LOS ANGELES – Director David Ayer’s hopes for the release of the “Ayer Cut” of “Suicide Squad” have been marred by uncertainty and disappointment. After initially abandoning the idea, Ayer reignited his campaign following the success of Zack Snyder’s director’s cut of “Justice League” and the formation of DC Studios by Warner Bros. Discovery. Ayer hinted that James Gunn had promised him the release of his original version but later backtracked, expressing his disillusionment with DC.
In an interview with Variety, Ayer lamented the fate of his film, declaring, “I made a great movie. I made an amazing film.” He voiced his frustration at seeing his work “taken away, reengineered,” likening it to the Eric Andre meme where he shoots someone and asks, “Why’d you do that?” Ayer vehemently disagreed with the changes made to “Suicide Squad” and the subsequent criticism he faced for a movie he believes he didn’t make.
Ayer acknowledged that every new movie release in the superhero genre rekindles discussions about his film, which is widely regarded as one of the worst in the DC Extended Universe. He expressed his dissatisfaction with being “attacked for something that I didn’t do” and criticized the impact of corporate interests on creative freedom. However, despite the setbacks, Ayer acknowledged the success and cultural impact of “Suicide Squad,” which grossed $747 million worldwide and introduced Margot Robbie’s popular character, Harley Quinn.
While recognizing that his version of the film will likely never see the light of day, Ayer maintained that he deserves a funeral screening for the cast and crew to appreciate their collective work. He expressed his desire for a final tribute, stating, “That would be fair for everyone.”
Although Ayer’s vision for “Suicide Squad” may forever remain unrealized, viewers can catch the film on streaming platforms such as Max and Netflix.