Behind the Scenes: Suicide Squad Director David Ayer Reveals DC's Impact on His Film

Summary

David Ayer expresses his heartbreak over the changes made to Suicide Squad, stating that it "broke" him.

Ayer attributes the studio's decision to transform Suicide Squad into a comedy to the unfavorable response towards Batman v Superman. Throughout the years, discarded scenes from Ayer's Suicide Squad have revealed hints of achieving a more effective blend of lighthearted and intense moments.

Director David Ayer candidly discusses the alterations made by DC to his original vision for Suicide Squad. Prior to the highly praised release of James Gunn's The Suicide Squad in 2021, Ayer's 2016 film marked the team's debut in the DCEU. Despite its successful box office performance, Suicide Squad did not garner the same adoration from fans, with Ayer attributing this to the modifications made by DC. In a recent episode of Jon Bernthal's Real Ones podcast, Ayer openly shares his perspective on the matter.

Ayer was asked about his greatest disappointment in Hollywood, to which he admitted that it was the film Suicide Squad. He expressed how it deeply affected him, stating, "That situation tore me apart." The director then proceeded to provide more insight, recalling that he had just come off the successful war film Fury when he decided to take on Suicide Squad. Ayer explained that DC had never conducted a test screening for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice before its release, and the negative reception of the movie prompted the studio to make significant alterations to Suicide Squad, ultimately transforming it into a comedy. Take a look at the complete conversation below:

Bernthal: What has been the most heartbreaking experience you've encountered in the film industry?

Ayer: Hollywood — I tell people — is like watching someone you love get f---ed by someone you hate. The big one is Suicide Squad. That shit broke me. That handed me my ass.

Bernthal: How so?

What We Know About The Ayer Cut Of Suicide Squad

Yesterday: I came off the movie "Fury" with a sense of power and control over the town. I had the freedom to do anything, and I certainly took advantage of it. I embarked on a journey, taking along the authenticity and truthfulness of the film. We invested in thorough rehearsals, delving deep into each other's souls to create an extraordinary collaborative piece. And then... "Deadpool" premiered. Unlike "Batman v. Superman," they didn't bother testing the film before its release. They anticipated a different outcome, but were harshly criticized by the reviewers. Consequently, they decided to transform David Ayer's dark and soulful movie into a cruel comedy.

Over time, Ayer has tantalized fans with glimpses of what they can expect from the elusive Ayer cut of Suicide Squad. Leaks about the director's cut have also surfaced, revealing additional insights. One area that drew considerable criticism in Suicide Squad could potentially find redemption, as Jared Leto's Joker endured a compromised character arc due to extensive cuts to his scenes in the film.

Numerous scenes from the Ayer-cut version of Suicide Squad have been unveiled. In one noteworthy scene, Leto's Joker would have engaged with Enchantress, striking a deal to retrieve Harley Quinn and seize control as the "King of Gotham." Another scene establishes a connection between Suicide Squad and Justice League in 2017, as Enchantress employs a Mother Box, the very artifact sought after by Steppenwolf in Justice League.

Ayer's version of Suicide Squad seems to strike a satisfying balance between dark and light moments. Notably, one revealed scene features Ben Affleck's Batman remarking that Deadshot's daughter will have grey hair when they reunite. Furthermore, another scene portrays Rick Flag and June Moon being caught kissing by Amanda Waller, who jokingly suggests they employ "protection" to prevent the birth of the antichrist. Ayer recently disclosed Gunn's commitment to releasing the Ayer cut of Suicide Squad, offering audiences a genuine chance to witness Ayer's original vision for the film in the future.

Source: Real Ones