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Summary
Demand for the release of David Ayer’s original cut ofSuicide Squadhas not ceased despite the Zack Snyder-led DC Extended Universe being long gone.Since word came out that the critically panned theatrical version in 2016 was not what its director had initially filmed and compiled, Warner Bros has been under pressure to pacify fans' hunger for the director’s cut. Although the trailer ofCreature Commandosresurrected such voices due to the Max animated series' similarities with the lore, there seems to be a consensus that Ayer’s vision, now referred to as the “Ayer cut,” is dead in the water.
After the successful campaign for the release ofZack Snyder’s Justice League—another victim of studio interference—there seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel forSuicide Squad.However,James Gunn’s highly praised soft reboot,The Suicide Squad, and the subsequent dissolution of the DCEU in place of a new DC Universe has dimmed any hopes. Still, precedence suggests that there’s still a viable, although slim, path to the realization of the director’s version.Creature Commandosand upcoming flicks such asSuperman, if successful,could prove to be an unlikely ally to Ayer and his fans.
$749.2 million
Rotten Tomatoes
26%
Suicide Squadsuffered the unlucky fate of being the first casualty of shifting preferences of studio executives. In response to the polarizing reception ofMan of SteelandBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice—aided by the underwhelming box office performance of the latter—Warner Bros executives decided to remodel the universe after the family-friendly approach of the more successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. This led to many of the original creative ideas in subsequent films likeSuicide Squadbeing left on the cutting room floor in favor of a lighter tone. Scenes, character arcs and designs that were considered unpalatable with the new tone were secretly refurbished. Notable edits included changes to the villain Incubus’ design andadjustments to Jared Leto’s Joker. The latter proved to be one of fans’ biggest grievances as the Clown Prince of Crime’s status as a pop culture icon became subject to ridicule.
Despite earning a solid $746 million at the box office,Suicide Squadwas disliked by critics and audiences alike because of shortcomings in storytelling and character development. According to Ayer, he has been—and remains—at the receiving end of the bad press that came with its release.Speaking toVariety, the filmmaker expressed the frustration of having his vision ripped from him. “I made a great movie. I made an amazing film. I’ll go on record. Anyone wants to dispute that: Come look me in the eye. To have something I put so much love and so much heart into get taken away, reengineered…you know that Eric Andre meme where he shoots the guy and says, ‘Why’d you do that?’ That’s been like ‘Suicide Squad.’ ‘Why’d you do that?’ I didn’t.”
The Ayer Cut Faces a Bleak Future
Zack Snyder’s Justice League’srelease proved that studios can still bend to fans’ will and raised hopes on demands for the release of the original version ofSuicide Squad. Sadly, this momentum and the vocal online campaign—which birthed hashtags like #Releasetheayercut—were not enough to secure a release. Worse, the better-reviewed James Gunn’s quasi-remake,The Suicide Squad,and the discontinuation of the Snyderverse have all but made Ayer’s version irrelevant.Alleged positive remarks by Gunn, now the co-creative head of the newly established DC Universe, seemed to keep the little hope left alive, but it did not go very far. Now, even Ayer seems to have come to terms with his movie never getting the justice it deserves.
Warner Bros’ reluctance to release the Ayer cut may be backed by solid concerns. The superior quality of the four-hourZack Snyder’s Justice Leagueover the theatricalJustice Leagueand the realization that the former’s original release could have saved the fate of the now-defunct DCEU made the studio, which was still reeling from the consequences of tampering with filmmakers' creative freedom, a subject of mockery.Thus, releasing the director’s cut to an underwhelming movie, considered superior to the latter by the few who have watched it, would not only invite renewed scrutiny of other past mistakes but could potentially be injurious to the yet unreleased movies of the DCU. Besides, what’s to stop fans from returning for more and demanding a release ofthe scrappedBatgirlmovie?
Creature Commandosand Superman Could Be the Key to the Ayer Cut
While unlikely, if there’s to be salvation for David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, it lies withCreature Commandos—the first outing under the DC Universe banner—and subsequent movies such asSuperman. The DCU, being new, is untested in the battlegrounds of post-pandemic cinema and the looming danger of the so-called “superhero fatigue.” The outstanding success of its first small-screen and big-screen outings would firmly re-establish faith in DC and Gunn’s vision of a shared universe. More importantly, it could allay fears of actions like releasing the Ayer cut putting the new universe in unfavorable discussions. A release of the Ayer Cut would also signal Warner Bros’ dedication to doing away with the controversy of their failed universe and wipe the slate. And unlikeZack Snyder’s Justice Leaguewhich needed $70 million to polish, Ayer’s cut apparently only needs a VFX touch or two to make it a finished product. Although there is a good chance thatthe Ayer cut may not be as good as it’s touted to be, to see the embattled filmmaker finally obtain justice would likely be satisfactory enough for many.
