DEADD"/><ref name="FORBES3">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/07/suicide-squad-box-office-a-record-breaking-but-front-loaded-135m-weekend/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Scores Record-Crushing, But Front-Loaded, $135M Weekend |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> IMAX made up $11 million of the opening numbers from 382 theaters, $200,000 shy of breaking ''Guardians of the Galaxy''{{'}}s record. Nevertheless, it did beat ''Guardians of the Galaxy''{{'}}s $7.6 million in terms of premium large format screens which comprised $13 million. For Cinemark XD screens, which made $3.2 million, the sixth-highest opening.<ref name="DEADD"/>

The opening numbers helped [[Warner Bros.]] push past the $1 billion mark in North America for the sixteenth year in a row. The film also helped the total weekend tickets sales to an unprecedented $221.3 million in August. Previously, August has not exceeded $200 million at the box office in a single weekend in North America.<ref name="DEADD"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=4214&p=.htm |title='Suicide Squad' Shoots Down August Record with $135 Million Opening |first=Brad |last=Brevet |publisher=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/?view=wknd&wknd=32&sort=year&order=DESC&p=.htm |title=Weekend Index – Aug 5 – 7, 2016 |work=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> ''Suicide Squad'' scored a massive debut primarily on the backs of the under-35 set which made up 76% of the opening weekend.<ref name="F4">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/11/suicide-squad-4-reasons-its-box-office-blowout-is-good-news/ |title='Suicide Squad': 4 Reasons Its Box Office Blowout Is Good News |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=August 12, 2016}}</ref> Audiences were also diverse, with [[African Americans]] and [[Hispanic Americans]] making up 41% of the patrons.<ref name="F4"/>

Following its record breaking opening weekend, it posted the biggest August Monday gross with $13.1 million, a drop of 56.5% from its Sunday gross. This broke ''Guardians of the Galaxy''{{'}}s previous record of $11.7 million,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-box-office-second-weekend-sausage-party-seth-rogen-petes-dragon-florence-foster-jenkins-1201800933/ |title='Suicide Squad' Secures Record Monday Haul For August, Eyes $51M-$54M In 2nd Weekend – B.O. Preview |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/09/box-office-suicide-squad-earns-13-million-monday-for-146m-cume/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Scores Solid $13M Monday For $146M In Total Earnings |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=[[Forbes]] |date=August 9, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref> and also the biggest August Tuesday with $14.3 million, up 9% from its Monday take.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-tuesday-august-box-office-record-captain-american-civil-war-batman-v-superman-1201801379/ |title='Suicide Squad' Super Tuesday Not Only An August Record, But Also Beats 'Civil War' |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref> The film has earned the biggest Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday in August history.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/10/box-office-suicide-squad-tops-x-men-apocalypse-in-five-days/ |title=Box Office 'Suicide Squad' Tops 'X-Men: Apocalypse' In Five Days |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016}}</ref> It made $179.1 million in its first week of release, the fourth-biggest of the year.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/12/box-office-suicide-squad-ends-first-week-with-179-1m/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Ends First Week With $179.1M In Cumulative Earnings |magazine=[[Forbes]] |access-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> Despite earning $13.4 million on its second Friday, the film dropped 79%, slightly less than ''Batman v Superman''{{'}}s 81% drop.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/13/friday-box-office-suicide-squad-plunges-79-holding-no-better-than-batman-v-superman/ |title=Friday Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Plunges 79%, Holding No Better Than 'Batman V Superman' |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 13, 2016 |access-date=August 13, 2016}}</ref> Following a first-place finish in its first weekend of release, the film faced a steep decline of 67.2% in its [[Second weekend in box office performance|second weekend]], earning an estimated $43.8 million to score the biggest August second-weekend gross. It also passed the $200 million mark in ten days and was able to hold the top spot for the second time in a row despite competition from the comedy ''[[Sausage Party]]''.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/14/box-office-suicide-squad-tumbles-67-for-43-77m-weekend/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Tumbles 67% For $43.77M Weekend |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=August 14, 2016 |access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> However, the drop is one of the biggest declines for a studio superhero film, and for Warner Bros., which ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' called it "deja vu all over again" after ''Batman v Superman'' tumbled 69% in its second weekend earlier in the year. The second weekend decline is the second biggest in summer history, behind ''[[Warcraft (film)|Warcraft]]''{{'}}s historic 70% drop in June of the same year. The site also highlighted possible reasons for the significantly steep drop: dismal reviews, general apathy among moviegoers, altering movie-going habits and competition.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weekend-box-office-sausage-party-919379 |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Sausage Party' Feasts on $33.6M; 'Pete's Dragon' Flounders |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 14, 2016 |access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-analysis-suicide-squad-919425 |title=Box-Office Analysis: 'Suicide Squad' and the Summer of Steep Second-Week Drops |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 15, 2016 |access-date=August 15, 2016}}</ref>

After three weeks of holding the top spot, it was overtaken by ''[[Don't Breathe]]'' on its fourth weekend.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/weekend-box-office-dont-breathe-923578 |title=Weekend Box Office: 'Don't Breathe' Terrorizes Rivals With Winning $26.1M Debut |first=Pamela |last=McClintock |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=August 28, 2016 |access-date=August 28, 2016}}</ref> It maintained the second spot in its fifth weekend and registered its best hold with a 20% decline while also passing the $300 million threshold<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/09/04/box-office-dont-breathe-tops-suicide-squad-near-300m-star-trek-beyond-nabs-30m-in-china/ |title=Box Office: 'Don't Breathe' Tops, 'Suicide Squad' Near $300M, 'Star Trek Beyond' Nabs $30M In China |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/dont-breathe-light-between-oceans-morgan-labor-day-weekend-box-office-1201812978/ |title='Don't Breathe' Still Has Oxygen, 'Suicide Squad' Seizes $300M+, 'Morgan' D.O.A. : Labor Day Weekend B.O. – Sunday Update |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=September 4, 2016 |access-date=September 4, 2016}}</ref> on its thirty-second day of release.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/09/05/box-office-deadpool-created-unrealistic-expectations-for-suicide-squad-batman-v-superman/ |title=Box Office: How 'Deadpool' Created Pie-In-The-Sky Expectations For 'Suicide Squad' |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=[[Forbes]] |date=September 5, 2016 |access-date=September 6, 2016}}</ref> It remained in the top ten for eight weekends until falling off in its ninth weekend.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/10/02/box-office-sully-tops-100m-suicide-squad-exits-top-ten-magnificent-seven-stumbles/ |title=Box Office: 'Sully' Tops $100M, 'Suicide Squad' Exits Top Ten, 'Magnificent Seven' Stumbles |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |magazine=[[Forbes]] |date=October 2, 2016 |access-date=October 2, 2016}}</ref>

====Other territories====
Internationally, ''Suicide Squad'' secured a release in approximately 62 countries.<ref name="Overseas40thOpening"/> It was released in 57 countries (70% of the marketplace) in conjuncture with its North American debut, including France, South Korea, Australia, Russia and the [[Commonwealth of Independent States]] (CIS), Brazil, the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Spain and Mexico beginning from Wednesday, August 3. According to trackings, the film was projected to have an opening anywhere between $85 million to $120 million, which would be a new August international debut record.<ref name="DEADproj">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-nine-lives-box-office-preview-1201796523/ |title='Suicide Squad' Will Rock August As 'Nine Lives' Cozies Up To Family Audience – Box Office Preview |first1=Anita |last1=Busch |first2=Nancy |last2=Tartaglione |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/box-office-suicide-squad-reviews-will-smith-1201828678/ |title=Box Office: Can 'Suicide Squad' Survive Bad Reviews for Record-Breaking Weekend? |first=Brent |last=Lang |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> ''[[Deadline Hollywood]]'' pointed out that although the film is a lesser-known property, similar to ''Guardians of the Galaxy'', stars such as [[Will Smith]] are better known internationally, which could potentially aid the film's performance.<ref name="DEADproj"/> It opened Wednesday, August 3, 2016, in 7 countries, earning $8.1 million.<ref name="Overseas1">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-opening-international-box-office-results-1201798378/ |title='Suicide Squad' Pummels $29.6M In Two Days Overseas – International Box Office |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=August 4, 2016}}</ref> It opened in 50 more countries on August 4 and 5, earning $53.8 million for a three-day total of $64.6 million from 57 countries.<ref name="Overseas1"/> Through Sunday, August 7, it delivered a five-day opening of $133.3 million from 57 countries on 17,630 screens, nearly double the previous August record held by ''Guardians of the Galaxy''. It also set IMAX opening record with $7 million.<ref name="Overseas33rdOpening">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-secret-life-of-pets-time-raiders-jason-bourne-international-box-office-weekend-results-1201799726/ |title='Suicide Squad's Offshore Bow Rises To $133.3M Topping 'Deadpool' Comp – Intl Box Office Hot Actuals |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> It added $58.7 million on its second weekend, a drop of 57% on 15,600 screens in 62 territories.<ref name="Overseas35thOpening">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-secret-life-of-pets-sausage-party-petes-dragon-foreign-weekend-results-international-box-office-1201803323/ |title='Suicide Squad' Rounds Up $243M Overseas & $465M Global Cumes; 'Pets' Prancing To $600M WW – Intl Box Office |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 14, 2016 |access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref> After two straight wins, it was overtaken by the animated ''[[The Secret Life of Pets]]'' in its third weekend.<ref name="Overseas36thOpening">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-secret-life-of-pets-ben-hur-war-dogs-weekend-results-foreign-international-box-office-1201806587/ |title=Universal Pictures 'Pets' Collars $674M WW; 'Suicide Squad' Necks $575M Through Sunday – Intl B.O. Final |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=August 24, 2016}}</ref>

It recorded the biggest opening day of all time for Warner Bros. in Russia ($3.9 million), the biggest August opening day in the United Kingdom ($6.2 million), Brazil ($3 million), South Korea ($2.9 million, also the second biggest Warner Bros. opening day), France ($2.7 million), Sweden ($564,000) and Holland ($517,000, also the biggest opening of the year).<ref name="Overseas1"/> Mexico and Spain opened with $3.9 million and $1.4 million, respectively.<ref name="Overseas1"/> In terms of opening weekend, the film recorded the biggest Warner Bros. opening of all time in Russia ($11.4 million). In Brazil, despite playing amidst the [[2016 Summer Olympics]], it managed to open with $11.75 million, marking the biggest August opening weekend of all time, the biggest Will Smith opening, and the fourth-biggest opening for a superhero film. Its opening numbers alone made it the second-biggest film for the studio there.<ref name="Overseas33rdOpening"/> In South Korea, although the film was off to a strong start, it was eventually overtaken by ''[[The Last Princess (film)|The Last Princess]]'' and ''[[Operation Chromite (film)|Operation Chromite]]'' debuting at No. 3. It made $10.8 million in five days (Wednesday to Sunday).<ref name="Overseas33rdOpening"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/korea-box-office-princess-reigns-over-weekend-squad-opens-third-1201832502/ |title=Korea Box Office: 'Princess' Reigns Over Weekend, 'Squad' Opens Third |first=Sonia |last=Kil |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=August 7, 2016|access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> The UK and Ireland posted the biggest opening market for the film with £11.25 million ($14.8 million) from 573 theaters. Discounting previews, it delivered the third-biggest UK opening of the year, behind ''Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice'' (£14.62 million) and ''Captain America: Civil War'' (£14.47 million). It also became the first newly released film of August since 2014 to debut above £3 million.<ref name="Overseas33rdOpening"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/aug/09/suicide-squad-tops-uk-box-office-finding-dory-jason-bourne |title=Crime pays: DC's Suicide Squad tops UK box office with £11.25m |first=Charles |last=Gant |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=August 9, 2016|access-date=August 9, 2016}}</ref> Elsewhere, it scored the biggest August opening in Australia ($10.5 million), Mexico ($10.4 million) and Argentina ($2.5 million), while in Spain, it recorded the biggest DC opening with $3.4 million, where it was behind ''[[The Secret Life of Pets]]'' for the weekend and France a $7.9 million opening.<ref name="Overseas33rdOpening"/> It opened in first place in India for a non-local film with $1.8 million from 462 screens, despite facing competition from ''[[Jason Bourne (film)|Jason Bourne]]'' ($1.1 million from 1,027 screens) which also opened on the same weekend. Despite the later film occupying twice the screen number of the former, ''Suicide Squad'' managed to take the top spot.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/dongroves/2016/08/07/indian-box-office-dishoom-stays-strong-while-suicide-squad-and-jason-bourne-under-perform/ |title=Indian Box Office: 'Dishoom' Stays Strong As 'Suicide Squad' Takes Top Spot Ahead Of 'Jason Bourne' |first=Don |last=Groves |work=[[Forbes]] |date=August 7, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref> Italy opened with an estimated $2.2 million in two days, that's the biggest opening for Smith there.<ref name="Overseas35thOpening"/> It opened in first place in Germany with $6.9 million.<ref name="Overseas36thOpening"/> It opened in Japan—the film's last market—on September 9 where it debuted with $3.8 million.<ref name="Overseas39thOpening">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/sully-mil-jeong-suicide-squad-international-box-office-1201817102/ |title='Sully' Flies Higher In Offshore Debut; 'Suicide Squad' Squashes $700M WW – International Box Office Final |first=Anita |last=Busch |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=September 13, 2016|access-date=September 14, 2016}}</ref> It finished in second spot (and first among new releases) behind local anime ''[[Your Name]]''. With such a robust opening, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' projected that the film would end its run there around $20 million.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/asia/japan-box-office-your-name-hit-1201858071/ |title=Japan Box Office: 'Your Name' Heads for Huge Success |first=Mark |last=Schilling |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=September 12, 2016|access-date=September 14, 2016}}</ref> It has so far grossed $9.4 million there.<ref name="Overseas40thOpening">{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/bridget-jones-baby-suicide-squad-chinese-odyssey-sully-overseas-weekend-results-international-box-office-1201821739/ |title='Bridget Jones's Baby' Bows To $30M; 'Suicide Squad' Powers Past $400M – Intl Box Office |first=Nancy |last=Tartaglione |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=September 18, 2016|access-date=September 19, 2016}}</ref>

In terms of total earnings, its biggest market outside of North America is the UK ($43.3 million), followed by Brazil ($35.1 million) and Mexico ($27.1 million).<ref name="Overseas39thOpening"/> In two weeks, it became the second-highest-grossing Warner Bros. film of all time in Brazil behind ''Dawn of Justice''.<ref name="FI2">{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2016/08/14/box-office-suicide-squad-tops-465-million-worldwide/ |title=Box Office: 'Suicide Squad' Tops $465 Million Worldwide |first=Scott |last=Mendelson |work=[[Forbes]] |date=August 14, 2016|access-date=August 14, 2016}}</ref>

===Critical response===
[[File:David Ayer by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|right|thumb|upright|"The studio cut is not my movie. Read that again."<br/>- David Ayer on [[Twitter]], 2021.<ref>{{Cite tweet |author= David Ayer |user= DavidAyerMovies |number=1420826069939023882 |title=My turn…}}</ref>]]
On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of {{RT data|score}} based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critical consensus reads, "''Suicide Squad'' boasts a talented cast and a little more humor than previous [[DCEU]] efforts, but they aren't enough to save the disappointing end result from a muddled plot, thinly written characters, and choppy directing."<ref>{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes |id={{RT data|rtid|noprefix=y}} |type=m |title=Suicide Squad |access-date={{RT data|access date}}}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a [[weighted mean|weighted average]] of 40 out of 100, based on 53 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/suicide-squad |title=''Suicide Squad'' Reviews |publisher=[[CBS Interactive]] |work=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale, while [[PostTrak]] reported filmgoers gave it a 73% overall positive score.<ref name=cinemascore>{{cite web |title='Suicide Squad' $133.6M Opening Breaks August Record To Push Warner Bros. Past $1B Domestic – Monday Final |url=https://deadline.com/2016/08/suicide-squad-weekend-box-office-opening-will-smith-margot-robbie-1201799046/ |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref>

''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s [[Peter Travers]] wrote, "[[DC Comics]] tries something different with ''Suicide Squad'', an all-star collection of crime fighting villains—and the result is anything but super."<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/suicide-squad-movie-review-w432204 |title='Suicide Squad' Review: DC Bad Guys' Movie is Anything but Super |first=Peter |last=Travers |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> [[Richard Lawson (writer)|Richard Lawson]] of ''[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]'' said, "''Suicide Squad'' is just bad. It's ugly and boring, a toxic combination that means the film's highly fetishized violence doesn't even have the exciting tingle of the wicked or the taboo."<ref name=vanity>{{cite web |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/08/suicide-squad-review |title=''Suicide Squad'' Isn't Even the Good Kind of Bad |first=Richard |last=Lawson |work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> Writing for ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', [[Joe Morgenstern]] heavily criticized the film saying, "In a word, ''Suicide Squad'' is trash. In two words, it's ugly trash." He further said, it "amounts to an all-out attack on the whole idea of entertainment," and called the film a product of "shameless pandering".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/suicide-squad-review-weapon-of-mass-depression-1470342658 |title='Suicide Squad' Review: Weapon of Mass Depression – A team of DC Comics bad guys takes on worse guys in this summer extravaganza |first=Joe |last=Morgenstern |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref>

Chris Nashawaty of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' gave the film a B− saying, "''Suicide Squad'' kicks off with fizzy, punk-rock ferocity before turning flat and spiraling into familiar formulas," and called Jared Leto's "scene-stealing" Joker "wasted" and "stranded in the periphery". He concluded by saying, "For DC, ''Suicide Squad'' is a small step forward. But it could have been a giant leap."<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2016/08/02/suicide-squad-ew-review |title=Suicide Squad: EW review |first=Chris |last=Nashawaty |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]'' gave the film 5.9 out of 10, saying: "''Suicide Squad'' is a decidedly different flavor than ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice|Batman v Superman]]''. It goes for subversive, funny and stylish, and it succeeds wildly during the first act. But then the movie turns into something predictable and unexciting."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/02/suicide-squad-review |last=Yehl |first=Joshua |title=The DCEU strikes out with Task Force Meh. |website=[[IGN]] |date=August 2, 2016 |access-date=August 3, 2016}}</ref> Drew McWeeny from ''[[HitFix]]'' gave it a positive review, writing "''Suicide Squad'' is not the darkest mainstream superhero comic book movie ever made, nor is it even the darkest live-action film featuring Batman ever made. However, it is gleefully nihilistic, and it takes a different approach to what has become a fairly familiar story form at this point, right at the moment when it feels like superhero movies either have to evolve or die."<ref>{{cite web |last1=McWeeny |first1=Drew |title=Review: 'Suicide Squad' won't save the world, but it just might save DC |url=http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/review-suicide-squad-wont-save-the-world-but-it-just-might-save-dc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803211224/http://www.hitfix.com/motion-captured/review-suicide-squad-wont-save-the-world-but-it-just-might-save-dc |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 3, 2016 |website=HitFix |access-date=August 3, 2016 |date=August 2, 2016 }}</ref> Brian Truitt from ''[[USA Today]]'' wrote, "Compared to its ilk, ''Suicide Squad'' is an excellently quirky, proudly raised middle finger to the staid superhero-movie establishment."<ref>{{cite news |date=August 2, 2016|last1=Truitt |first1=Brian |title=Review: 'Suicide Squad' finds sincerity in insanity |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/08/02/review-suicide-squad-movie/87915762/ |work=USA Today |access-date=August 3, 2016 }}</ref> Christy Lemire from ''[[RogerEbert.com]]'' wrote "Writer/director David Ayer has created a movie that’s simultaneously underwritten and overstuffed. It has too many characters yet precious few who even come close to resembling actual human beings."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Suicide Squad movie review & film summary (2016) {{!}} Roger Ebert |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/suicide-squad-2016 |access-date=2026-01-25 |website=www.rogerebert.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Margot Robbie's performance as [[Harley Quinn]] was well received, with many critics eager to see more of the character in future films.<ref name="ew"/><ref name="varietyc">{{cite news |last1=Khatchatourian |first1=Maane |title='Suicide Squad' Director Responds to Negative Reviews |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/suicide-squad-bad-reviews-director-responds-1201829629/ |access-date=January 3, 2017 |work=Variety |date=August 3, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://wtop.com/entertainment/2016/08/review-harley-quinns-star-born-amid-sloppy-suicide-squad/ |title=Review: Harley Quinn's star is born amid sloppy 'Suicide Squad' |work= [[WTOP-FM]] |date=August 5, 2016|access-date=August 5, 2016}}</ref> In January 2017, David Ayer said he wished he had done certain things differently in the film including story elements, as well as giving more screen time to the Joker.<ref name="collider.com">{{cite web |last=Cabin |first=Chris |url= https://collider.com/david-ayer-suicide-squad-joker/ |title=David Ayer Pens Message About 'Suicide Squad' Reception & The Joker's Role |publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=January 22, 2017 |access-date=May 5, 2017}}</ref> Ayer, responding to a [[Twitter|tweet]], has since admitted that he had [[Objectification|objectified]] the presence of Quinn in the film, and has apologized for his treatment of her character.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=April 20, 2020 |title=David Ayer apologises for how he used Harley Quinn in 'Suicide Squad' |url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/suicide-squad-david-ayer-apologises-harley-quinn-2650082 |magazine=NME |access-date=April 18, 2021 }}</ref> In June 2021, Joel Kinnaman said that he was disappointed with ''Suicide Squad'': "I thought the first 40 minutes of the film were fucking great, and then there were conflicting visions and it just didn't end up being what we all hoped it was. It didn't feel like the movie that we hoped we were going to make."<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 4, 2021 |first1=Jennifer |last1=Yuma |title=Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman and John Cena Weigh In on David Ayer's Cut of 'Suicide Squad' |work=Variety |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/suicide-squad-david-ayer-cut-margot-robbie-1235033799/ }}</ref> In August 2023, Ayer singled out the movie as his biggest Hollywood heartbreak: "Hollywood, I tell people, is like watching someone you love get fucked by someone you hate," Ayer said. "The big one is Suicide Squad. That shit broke me. That handed me my ass."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tinoco |first=Armando |date=August 29, 2023 |title=David Ayer Says 'Suicide Squad' Is His Biggest Hollywood Heartbreak: "That Sh** Broke Me" |url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/david-ayer-suicide-squad-biggest-hollywood-heartbreak-1235530108/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}</ref>

===Accolades===
{{main|List of accolades received by Suicide Squad}}

''Suicide Squad'' was nominated for various awards, winning several. [[Alessandro Bertolazzi]], [[Giorgio Gregorini]], and [[Christopher Nelson (make-up artist)|Christopher Nelson]] won the [[Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling]] for their work on the film.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2017 |title=THE 89TH ACADEMY AWARDS 2017 |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |date=February 26, 2017 |access-date=February 26, 2017}}</ref> Additionally, Margot Robbie won the [[Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Actress in an Action Movie]] and the film received three [[Grammy Award]] nominations.

==Future==
{{See also|DC Extended Universe}}
The film's mid-credits scene glimpses the 2017 film ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]''. There were also multiple spin-offs and sequels announced to be in development:

===Sequel===
{{main|The Suicide Squad (film)}}

''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' was announced with intention of David Ayer to return as director from the first film, but Ayer left the project to instead work on the ultimately cancelled ''Gotham City Sirens''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1683869/why-david-ayer-is-directing-gotham-city-sirens-instead-of-suicide-squad-2 |title=Why David Ayer Is Directing Gotham City Sirens Instead Of Suicide Squad 2 |access-date=May 2, 2019 |website=Cinemablend |date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> This followed with [[Gavin O'Connor (filmmaker)|Gavin O'Connor]] hired as co-screenwriter-director, while production was originally slated to begin October 2018, though the script's similarities to ''Birds of Prey'' led to [[principal photography]] delays. [[James Gunn]] was later hired to re-write the screenplay, after he was fired from [[Marvel Studios]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://collider.com/suicide-squad-2-gavin-oconnor-not-directing/ |title=Here's Why Gavin O'Connor Is No Longer Directing 'Suicide Squad 2' |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=October 9, 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121004151/http://collider.com/suicide-squad-2-gavin-oconnor-not-directing/ |archive-date=November 21, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://discussingfilm.wordpress.com/2018/09/15/todd-stashwick-talks-12-monkeys-kim-possible-suicide-squad-2-more-exclusive/|title=Todd Stashwick Talks '12 Monkeys', 'Kim Possible', 'Suicide Squad 2 & More. (EXCLUSIVE)|date=September 15, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180920081353/https://discussingfilm.wordpress.com/2018/09/15/todd-stashwick-talks-12-monkeys-kim-possible-suicide-squad-2-more-exclusive/|archive-date=September 20, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |first=Sandy |last=Schaefer |url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-2-production-start-2018/ |title=Suicide Squad 2 Production Start Set for 2018 |website=[[Screen Rant]] |date=December 11, 2017 |access-date=December 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171218120627/https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-2-production-start-2018/ |archive-date=December 18, 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Marc |first=Christopher |url=https://thegww.com/update-will-smith-sets-production-schedules-for-bad-boys-for-life-and-bright-2-as-suicide-squad-2-is-delayed/ |title=UPDATE: WILL SMITH SETS PRODUCTION SCHEDULES FOR ''BAD BOYS FOR LIFE'' AND ''BRIGHT 2'' AS ''SUICIDE SQUAD 2'' IS DELAYED |date=August 18, 2018 |website=OmegaUnderground |publisher=TheGWW |access-date=August 20, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Gonzalez|first1=Umberto|last2=Verhoeven|first2=Beatrice|url=https://www.thewrap.com/james-gunn-suicide-squad-2-for-dc/|title=James Gunn in Talks to Write ''Suicide Squad 2'' for DC, Eyed to Direct (Exclusive)|date=October 9, 2018|website=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=October 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181009184648/https://www.thewrap.com/james-gunn-suicide-squad-2-for-dc/|archive-date=October 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Prasad|first=R.A|url=https://pursuenews.com/suicide-squad-2-director-zack-snyder-geoff-johns-reportedly-on-producer-team/|title=''Suicide Squad 2'': Director Zack Snyder & Geoff Johns Reportedly On Producer Team|date=October 11, 2018|website=PursueNews|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181025155323/https://pursuenews.com/suicide-squad-2-director-zack-snyder-geoff-johns-reportedly-on-producer-team/|archive-date=October 25, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>  Gunn directed the film, and unlike the original film which was rated PG-13, its sequel carried an [[R rating (Motion Picture Association of America)|R rating]]. The film was released in August 2021, to positive reviews from critics, who praised Gunn's script, direction, and visual style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/01/warner-bros-release-dates-galore-doctor-sleep-checks-in-this-november-the-witches-oct-2020-the-suicide-squad-returns-in-2021-1202546092/|title=Warner Bros. Release Dates Galore: 'Doctor Sleep' Checks In This November, 'The Witches' Oct. 2020; 'The Suicide Squad' Returns In 2021|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=January 30, 2019|access-date=January 30, 2019}}</ref> The film was in turn followed by spin-off television series ''[[Peacemaker (TV series)|Peacemaker]]'', starring [[John Cena]] as Christopher Smith / Peacemaker. The series was released in January 2022 for [[HBO Max]].

=== Spin-offs ===
After the release and financial success of ''Suicide Squad'', Warner Bros. and DC Studios announced six separate films being developed featuring Margot Robbie reprising her role as Harley Quinn.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=March 2, 2016|title=Will Smith, David Ayer Reteaming on Max Landis Spec 'Bright'|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/will-smith-david-ayer-bright-suicide-squad-1201696226/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160929144638/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/will-smith-david-ayer-bright-suicide-squad-1201696226/|archive-date=September 29, 2016|access-date=May 7, 2017|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref><ref name="DC-THR">{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=December 13, 2016|title=David Ayer, Margot Robbie Reteam for All-Female DC Villains Movie 'Gotham City Sirens' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gotham-city-sirens-movie-david-ayer-margot-robbie-reteam-all-female-dc-villains-project-|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713013607/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gotham-city-sirens-movie-david-ayer-margot-robbie-reteam-all-female-dc-villains-project-|archive-date=July 13, 2017|access-date=May 9, 2017|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref><ref name="screenrant-versus">{{cite web|date=July 21, 2017|title=Warner Bros. is Developing Harley Quinn vs The Joker Spinoff|website=[[Screen Rant]]|url=https://screenrant.com/harley-quinn-vs-joker-movie-spinoff/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180625033753/https://screenrant.com/harley-quinn-vs-joker-movie-spinoff/|archive-date=June 25, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref> Various sources reported that the studios planned to feature the anti-heroine in a trilogy of films for the character's first story-arc.<ref name=":1">{{cite web|date=January 18, 2019|title=Harley Quinn Rumored To Be Getting Her Own DC Trilogy|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2465419/harley-quinn-rumored-to-be-getting-her-own-dc-trilogy|access-date=March 7, 2019|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite web|date=January 17, 2019|title=Rumor: Warner Bros Exploring 'Harley Quinn' Trilogy: 'Birds Of Prey'; 'Gotham City Sirens'; 'Birds Of Prey v Gotham City Sirens'|url=https://thegww.com/rumor-warner-bros-exploring-harley-quinn-trilogy-birds-of-prey-gotham-city-sirens-birds-of-prey-v-gotham-city-sirens/|access-date=March 7, 2019|website=thegww.com}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite web|title=Harley Quinn Trilogy Rumored To Be In The Works|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/01/18/harley-quinn-trilogy-rumored-in-works/|access-date=March 7, 2019|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=January 19, 2019 }}</ref>
* ''[[Birds of Prey (2020 film)|Birds of Prey]]'': The film features Quinn, who after being left by the Joker, teams up with other [[antihero]]es to protect [[Cassandra Cain]] from [[Gotham City]] crime boss [[Black Mask (character)|Roman Sionis / Black Mask]]. [[Cathy Yan]] serves as director, with a script by [[Christina Hodson]]. [[Principal photography]] lasted from January through April 2019.<ref name="RobbieBirds">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/margot-robbies-harley-quinn-movie-894486 |title=Harley Quinn Movie in the Works at Warner Bros. With Margot Robbie (Exclusive) |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=June 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160517095106/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/margot-robbies-harley-quinn-movie-894486 |archive-date=May 17, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/margot-robbies-harley-quinn-movie-894549 |title=Which DC Heroes Could Join Harley Quinn in a Spinoff Movie? |website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |last=McMillan |first=Graeme |date=May 16, 2016 |access-date=June 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615093627/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/margot-robbies-harley-quinn-movie-894549 |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on February 7, 2020, to a generally positive reception from critics.<ref>{{Cite web |url= https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/birds-of-prey-harley-quinn-review-roundup |title= Critics say Birds of Prey is a stylized, Deadpool-esque romp that mostly hits its mark |first=Josh|last=Weiss|website=[[SyFy|SyFy Wire]] |date=February 5, 2020 |access-date=February 5, 2020}}</ref>
* ''[[Gotham City Sirens]]'': ''Gotham City Sirens'' was set to be directed by David Ayer, with a script from [[Geneva Robertson-Dworet]].<ref name="DC-THR"/> The project was originally scheduled to begin production mid-2017, though the film was delayed due to the production team's busy schedules on other projects,<ref name="DC-THR"/> and in favor of ''Birds of Prey''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/markhughesfilms/status/811995249887289344|title=Mark Hughes on Twitter|access-date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/harley-quinn-movie-r-rated-margot-robbie/#cathy-yan|title=The Harley Quinn Spinoff Might Be an "R-Rated Girl Gang Film", Says Margot Robbie|website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=May 8, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611151645/http://collider.com/harley-quinn-movie-r-rated-margot-robbie/#cathy-yan|archive-date=June 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the project's delay, Ayer continued to work on developing the film,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.christianpost.com/news/director-david-ayer-debunks-rumors-suggesting-gotham-city-sirens-is-dead-211369/|title=Director David Ayer Debunks Rumors Suggesting 'Gotham City Sirens' Is Dead|date=December 26, 2017|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000508/https://www.christianpost.com/news/director-david-ayer-debunks-rumors-suggesting-gotham-city-sirens-is-dead-211369/|archive-date=September 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-david-ayer-gotham-city-sirens-paul-dini/|title=Suicide Squad Director Meets With Gotham City Sirens Creator|website=[[Screen Rant]]|date=August 2, 2018|access-date=October 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929000505/https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-david-ayer-gotham-city-sirens-paul-dini/|archive-date=September 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> but later stated that the film was on hold.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 8, 2020|title='Gotham City Sirens' on Hold, 'Bright 2' Still in the Works Says David Ayer [TCA 2020]|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/bright-2-update/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[/Film]]}}</ref>
* Untitled Deadshot film: In December 2016, a film centered around Floyd Lawton / Deadshot was announced to be in development.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/suicide-squad-deadshot-spinoff-in-the-works-at-warner-brothers/|title=Suicide Squad Deadshot Spinoff In The Works At Warner Brothers|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=December 13, 2016}}</ref>
* Untitled Harley Quinn film: By May 2020, Warner Bros. was in talks to make another Harley Quinn film set after ''The Suicide Squad''.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Jenna|last=Anderson|date=May 28, 2020|title=Warner Bros. Reportedly in Talks Over Next Harley Quinn Movie|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/birds-of-prey-sequel-harley-quinn-movie-gotham-city-sirens/|access-date=May 30, 2020|website=ComicBook}}</ref>

=== #ReleaseTheAyerCut movement ===
Concurrent to the similar #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement around ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'', fans also began the #ReleaseTheAyerCut campaign. Calls strengthened following the announcement of ''[[Zack Snyder's Justice League]]'' in May 2020 due to the success of the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut movement campaign, garnering support from the director and writer David Ayer. He has requested assistance in bringing his own vision into [[HBO Max]], where Snyder's cut was released in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Bradley |last=Russell |title=Suicide Squad Ayer Cut is real and now the director wants your help to get it released on HBO Max|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/suicide-squad-ayer-cut-hbo-max-release-request/|access-date=August 4, 2020|website=SFX Magazine|date=July 2, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|date=May 21, 2020|title='Suicide Squad' fans call for release of Ayer Cut following 'Justice League' announcement|url=https://www.nme.com/news/film/suicide-squad-fans-call-for-release-of-ayer-cut-following-justice-league-announcement-2673454|access-date=August 4, 2020|magazine=NME}}</ref> The following are some notable ideas and subplots that were filmed but left out, as well as several reshoots and script alterations that took place during post-production:

* The first 40 minutes of the film were cut with sections of it potentially being used for the flashbacks in the film.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Russel|first=Bradley |date=November 2, 2020 |title=David Ayer says his original Suicide Squad cut was "ripped to pieces" by the studio|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/uk/david-ayer-says-his-original-suicide-squad-cut-was-ripped-to-pieces-by-the-studio/|access-date=April 16, 2021|website=Total Film}}</ref> 
* The third act was changed with the Joker originally having an influence within it,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alexander |first=Susannah |date=May 19, 2020|title=Suicide Squad director David Ayer confirms his original plans for DC film's ending|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a32598088/suicide-squad-original-ending-david-ayer/|access-date=April 16, 2021|publisher=Digital Spy}}</ref> with the majority of Leto's scenes being omitted from the theatrical cut,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/suicide-squad-jared-leto-joker-scenes-cut-deleted-1201831587/ |title='Suicide Squad': Jared Leto Addresses How Many Joker Scenes Were Cut |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |first=Lamarco |last=McClendon |date=August 5, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/suicide-squad-jared-leto-says-917290 |title='Suicide Squad': Jared Leto Teases Joker Scenes That Were Cut From the Movie |magazine=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |first=Eli |last=Flesch |date=August 4, 2016 |access-date=August 31, 2016}}</ref> which upset Leto.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Osborn |first1=Alex |title=Joker Actor Jared Leto Reportedly Feels He Was "Tricked" Into Suicide Squad |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/16/joker-actor-jared-leto-reportedly-feels-he-was-tricked-into-suicide-squad |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=January 3, 2017 |date=August 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Matt |title=Suicide Squad: Jared Leto Says He Shot Enough Joker Material for a Whole Movie, Lobbied for R Rating |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/08/suicide-squad-jared-leto-says-he-shot-enough-joker-material-for-a-whole-movie-lobbied-for-r-rating |website=[[IGN]] |access-date=January 3, 2017 |date=August 8, 2016}}</ref>
* Diablo would have originally survived.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Seddon|first=Dan|date=July 31, 2018|title=This Suicide Squad character was meant to survive|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a862851/suicide-squad-character-originally-survived/|access-date=April 16, 2021|publisher=Digital Spy}}</ref>
* Harley Quinn, Slipknot, Batman, Enchantress, and Katana originally had larger roles, with Katana having become possessed and attacking the team at one point.<ref>{{Multiref2|{{Cite web|date=April 11, 2020|title=Why Suicide Squad Director David Ayer Says Harley Quinn's Story Arc Was 'Eviscerated'|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2494298/why-suicide-squad-director-david-ayer-says-harley-quinns-story-arc-was-eviscerated|access-date=April 16, 2021|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}|{{Cite web|date=June 1, 2020|title=Slipknot Actor Adam Beach Teases Cool Deleted Backstory In David Ayer's Suicide Squad Cut, And Ayer Chimes In|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-slipknot-backstory-details-deleted-david-ayer/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}|{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2020|title=Sounds Like Suicide Sqaud's Ayer Cut Could Include More Batman|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2550905/sounds-like-suicide-sqauds-ayer-cut-could-include-more-batman|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}|{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2020|title=Suicide Squad: How The Director's Cut Is Different To 2016's Version|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-directors-cut-2016-theatrical-version-differences/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}|{{Cite web|date=June 30, 2020|title=Suicide Squad's Ayer Cut Had a Larger Role for Katana|url=https://www.cbr.com/suicide-squads-katana-bigger-role/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]}}|{{Cite web|date=May 25, 2020|title=Suicide Squad Director Reveals Epic Deleted Scene For Katana|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2546843/suicide-squad-director-reveals-epic-deleted-scene-for-katana-david-ayer|access-date=April 16, 2021|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}}}</ref>
* Scenes showing Harley and Joker's abusive relationship were removed from the theatrical cut.<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2020|title=Suicide Squad: How The Director's Cut Is Different To 2016's Version|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-directors-cut-2016-theatrical-version-differences/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}</ref>
* A Killer Croc line was added for the theatrical cut without Ayer's input.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Chanliau|first=Pierre|title=David Ayer Reveals One of Killer Croc's Controversial Suicide Squad Lines Wasn't Written by Him|url=https://thedirect.com/article/david-ayer-reveals-one-of-killer-crocs-controversial-suicide-squad-lines-wasnt-written-by-him|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=thedirect.com|date=July 2020}}</ref>
* [[Geoff Johns]] added Quinn being an accomplice to [[Robin (character)|Robin]]'s murder to the theatrical cut.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nebens|first=Richard|title=David Ayer Says Geoff Johns Broke His Suicide Squad Timeline with Harley Quinn Addition|url=https://thedirect.com/article/david-ayer-says-geoff-johns-broke-his-suicide-squad-timeline-with-harley-quinn-addition|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=The Direct|date=June 4, 2020}}</ref>
* Parts of the original score were replaced with pop songs for the theatrical cut.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/DavidAyerMovies/status/1281478867748655104 |title=No I haven't. No it's much more score based. |user=DavidAyerMovies |last=Ayer |first=David |number=1281478867748655104 |date=July 10, 2020 |access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref>
* The final cut was taken away from Ayer and instead handed to trailer production company, [[Trailer Park, Inc.]]<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Canfield|first=David|date=August 3, 2016|title=Suicide Squad Was Literally Re-Edited by a Company That Makes Trailers|url=https://slate.com/culture/2016/08/new-report-reveals-suicide-squad-drama-from-behind-the-scenes.html|access-date=April 17, 2021|magazine=Slate Magazine}} 
</ref>

After the fan's campaign was launched, Ayer later stated in July how his vision was changed due to the success of ''[[Deadpool (film)|Deadpool]]'' and the negative criticism received by Snyder's ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'', highlighting an early trailer that "nailed the tone and intention of the film [he] made", saying that his "soulful drama was beaten into a 'comedy'".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Ayer |first=David |author-link=David Ayer |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=1266736445911252993 |date=May 30, 2020 |title=This trailer nailed the tone and intention of the film I made. Methodical. Layered. Complex, beautiful and sad. |access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=July 20, 2020|title=Suicide Squad Fans Are Making A Huge Push Today To Get David Ayer's Cut Released|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2550672/suicide-squad-fans-are-making-a-huge-push-today-to-get-david-ayers-cut-released|access-date=August 4, 2020|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}</ref> Later that month, Ayer confirmed that a [[director's cut]] for ''Suicide Squad'' "definitely exists" and requested that [[AT&T]] "[let] it see the sunlight".<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Ayer |first=David |author-link=David Ayer |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=1278424183526043650 |date=July 1, 2020 |title=Cut definitely exists – you'll need to ask @ATT and @hbomax to let it see the sunlight |access-date=August 4, 2020}}</ref> Ayer also confirmed that the official movie novelization by [[Marv Wolfman]] is closer to his original cut than the cinematic release.<ref>{{Cite tweet |last=Ayer |first=David |author-link=David Ayer |user=DavidAyerMovies |number=1314011618032914433 |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Yes. |access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref> Affleck's stunt double Richard Cetrone said the film would have included "more Batman".<ref>{{Cite web|date=July 23, 2020|title=Sounds Like Suicide Sqaud's Ayer Cut Could Include More Batman|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2550905/sounds-like-suicide-sqauds-ayer-cut-could-include-more-batman|access-date=August 4, 2020|website=CINEMABLEND}}</ref> Many ''Suicide Squad'' cast and crew members, and other directors of DCEU movies or actors, have voiced their support for a release of the director's cut.<ref>{{Multiref2|{{Cite web|date=January 6, 2021|title=Jared Leto Is Backing An 'Ayer Cut' Suicide Squad Release|url=https://gamerant.com/jared-leto-ayer-cut-suicide-squad/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[Game Rant]]}}|{{Cite web|last=Wilding|first=Josh|date=June 1, 2020|title=SUICIDE SQUAD Star Adam Beach Reveals Scrapped Slipknot Scenes From The "Ayer Cut"|url=https://www.comicbookmovie.com/suicide_squad/suicide-squad-star-adam-beach-reveals-scrapped-slipknot-scenes-from-the-ayer-cut-a175752|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=Comic Book Movie}}{{better source needed|date=July 2021}}|{{Cite web|date=January 26, 2021|title=Joel Kinnaman lends his support to The Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad and Jared Leto's Joker|url=https://www.flickeringmyth.com/2021/01/joel-kinnaman-lends-his-support-to-the-ayer-cut-of-suicide-squad-and-jared-letos-joker/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=Flickering Myth}}|{{Cite web|date=November 18, 2020|title=Suicide Squad's Margot Robbie Reacts To Calls For The Ayer Cut|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2558942/suicide-squads-margot-robbie-reacts-to-calls-for-the-ayer-cut|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}|{{Cite tweet |last=Fisher|first=Ray |user=ray8fisher |number=1303519870265556993 |date=September 9, 2020 |title=I know what I want for my next birthday: #ReleaseTheAyerCut |access-date=July 31, 2021}}|{{Cite tweet |last=Olivia |first=Jay |user=jayoliva1 |number=1374098955806466050 |date=March 22, 2021 |title=I for one would love to see @DavidAyerMovies cut! |access-date=July 27, 2021}}|{{Cite tweet |last=Eastwood|first=Scott |user=LightsCameraPod |number=1278797914693939203 |date=July 2, 2020 |title=Scott Eastwood talked to us about @DavidAyerMovies, what got in the way of 'Suicide Squad' and the possibility of a director's cut. |access-date=July 31, 2021 }}|{{Cite tweet |last=Porter|first=Ray |user=Ray__Porter |number=1420857637030162435 |date=July 29, 2021 |title=You are an honorable person. And I love your movies. All respect to you sir. |access-date=July 31, 2021}}|{{Cite web|title=Suicide Squad Star Jay Hernandez Hopeful for Ayer Cut Reveal at DC FanDome|url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/suicide-squad-star-jay-hernandez-hopeful-for-ayer-cut-reveal-at-/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[ComicBook.com]]|date=June 19, 2020 }}|{{Cite web|title=Suicide Squad star responds to #ReleaseTheAyerCut campaign|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/suicide-squad-ayer-cut-katana/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=[[Radio Times]]}}|{{Cite web|date=December 21, 2020|title=After Justice League, Snyder Wants To Get The Suicide Squad Director's Cut Made|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-movie-ayer-cut-zack-snyder-response/|access-date=April 18, 2021|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}|{{Cite web|date=May 27, 2020|title=James Gunn Breaks Silence On Calls For Suicide Squad's Ayer Cut|url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2546985/james-gunn-breaks-silence-on-calls-for-suicide-squads-ayer-cut|access-date=April 18, 2021|website=[[CinemaBlend]]}}|{{Cite web|date=June 1, 2020|title='Birds of Prey' Director Throws Support Behind 'Suicide Squad' Ayer Cut: I Know the Pain|url=https://movieweb.com/suicide-squad-ayer-cut-director-cathy-yan-responds/|access-date=April 18, 2021|website=[[MovieWeb]]}}|{{Cite web|date=June 14, 2021|title=Suicide Squad Editor Explains How Different Ayer's Cut is to WB's Release|url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-ayer-cut-theatrical-differences-explained-editor/|access-date=June 14, 2021|website=[[Screen Rant]]}}|{{Cite web|date=July 22, 2021|title='Suicide Squad' Star Jai Courtney Supports Releasing a David Ayer Cut Of the First Film|url=https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/suicide-squad-jai-courtney-supports-david-ayer-cut.html/|access-date=July 27, 2021|website=Cheat Sheet}}}}</ref>

In March 2021, [[Ann Sarnoff]], the then-chairman and [[chief executive officer|CEO]] of Warner Bros., said that the company had no intentions to release Ayer's cut of the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/zack-snyder-justice-league-suicide-squad-ray-fisher-warnermedia-1234935580/|title=WarnerMedia's Ann Sarnoff on 'Zack Snyder's Justice League' and DC's Future|date=March 22, 2021|access-date=March 22, 2021|first=Brent|last=Lang|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref> Ayer responded to Sarnoff's comments on Twitter asking "Why?".<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=March 30, 2020|title=David Ayer has hope for his Suicide Squad cut after Zack Snyder's Justice League: 'I made an amazing movie'|url=https://ew.com/movies/david-ayer-cut-suicide-squad/|access-date=March 30, 2020|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]}}</ref> Despite Sarnoff's comments, fans have continued to campaign for the cut, with the phrase "Release the Ayer Cut" trending on [[Twitter]] with 80 thousand tweets on March 22,<ref>{{Cite web|title="Release the Ayer Cut" Trends After WarnerMedia Announces They Won't Release Suicide Squad Ayer Cut|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/suicide-squad-release-the-ayer-cut-trending-topic-twitter/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=DC|date=March 22, 2021}}</ref> and again on April 16, reaching over 100 thousand tweets.<ref>{{Cite web|date=April 16, 2021|title=#ReleaseTheAyerCut Trends Again as DC Fans Renew Call for 'Suicide Squad' Restoration|url=https://movieweb.com/suicide-squad-release-the-ayer-cut-trending/|access-date=April 17, 2021|website=Movieweb}}</ref> Ayer once again criticized the theatrical cut of ''Suicide Squad'' on before praising James Gunn's sequel in July, adamantly stating that "the studio cut [was] not [his] movie".<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Shanfield |first1=Ethan |title=David Ayer Slams Studio Cut of 'Suicide Squad', Praises James Gunn's New Movie |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/david-ayer-suicide-squad-directors-cut-1235030787/ |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=July 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210729235501/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/david-ayer-suicide-squad-directors-cut-1235030787/ |archive-date=July 29, 2021 |date=July 29, 2021 |url-status=live}}</ref>

In an April 2022 interview, actor [[Jay Hernandez]] reaffirmed his support for the cut's possible release. According to Hernandez, co-stars like Leto and Kinnaman and everyone else that he had talked to were in full support of the release. Hernandez suggested that a streaming service like HBO Max should release the cut. HBO Max stated that there were no plans currently to release the cut.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Suicide Squad's #TheAyerCut Deserves HBO Max Release, Says Jay Hernandez (And Not Just Because He Survived It)|url=https://tvline.com/2022/04/10/suicide-squad-the-ayer-cut-alternate-edit-hbo-max/|last=Mitovice|first=Matt Webb|website=[[TVLine]]|date=May 10, 2022|access-date=May 19, 2022}}</ref> Ayer later said in May that his cut would only require finishing the VFX work and that no reshoots would be needed.<ref>{{cite tweet |url=https://twitter.com/DavidAyerMovies/status/1527723063885938688 |title=No need for reshoots. Just some VFX work. |user=DavidAyerMovies |last=Ayer |first=David |number=1527723063885938688 |date=May 20, 2022 |access-date=May 20, 2022}}</ref> Ayer held a private screening for the admin of the official Twitter account for the #ReleaseTheAyerCut movement in October that shed further light on the state of his cut after sharing the shooting script with them in the previous year.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Northrup  |first1=Ryan |title=David Ayer Confirms He Showed Suicide Squad Director's Cut To Fan |url=https://screenrant.com/suicide-squad-directors-cut-david-ayer-fan-screening/ |website=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=October 7, 2022 |date=October 7, 2022}}</ref> In August 2023, Ayer said that he talked about his director's cut with James Gunn and stated that it will be probably released sometime in the future,<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Sharf |first=Zack |date=August 7, 2023 |title=David Ayer Says James Gunn 'Told Me' the 'Suicide Squad' Ayer Cut 'Would Have Its Time to Be Shared' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/david-ayer-james-gunn-suicide-squad-ayer-cut-release-1235689924/ |access-date=November 23, 2023 |magazine=Variety}}</ref> but in January 2024, Ayer ceased supporting the release of his director's cut, citing a lack of interest by Warner Bros. and his desire to move on from it as the reason.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://comicbookmovie.com/suicide-squad/david-ayer-has-given-up-on-his-ayer-cut-of-suicide-squad-the-studio-has-no-interest-a208654 | title=David Ayer Has Given up on His "Ayer Cut" of SUICIDE SQUAD: "&#91;The&#93; Studio Has No Interest" | date=January 4, 2024}}</ref> Despite that, in August 2024, Ayer returned to campaigning for his director's cut once again.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.superherohype.com/movies/581084-suicide-squad-david-ayer-cut-release | title=Suicide Squad Director Calls for Ayer Cut's Release on DC Movie's 8th Anniversary | first=Brandon | last=Schreur | website=Superhero Hype | date=August 5, 2024 | access-date=September 4, 2024}}</ref> Ayer stated in a 2025 interview with ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' that [[James Gunn]] was still interested in releasing his cut, but wanted to "first get some scores on the board".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Davids |first=Brian |date=March 25, 2025 |title=David Ayer on 'A Working Man', Reuniting With Brad Pitt and Patiently Awaiting His 'Suicide Squad' Cut Release |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/working-man-director-david-ayer-1236172675/ |access-date=June 8, 2025 |magazine=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref>

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Runtime">{{Cite web |title=''Suicide Squad'' (15) |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/suicide-squad-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00mzqznjy |website=[[British Board of Film Classification]] |access-date=December 14, 2025 |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="BFI">{{Cite web |title=Suicide Squad (2016) |url=https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/Details/ChoiceFilmWorks/154553106 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=April 19, 2022}}</ref>

<ref name="AFI">{{Cite web |title=''Suicide Squad'' |url=https://catalog.afi.com/Film/70909-SUICIDE-SQUAD |website=[[AFI Catalog of Feature Films]] |access-date=January 15, 2026}}</ref>

<ref name="CastCollider">{{cite web |first=Dave |last=Trumbore |title=Suicide Squad Cast Reveals First Trailer At Comic-Con |url=https://collider.com/suicide-squad-comic-con-panel-recap-trailer/#trailer-description |website=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=July 11, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712215842/http://collider.com/suicide-squad-comic-con-panel-recap-trailer/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CastCroc">{{cite web |url=https://www.thewrap.com/adewale-akinnuoye-agbaje-to-play-killer-croc-in-wbs-suicide-squad-exclusive/ |title=Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje to Play Killer Croc in WB's 'Suicide Squad' (Exclusive) |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |website=[[TheWrap]] |date=March 31, 2015 |access-date=March 31, 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="CastSlipKnot">{{cite news |url=http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/entertainment/movies/Adam-Beach-to-play-DC-Comics-villian-Slipknot-in-new-film-299234671.html |title=Adam Beach to play DC Comics villain Slipknot in new film |work=Winnipeg Free Press |last=Woods |first=John |date=April 9, 2015}}</ref>

<ref name="CastTelegraph">{{cite web |first=Rebecca |last=Hawkes |title=Suicide Squad: everything you need to know |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/suicide-squad/spoilers-rumours-news-cast-jared-leto-margot-robbie/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=May 26, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-date=June 6, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150606161013/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/suicide-squad/spoilers-rumours-news-cast-jared-leto-margot-robbie/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CastVariety">{{cite web |first=Justin |last=Kroll |title='Suicide Squad' Cast Revealed: Jared Leto to Play the Joker, Will Smith is Deadshot |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/suicide-squad-cast-revealed-jared-leto-to-play-the-joker-will-smith-is-deadshot-1201368867/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=December 2, 2014 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626125327/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/suicide-squad-cast-revealed-jared-leto-to-play-the-joker-will-smith-is-deadshot-1201368867/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CastVarietyMisc">{{cite web |title='Suicide Squad': First Cast Photo Revealed |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/suicide-squad-first-cast-photo-revealed-1201468975/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 8, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-date=June 26, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626105028/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/suicide-squad-first-cast-photo-revealed-1201468975/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CastWaller">{{cite news |first=David |last=Eckstein |title='Suicide Squad' Cast Rolls Into Comic-Con After All |url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-dartboard/suicide-squad-cast-rolls-into-comic-con-after-all |work=[[HitFix]] |date=July 11, 2015 |access-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-date=July 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150712215538/http://www.hitfix.com/the-dartboard/suicide-squad-cast-rolls-into-comic-con-after-all |url-status=live}}</ref>

<ref name="CastWaller2">{{cite news |first1=Fred |last1=Topel |url=http://www.nerdreport.com/2015/01/07/viola-davis-talks-amanda-waller-suicide-squad/ |title=Viola Davis Talks Amanda Waller in 'Suicide Squad' |publisher=nerdreport.com |date=January 7, 2015 |access-date=February 19, 2015 |archive-date=February 12, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212034000/http://www.nerdreport.com/2015/01/07/viola-davis-talks-amanda-waller-suicide-squad/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

<ref name="FlagSpelling">{{cite web |url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2014/12/02/breaking-news-the-suicide-squad-is-cast |title=Breaking News: The Suicide Squad is Cast! |last=Beedle |first=Tim |work=DC Comics |date=December 2, 2014 |access-date=July 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714215653/http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2014/12/02/breaking-news-the-suicide-squad-is-cast |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |url-status=live  }}</ref>
}}

==External links==

{{commons category}}
* {{Official website|https://www.warnerbros.com/movies/suicide-squad/}}
* {{IMDb title|1386697}}
* {{Mojo title|suicidesquad2016}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|suicide_squad_2016}}

{{Suicide Squad}}
{{Batman in film}}
{{Batman in popular media}}
{{Harley Quinn}}
{{DC Extended Universe}}
{{DC Comics films}}
{{David Ayer}}


[[Category:Suicide Squad (film series)]]
[[Category:2016 American films]]
[[Category:2016 English-language films]]
[[Category:2010s fantasy action films]]
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[[Category:2016 films]]
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[[Category:American action adventure films]]
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[[Category:Fiction about familicide]]
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[[Category:Films based on works by Paul Dini]]
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[[Category:Films that won the Academy Award for Best Makeup]]
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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Suicide Squad (2016 film)|access_date=2026-03-06}}