Moviefone Editorial

Tag: david-ayer

  • Here Are the Deadshot and Harley Quinn Empire Covers for ‘Suicide Squad’

    suicide squad, suicide squad castEmpire magazine has continued its rollout of “Suicide Squad” character covers, with Will Smith‘s Deadshot and Margot Robbie‘s Harley Quinn the next to get their turn in the spotlight.

    Director David Ayer shared the covers on his Twitter page this week, and the images don’t disappoint. Ayer dubs Deadshot “The man who never misses,” and as Smith stares us down, it’s hard to disagree with that assessment. The actor’s intense gaze, badass suit of armor, and giant weapon strike an imposing figure, even more so when we see he exudes confidence and steadiness amid a fiery, chaotic scene in the background.

    Robbie’s cover takes a lighter approach, though of course, fans know there’s a sinister character lurking underneath her candy-coated exterior. She carries a large bat and wields a handgun gun, her arms covered in spiked bracelets; though she’s sporting a wide smile, the streaked mascara and jailhouse setting suggest that this “Daddy’s Lil’ Monster” — as her shirt proclaims — isn’t here to play nice.

    Ayer has already proclaimed that the flick will be what he dubs “Comic Book Movie 2.0,” and these covers certainly seem to reflect that. Audiences can judge for themselves when “Suicide Squad” hits theaters on August 5, 2016.

    [via: David Ayer, David Ayer]

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  • David Ayer Says ‘Suicide Squad’ Is ‘Comic Book Movie 2.0’

    It’s been promised time and time again that “Suicide Squad” will be a different breed of comic book movie, and now, director David Ayer is doubling down on that oath in a new interview.

    While speaking to Empire (as transcribed by Comic Book Movie), Ayer discussed the unconventional path that his flick will follow, and how it’s truly unlike other superhero — and supervillain — movies we’ve seen on the big screen before.

    “You know, all these movies are about defeating the evil alien robot from f–king Planet X, before it destroys the world with its ticking clock. And who the f–k cares?” Ayer told Empire. “But you do this story about struggle and isolation and people who have been s–t on that suddenly get thrown this lifeline… that’s not so bad… I like to think of this as the Comic Book Movie 2.0.”

    We agree that focusing on (and humanizing) the villain side of the equation is a unique approach, and based on the footage that we’ve seen so far, “Suicide Squad” certainly looks like nothing else that’s been onscreen before. And while the flick will indeed be different, according to filmmakers, it also has a significant place in DC’s upcoming Justice League film plan, earning its spot alongside other comic book greats.

    “It had this darkness and edge, while still tonally in the zone of what we’re trying to do with these movies,” producer Charles Roven told Empire.

    We can’t wait to see how it all comes together.

    “Suicide Squad” is due in theaters on August 5, 2016.

    [via: Empire, h/t Comic Book Movie]

    Photo credit: YouTube

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  • Jared Leto: Playing The Joker in ‘Suicide Squad’ Was ‘Very Painful’

    Jared Leto got a little more R-rated than just “very painful” when explaining how it felt to play The Joker in “Suicide Squad,” the DC Comics movie coming out in July 2016.

    Jared opened up to Empire Magazine in his first interview on the subject, first joking (via CBM) that “the Joker would probably just say ‘F–k you’ and hang up.” But Jared didn’t hang up, he talked about listening to 1920s gospel music and reading literature on shamans while playing the role. He also apparently called co-star Jim Parrack (Jonny Frost) with orders to do things like spray-paint roses black and fill a backpack with nails.

    Here’s more from Jared:

    There was definitely a period of…detachment. 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 those psychological games. But at the same time it was very painful, like giving birth out of my prick hole.”

    !!!

    That should be the new standard for male actor pain. The deep dive part is not a surprise, since co-star Will Smith said he still hasn’t even met Jared, he’s only met The Joker. Jared continued:

    I always get the sense that The Joker may be much older than people think. It’s something different. If you don’t break rules, you’re not going to strike new ground. I think I’ll be cooling down for the rest of my life.”

    Director David Ayer also gushed about Jared’s performance, calling The Joker “the third rail of comic book movies” but “by some freaking miracle, through the incredible things Jared has done and the photography and all the other millions of things that went into it, we’ve cooked up something transcendent. He’s scary.”

    Nice. Empire also shared a bunch of new photos. The one above, with Margot Robbie‘s Harley and the Joker, is from David Ayer himself, who tweeted with the shot, “Time for a little thereapy @MargotRobbie @JaredLeto #skwad.”

    The magazine also included a description of a scene from the movie. Here’s the rundown from CBM:

    It kicks off with Deadshot, Diablo, Boomerang, Slipknot, Harley Quinn, and Killer Croc on board a Chinook helicopter, joined by a small cadre of Navy SEALs. Both they and Task Force X are led by Rick Flag, but it’s then that someone else joins them; Katana. The twist here however is that she’s actually a volunteer, and Flag’s bodyguard! Here’s the dialogue from the sequence:

    “She’s got my back,” Flag informs the Squad. “I’d advise not getting killed by her – her sword traps the souls of its victims.” Harley extends her hand, perky and smirky. “Harley Quinn, nice to meetcha. Love your perfume. What is that: Stench of Death?”

    That sounds perfect, but were you expecting Killer Croc to act as Suicide Squad’s comedic relief?

    Read more here. Sound (and look) good so far? “Suicide Squad” will be released August 5, 2016.

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  • Will Smith and Margot Robbie Give ‘Suicide Squad’ Cast (Oddly Spelled) Tattoos

    The name of the movie is “Suicide Squad” but the ultimate squad goal is to get inked with “skwad.” Director David Ayer and cast had a visit to “Harley’s Tattoo Parlour” for some bonding tattoos, with at least one tat inked by Harley actress Margot Robbie herself in full character. Will Smith (Deadshot) got in on the act to tattoo Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg) and Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang) showed off his own “skwad” arm. (Do you think Harley is the one who gave Jared Leto’s Joker all his tattoos?)

    Here’s the photographic “skwad” proof, shared across social media (don’t skip the captions, especially Joel’s):

    #skwad #harleystattooparlour

    A photo posted by Jai Courtney (@jaicourtney) on

    #skwad #attemptingcivilizedsocialization

    A photo posted by Jai Courtney (@jaicourtney) on


    That’s our squad, er, skwad! “Suicide Squad” opens a little less than a year from now, on August 5, 2016.

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  • ‘Suicide Squad’ Trailer: Joker, Harley Quinn Get Biggest Comic-Con Reaction

    UPDATE: Warner Bros. has released a high-quality version of the “Suicide Squad” Comic-Con trailer, which can be viewed right here:
    PREVIOUSLY…

    “Suicide Squad” is still filming in Toronto, but director David Ayer and cast showed up at San Diego Comic-Con 2015 to promise fans a great movie and show the first big trailer. And of course that trailer was immediately leaked online.

    Watch the video below to see David Ayer basically do some D.C. vs. Marvel stand-up for the crowd, then introduce cast members Karen Fukuhara (Katana), Adam Beach (Slipknot), Cara Delevingne (Enchantress), Jay Hernandez (El Diablo), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), and Will Smith (Deadshot).

    Will Smith ends the video by saying, “This group right here, we are banging out something that is absolutely fantastic and stunning. And this guy right here, David Ayer, is the absolute truth, he is making something you are going to love.”

    David Ayer joked about the leaked set photos from their time filming on the streets, saying people had been shooting some footage with their iPhones, so here’s a little something he found online. Cue the trailer. And cue the bootleg version. Here’s a fan-shot video over here — and you can hear the crowd definitely sharing the strongest reactions for all the shots of Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and (especially) the few end-of-trailer glimpses of Jared Leto‘s Joker. It does seem like the Joker is being positioned as the real star of this movie, in part because of how secretive they’ve tried to be about him. Jared was not at Comic-Con and his character only appears at the end like a special treat.

    “Suicide Squad” is set for release August 5, 2016.

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  • David Ayer Hired an On-Set Therapist for the ‘Suicide Squad’ Cast

    Suicide SquadIf you thought Jared Leto sending creepy, in-character gifts to his “Suicide Squad” castmates was dark, just wait until you hear about the on-set therapist that director David Ayer hired to help actors cope with their alter egos’ evil deeds.

    That’s the latest scoop from Adam Beach, who plays Slipknot in the flick. In an interview with E! News, Beach said that Ayer has encouraged actors to be as method as possible while portraying their villainous characters (see Leto’s antics above), and that includes taking a more personal, psychological approach.

    “David Ayer is about realism,” Bech explained to E!. “So if your character is tormented, he wants you to torment yourself. He wants the real thing.”

    That type of intense preparation for the production has the potential to lead to some seriously twisted thinking, Beach said, and that’s why Ayer has hired someone to look out for his cast’s mental health. E! reports:

    “We kind of have like a therapist on board if you fall off the wagon and really are villainous,” Beach said. “There’s a friend of [Ayer’s] that’s very unique in making sure we have our ground.”

    He’s not a psychotherapist, but more of a “life coach,” Beach explained. “Us actors explore very fine thin lines going to the dark side and he wants to make sure we finish a movie and don’t disappear somewhere and then don’t show up for work.”

    That sounds like pretty heavy stuff, and the fact that Ayer is so worried about his actors’ psychological well-being should either excite or alarm audiences, depending on how interested they are in seeing the flick. With a name like “Suicide Squad,” the film was bound to be dark; it seems, however, that Ayer is going for pitch-black instead.

    We’ll get to see firsthand just how screwed up “Suicide” is soon; it’s due to hit theaters on August 5, 2016.

    [via: E! News]

    Photo credit: David Ayer

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  • ‘Suicide Squad’ Only Has Three Girls, But ‘They Have the Best Roles’

    What’s more important: Quantity or quality? Cara Delevingne is playing Enchantress in “Suicide Squad,” a superhero/villain movie based on the DC Comics characters, and she said the few female roles in the movie are the best roles.

    Will Smith has arguably the lead role as Deadshot, with Jared Leto as Joker, and Jai Courtney, Joel Kinnaman, Adam Beach, Jay Hernandez, Scott Eastwood, Common, Jim Parrack, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje picking up other main roles. But Margot Robbie has one of the most anticipated roles as Harley Quinn — she’s front and center in the character photo above — and Karen Fukuhara is taking on the role of Katana. Viola Davis plays Amanda Waller, who has no superpowers, but she’s the head of the agency so that’s its own power, even outside the Squad.

    Delevingne — who is everywhere lately — talked to Empire Magazine about the movie, and superhero films in general. “There are only three girls in [the Suicide Squad] but in my opinion they have the best roles,” she said (via Yahoo). “Generally though, superhero movies are totally sexist. Female superheroes are normally naked or in bikinis. No-one would be able to fight like that. Wonder Woman, how the hell does she fight? She would be dead in a minute.”

    At the very least Wonder Woman would be a little chilly on a cool night, but Harley Quinn also lacks a bit of cover-up, as the photo above hints. Plus, check out the pic below. Director David Ayer retweeted this Instagram pic from a fan who noted, “Crazy to think Harley Quinn is going to be on the big screen in just over a year. #DCCU @DavidAyerMovies”:

    Crazy to think Harley Quinn is going to be on the big screen in just over a year. #DCCU @DavidAyerMovies

    A photo posted by Geoff Johns (@geoffjohns0) on


    Size and clothing do not sum up a person’s powers, and we already figured Harley would be one of the best characters of “Suicide Squad.” Now we’re looking forward to seeing the other women in action as well. “Suicide Squad” is scheduled to be released on August 5, 2016.

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  • The ‘Suicide Squad’ Is ‘Ready for Battle’ in Director’s New Set Photos

    It’s on! The super villain movie “Suicide Squad” — starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, Scott Eastwood, and 100 other cool people — is still filming with director David Ayer at the helm. A bunch of cast and character photos were previously released by Ayer, and then several action shots were leaked while they filmed on the streets of Toronto. After the leaks, Ayer said the movie’s surprises were still intact, and he went dark on Twitter for a bit. But now he’s back, tweeting a few new set photos, including this one hinting to a major action scene:


    That’s some serious firepower. Speaking of serious, here’s a shot of some serious hardware, presumably also from the “Suicide Squad” set:


    And here’s a badass in shadow in what may or may not be a tease for Slade Wilson/Deathstroke:


    Rumor has it that Scott Eastwood will play Deathstroke, who is not to be confused with Will Smith’s Deadhshot. Thoughts on the battle ahead for this crew? “Suicide Squad” has an August 5, 2016 release date.

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  • Jared Leto’s Joker Looks Demonic in New ‘Suicide Squad’ Set Photos

    Maybe the Joker is going Sith on us?

    Fans will have to wait more than a year to see Jared Leto‘s Joker in action when “Suicide Squad” premieres, but he’s already earning *quite* a lot of commentary online. When director David Ayer shared the first photo of Joker — the one shown, in part, above — fans were quick to attack. When the movie shot on the streets of Toronto, more images were leaked showing Joker, Harley Quinn, and the Batmobile. Now photos ares making the rounds of Leto on set, trying to conceal his character — or at least hide his pale skin from the sun:

    His death stare may be from cameras (paparazzi?) taking his photo without permission. But that shot gives us another look at the Joker’s makeup (including hand tattoo) and unfortunate-looking teeth. JustJared has a few more photos, but what do you think of this Joker so far? Will you withhold judgment until the movie comes out on August 5, 2016?

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  • ‘Suicide Squad’ Director Says ‘Surprises Are Intact’ After Set Leaks

    “Suicide Squad” director David Ayer did not turn a blind eye to those leaks on his set, he’s just not that concerned about them. He may even have seen them as a welcome early PR boost for the 2016 Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto film, especially since (he says) the big stuff is still under wraps.

    Back on May 26, Ayer tweeted about heading to the streets to film some stunt scenes:

    Toronto thanked him back by visiting the “Suicide Squad” set, taking tons of photos and videos, and floating them online. You may recall seeing the Joker, Harley Quinn photo, or the Batmobile chasing the Jokermobile around Toronto, or Batman crouching on the roof of the Joker’s car. Ayer never posted anything while they leaks came out, but on May 31 he updated with this tweet:


    So he hopes you liked that little peek behind the curtain because there will be no more — unless he shares official updates, which he may do again. He was the one to share the first cast photo and look at the Joker, and he’ll probably do more stuff like that in the interim before the movie comes out on August 5, 2016.

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