Yahoo News 7 ways Warner Bros can fix Suicide Squad 2
Among a bewildering slew of Warner Bros announcements this week came the news of its plans to fast-track Suicide Squad 2, with shooting due to potentially commence as early as 2018 for a 2019 release.
A script is in progress though no director is currently attached – reports suggested Mel Gibson was an early choice, and that Guy Ritchie had expressed an interest in taking the reins.
The first Suicide Squad made a whole heap of money and bagged a boat-load of negative reviews. If they're going to do another, here's how they can fix the sins of the original.
1. Don't let Guy Ritchie direct
There is going to be cynicism about SS2 from the off. So the worst thing Warner could do is give the movie to a director who is extremely, erm, polarising.
Ritchie is fresh off massive flop King Arthur: Legend of the Sword and, in a slightly odd move, is about to tackle the live-action remake of Aladdin. He's best known for ultra-masculine geezer-pleasers and would be the worst choice.
RELATED: The 16 most ridiculous moments in Suicide Squad
This isn't just about Ritchie-bashing, though. Choice of director will be absolutely key to the success of this film. David Ayer looked like a good pick for the first film initially with his strong action background and history of making hard, gritty, adult movies. Sadly, they didn't take into account that he's not so good with humour.
This time they need to choose someone with flair, style, a sense of humour and a slight streak of anarchy about them. James Gunn would have been good, but he's already quite busy, we're told. We're going to throw Sam Raimi out there.
2. Have a female involved
In an ideal world, of course, they'd find a female director. But given that's clearly not going to happen, we strongly recommend they hire a female scriptwriter to at least have a pass.
Jane Goldman would be strong – she's got comic-book cool credentials from Kick-Ass and Kingsman: The Secret Service. Then hopefully things like Harley's dream of two kids and a washing machine and Enchantress dancing about in her pants might get nipped in the bud.
3. Have a proper baddie
Talking of Enchantress, oh God, let's not even talk about Enchantress. She was terrible – and that's in the world of superheroes, where plenty of the villains are rubbish. Enchantress is possibly the worst.
This is a tricky one, though. The Suicide Squad themselves are supposed to be a band of outlaws so any old crime lord or corporate megalomaniac isn't going to cut it. Maybe embrace the villainous potential of the team and set them up against a superhero who's found themselves on Amanda Waller's bad side.
And can it not end with another giant CGI smackdown please?
4. Make the Squad actual villains
The Suicide Squad are supposed to be the worst of the worst – and thus far they're just the worst. Harley Quinn had to literally point out that they were "bad guys" (not that anyone thinks of themselves as 'bad guys', anyway) as she broke a window to… uh… steal a purse (see our point about female creatives above).
RELATED: 8 Suicide Squad moments cut from the film
Let's make them genuinely corrupt and dangerous – not just bland cyphers who have to remind us how bad they are. We live in a world which embraces anti-heroes, from Walter White to Claire Underwood – we can stand a bit of edginess. Let's have some actual bad behaviour, a bit of in-fighting and double-crossing perhaps.
The only unpredictable and scary character was Amanda Waller, and she was the best thing about the movie. Speaking of which...
5. More Amanda Waller
Viola Davis in Suicide Squad was a way bigger badass than the lot of them and we loved her for it. She offed an entire room full of interns for no good reason at all and gave precisely none of the shits. Her plan made zero sense, but we didn't care because she was the most interesting figure in the whole movie.
Bring Waller back and put her front and centre as the only one that can keep the Squad in check. They're monsters but she's the biggest monster of the lot.
6. Change up the team a bit
Deadshot – you and Harley Quinn are safe.
Diablo – think it's fair to say we won't be seeing you again.
Rick Flag and June Moone – you can do one, too. Send them off on a far-flung archaeological dig somewhere so she can break another ancient artefact.
Katana – who are ya? Bye.
The Joker – just no.
Crocodile Man and Australian beer-can man – you're on a final warning. Come back for the sequel if you must, but Killer Croc, please be an actual cannibal, and Captain Boomerang, a magic beer can and a stuffed toy are not personality traits. Grow some.
RELATED: Suicide Squad Extended Cut review – Is there oomph in the extras?
Now, let's add some newbies. Wonder Woman nemesis Cheetah is frenetic and terrifying, and her alter ego is an archaeologist who could prove that aren't all as crap at their jobs as June. Count Vertigo could bring some actual brains to the outfit. King Shark is a giant shark man – maybe he can make friends with Killer Croc?
DC has a ton of weird and wonderful villains to choose from. Why not take some time and choose a crew that we might actually find interesting?
7. Have a plot and have it make sense.
Once the new team's been assembled, they have personalities, some decent jokes and a proper baddie to fight, plus all the misogynist crap's been binned, then what you need is an actual story. What Suicide Squad had was not that. Let's have an arc, some peril, some surprises, a crisis point, a crescendo perhaps. All of the set pieces and soundtrack choices come second to that.
And please, make it make some actual sense.
Suicide Squad 2 is slated for a 2019 release.
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