The mysterious realm of cinematic universes, teeming with caped crusaders and malevolent foes, often has its treasure troves of secrets. One such secret, vehemently discussed in hushed whispers amongst the die-hard DC fans, is the fabled Ayer Cut of Suicide Squad.
Helmed by David Ayer, 2016’s Suicide Squad was a glimmering potpourri of exquisite characters, from Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn to Deadshot, as portrayed by Will Smith. Yet, its most enigmatic figure was Jared Leto’s Joker, draped in controversy even before its inception.
Ayer’s consistent affirmations that the theatrical Suicide Squad was “ripped to pieces” and the studio version butchered the initial vision sets a dark, melancholic backdrop to the film’s history. He often ruminates on Twitter about hardships faced during the making of the movie. One memorable instance being when he stated, “Life is a very strange journey,” hinting at the tumultuous journey of creating a piece of art and seeing it altered beyond recognition. Ayer laments the version of the film where Leto’s Joker played a more “terrifying” role, suggesting that the on-screen portrayal was but a ghost of his original conception.
What’s your advice on how to navigate this situation with grace? There’s a genuine curiosity and interest from a lot of people. And I’m aware of there is another group of people that have fun mocking the film. Your comment is a perfect example of how many are magnetically drawn… https://t.co/QZTZGUInAS
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) August 7, 2023
As waves of fresh photographs, including a new haunting image of Leto’s Joker, treat fans to glimpses of what could’ve been. Be it the test sculpture for Deadshot, the underwater Batman mask, or Leto’s Joker, each revelation deepens the enigma of Ayer’s Suicide Squad. A string of hashtags, most notably #releasetheayercut, fuels this fervor, echoing the sentiments that swayed the winds in favor of the Snyder Cut of Justice League.
Of course, we all know that Warner Bros. wasn’t all for the Snyder Cut either, so it’s best to keep expectations in check.
However, there’s a twist: James Gunn, alongside Peter Safran, now stand as the captains of the in-construction cinematic ship. With a relatively empty slate of upcoming films for the DC Universe for next year, the worst thing Warner Bros. Discovery can do is to take a gamble and give Ayer the creative reins to unleash his imagination and create Suicide Squad in his vision.
After all, after seeing Black Adam, Shazam! Fury of the Gods, and The Flash, all bomb at the global box office, it can’t do any worse.
Unfortunately, while the calls for the Ayer Cut grow louder, Gunn, having directed the quasi-sequel The Suicide Squad, has his sights set on uncharted horizons. Their vision? To build an integrated DC universe on the backs of timeless legends like Batman and Superman with relative unknowns and newcomers.
Gunn’s sentiments, encapsulated in his words, “telling the Biggest Story Ever Told,” signals a forward march for the DC Universe.
Then again, Ayer does claim that Gunn promised him that his version of Suicide Squad will see the light of the day. The only question now is, when?
Ultimately, what lies in the future for DC’s universe is as unpredictable as its villains. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom beckon as the next chapter, but the allure of the Ayer Cut lingers, representing a chapter fans yearn to read.
For now, as we look to the stars (or perhaps the theaters on August 18 for Blue Beetle), one can only hope that Ayer’s vision eventually finds its way to the silver screen, if only to quench the insatiable curiosity of fans around the world.
