‘Suicide Squad’ Director David Ayer on Seeing His Cut Released

The director, who has been flying the flag for his version of the 2016 super-anti-hero outing, is still engaging with both fans and detractors on social media.

The cast of director David Ayer's 2016 'Suicide Squad.' Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Even before the release of Zack Snyder’s version of ‘Justice League’ on steaming in 2021, David Ayer has been banging the drum for the release of the director’s cut of his own journey in the DC movie universe, 2016’s ‘Suicide Squad’.

Suicide Squad

"Worst. Heroes. Ever."

PG-132 hr 2 minAug 1st, 2016

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The movie, which featured the likes of Margot Robbie (in her first outing as Harley Quinn), Will Smith and Viola Davis, arrived in theaters and was quickly given a drubbing by critics. It went on to earn a respectable $746.8 million worldwide at the box office, but when you factor in budget (around $175 million) and marketing costs, it wasn’t seen as a big success. Ayer attributed a lot of that to the studio interfering with his vision, demanding a new cut and releasing an inferior version.

You can find his statement on that via twitter here:

Ayer’s new comments

Viola Davis as Amanda Waller in 2016's 'Suicide Squad.'

For years, the director has stoked the fires of support for what he calls the “Ayer Cut” of ‘Squad’ to see the light of day, and smacked down detractors who wish he’d stop, especially in light of Warner Bros. and DC moving on with James Gunn’s 2021 effort ‘The Suicide Squad’.

Now, though, it appears Ayer has the support of Gunn himself –– who has since gone on to run what is now known as DC Studios with producer Peter Safran –– and that Ayer’s version of the movie may eventually see screens.

Here’s what Ayer said to someone who questioned his ongoing crusade:

“There’s a genuine curiosity and interest from a lot of people. And I’m aware there is another group of people that have fun mocking the film. Your comment is a perfect example of how many are magnetically drawn to the 2016 film in a negative way. Have you ever had an experience in life that didn’t until the way you wanted, that dragged you, that made you rethink everything? I have.”

He then went on to drop Gunn’s name as a supporter of the film after reportedly having talks with the man in charge of the current iteration of the DC universe on big and small screens:

“All I know is my unseen film plays much better than the studio release. The interest in my cut being show seems real and organic. And Gunn told me it would have it’s time to be shared. He absolutely deserves to launch his DC universe without more drama about old projects. In a way I’m chained to this thing. I’m riding a tiger here and navigating this situation the best I can. Life is a very strange journey.”

You can find Ayer’s full statement on social media here:

Will it happen?

Whether the director’s preferred cut ever actually comes out is another matter. There is certainly interest in seeing it, but Gunn’s reassurances do feel a little like a parent telling a child they can have that candy if they behave. Still, there were plenty of naysayers when Snyder was talking up his ‘Justice League’ cut, so stranger things have happened.