Los Angeles, CA – Following the recent release of “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,” the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has seemingly come to an end. However, one film from the franchise, “Suicide Squad” (2016), continues to grab attention for all the wrong reasons.
While it may not have garnered the same fervor as the fan campaign for the release of the “Snyder Cut” of “Justice League,” there is still a considerable number of people who hope to see the studio release the original cut of “Suicide Squad,” also known as the “Ayer Cut.” David Ayer, the filmmaker behind the movie, has voiced his support for James Gunn’s plans and hinted multiple times that his version of the film might eventually see the light of day.
Numerous reports suggest that Warner Bros. heavily altered Ayer’s vision after the negative response to “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Executives questioned the dark tone of the DCEU, leading to movies like “Aquaman” and “Shazam!” adopting a more light-hearted approach resembling the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This month, Ayer took to social media and seemingly conceded defeat. However, during interviews to discuss his upcoming project, “The Beekeeper,” he found himself once again answering questions about the ill-fated “Suicide Squad.” Ayer recently shared with Yahoo Movies the impact of the studio’s interference on Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn.
According to Ayer, the final act of the film was completely re-engineered, resulting in a distortion of Harley Quinn’s character. He emphasized that the original ending showcased Harley choosing to leave an unhealthy relationship with The Joker for the sake of friendship and support, a decision that was removed from the theatrical version. Ayer expressed disappointment at never receiving an apology for the changes made.
It is worth noting that in Ayer’s version of “Suicide Squad,” The Joker is eliminated from the final battle and Harley Quinn leaves him behind to join her Task Force X teammates, potentially leading to a romance with Deadshot. However, the theatrical release depicted The Joker freeing Harley from imprisonment and continuing their abusive relationship.
While “Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey” ultimately moved away from the Harley-Joker romance, Ayer’s frustration is understandable. James Gunn, the director of the upcoming “The Suicide Squad,” admitted that he has not discussed the future of Robbie’s Harley with her. Nevertheless, he expressed interest in working with her again, either as Harley or in a different role, but clarified that there are currently no plans for another actor to portray the character.
The question remains whether Warner Bros. will release the original version of “Suicide Squad,” the “Ayer Cut,” or if it is time to move on from this chapter of the DCEU.