Suicide Squad 2 Starts Shooting in 2018?

It has been nearly a year sinceSuicide Squadfirst invaded theaters and, while we do know whatSuicide Squad 2is definitely happening, Warner Bros. hasn’t given us much in the way of solid information about the sequel. At least, based on what we do know, it doesn’t seem like the studio is rushing things, which is probably good. It looks like the sequel is coming together, though, as Joel Kinnaman has revealed that, as far as he knows,Suicide Squad 2will be shooting next year.

The actor, who starred as Rick Flag in the firstSuicide Squad, recently spoke withThe Hollywood Reporterin honor ofHouse of Cardsseason 5 arriving on Netflix. Joel Kinnaman, who expects to be back inSuicide Squad 2, was asked about the status of the movie and revealed that the plan is to shoot the sequel at some point in 2018. Here’s what he had to say about it.

“As far as I know they’re writing the script and I think the plan is to shoot it sometime in 2018, but that could change. I think I’ll definitely come back for it.”

Currently,Legend of Tarzan writer Adam Cozadis penning the script forSuicide Squad 2. David Ayer, who wrote and directed the first installment, famously only had six weeks to write it. So luckily Warner Bros. is giving Cozad a little more time to get thingstightened up for the sequel. David Ayer isn’t going to directSuicide Squad 2, at least not that we know of, since he is going to be directing the spin-off,Gotham City Sirens. However, if Joel Kinnaman has his way, David Ayer will be back in the director’s chair.

“Ultimately, I’d love for David Ayer to direct it, but if he doesn’t want to direct it then someone who is great with character and that’s able to ground the story and maybe put these characters in a more normal situation. It would be really interesting to see these crazy characters interact with regular people as well.”

At one point, it seemed likeSuicide Squad 2may be filming this year. Warner Bros. has shifted quite a few things around and, as a result, they only have oneDC Comics moviecoming out next year, which isAquaman. Unfortunately, that doesn’t hit theaters until December 2018. That means there will be more than a year-long gap afterJustice Leaguearrives before another DCEU movie arrives, unless another movie gets the green light soon.Suicide Squad 2looked like it might be a possibility, but if it isn’t going to shoot until 2018, that pretty much rules out any chance of a release within the same year.

In terms of a director, earlier this year it was reported thatMel Gibson was in talks to helm Suicide Squad 2, but we haven’t heard much else. It also hasn’t been confirmed which cast members from the firstSuicide Squadare going to return, but the core members of the anti-hero team, such as Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and Will Smith as Deadshot, are expected to reprise their roles for the sequel.