James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is eyeing Idris Elba to replace Will Smith as Deadshot, following reports last month that Smith would not be returning due to scheduling conflicts.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Elba, who was the first and only choice considered for the role of Deadshot following Smith's exit, met with Gunn last week and began talks to board The Suicide Squad shortly thereafter. News of Elba boarding The Suicide Squad comes less than a week after Will Smith's departure was announced and reports suggested Warner Bros. was looking to recast the role.

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The Suicide Squad is expected to utilize mostly new characters who did not appear in David Ayer's Suicide Squad, though reports indicate Viola Davis and Margot Robbie are reprising their roles as Amanda Waller and Harley Quinn, respectively. Sources for THR shared conflicting reports on the status of Rick Flagg, previously portrayed by Joel Kinnaman, in the film with several sources confirming the character would return for Gunn's film, while another said the character would not appear.

Written and directed by James Gunn, The Suicide Squad is set to hit theaters Aug. 6, 2021.

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