Mel Gibson To Direct Suicide Squad 2?

Warner Bros is on the lookout for directors for the 'Suicide Squad' sequel, and reportedly, Mel Gibson is one of the possibilities. As per reports by 'The Hollywood Reporter', Mel Gibson is in early talks with Warner Bros and is acquainting himself with the source material.

'I like directing much better. It's more fun, that's all there is to it. It's essentially the same job, which is storytelling, but you have more control over the way you want to tell the story. It's a high. I love it'

The original 'Suicide Squad' directed by David Ayer, although a huge box office success grossing more than 700 million worldwide met with a divisive response from critics. Warner Bros is looking to recreate that level of commercial success along with a more positive critical response with 'Suicide Squad' 2.

Warner Bros is no stranger to making controversial directorial choices as evident by their choice of Zack Snyder for 'Batman V Superman', a movie which was lambasted by critics worldwide. Mel Gibson, himself called it 'a piece of s–t'. Mel Gibson, however, tops the list of controversial directors given his personal troubles concerning minorities, especially evident in his extremely infamous anti-semitic tirade a few years back.

David Ayer and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn

However, one must separate art from the people creating the art, Mel Gibson, the man from Mel Gibson, famed director. History has proven time and again that, directors, who have been accused of lapses in character have gone on to make Academy Award nominated movies. Instead of vilifying Mel Gibson on the basis of his personal prejudices, he should be judged for his quality of work alone.

His directorial achievements speak for themselves as recently displayed in Mel Gibson’s most recent film, 'Hacksaw Ridge' which was nominated for six Academy Awards. Warner Bros interest in Mel Gibson no doubt stems from his work in 'Hacksaw Ridge', which marked a highly successful comeback for Mel Gibson and reaffirmed his directorial talents among the masses.

'Hacksaw Ridge' is the first film directed by Mel Gibson in a decade, since 'Apocalypto' (2006)

'Hacksaw Ridge', the story of a real-life World War 2 veteran marks Mel Gibson’s first directorial effort in a decade. Previously, Mel Gibson had consolidated his position as one of the best directors in the business, with his Oscar-winning war film, 'Braveheart' (1995) and the highly lauded apocalyptic, Mayan film 'Apocalypto' (2006). His films have been commercially successful as well, case in point the highly visceral, 'Passion of the Christ' (2004).

However, Mel Gibson has openly expressed his distaste for superhero movies. He didn't mince his words while criticizing superhero movies, in particular for their outrageous budgets and the gratuitous violence. Mel Gibson said he felt superhero movies were even more violent and gory than his own films, which have no dearth of violence themselves. Should Mel Gibson be Warner Bros choice, it will be Mel Gibsons first time working with a major production house since 'Braveheart' of Paramount Studios.

At this point, no official offer has been disclosed yet, and Warner Bros. is still on the lookout for other potential directors. Ruben Fleischer of 'Zombieland' fame and Jonathan Levine of 'Warm Bodies' fame are reported to be the front-runners. Daniel Espinosa whose upcoming film Life starring Ryan Renolds set for theatrical release in 2017, is also a distinct possibility.

In conclusion, Suicide Squad 2 directed by Mel Gibson, in all likelihood will probably be a better, more streamlined film than its predecessor, given Mel Gibson’s talents. Only time will tell as Warner Bros. begins production on Suicide Squad 2, due for release in 2019.