(Picture credit to the Wrap)
The Wrap is reporting that Jake Gyllenhall is the frontrunner to replace Tom Hardy after he has exited Suicide Squad. Tom Hardy was originally reported to be playing the role of 'Rick Flagg' in the film. According to the Wrap, Hardy was forced to exit the project due to scheduling conflicts with another film which meant that he did not have enough time to devote to the movie.
Latino Review claimed that Hardy exited the project because he disliked the script and drastic changes to the character. This rumor claimed that the script emphasized the Joker and Deadshot over Rick Flagg, although Flagg's character is the leader of the Suicide Squad. The outlet claims that these characters get more screen time, and that may have been a contributing factor in Hardy's departure.
Our analysis is that this is all very unfortunate timing. It is also concerning slightly to hear that Hardy may have not been the biggest fan of the script. The most concerning news is how close this exit comes to the start of shooting which is in a few months. Hopefully this news will not delay the project, although if Gyllenhall is cast, there should not be too much of a delay. The emphasis on Joker was expected,with Harley Quinn's character in the movie.
Suicide Squad is currently set for release on August 5, 2016. Justin Marks will be writing the Screenplay, and David Ayer is assigned to directing the movie. It will be the third installment in the DCU after Dawn of Justice, and the first DC movie to be centered directly around villains. Shooting begins in april, after two months of pre-production in Toronto, Canada.
