Michael De Luca will produce Suicide Squad 2, thereby indicating Warner Bros. change in strategy.

Ever since DC’s last release, Justice League failed to make its mark at the box office, with the critics coming heavily on the film and the studio, there have been talks of Warner Bros. trying to make some big changes.

As per Variety, DC has zeroed in on De Luca to produce their upcoming film Suicide Squad 2. The hiring of De Luca implies that WB’s now wants one main person to focus on a single film project rather one individual overlooking several new projects at a time.

Charles Roven, who will continue as Suicide Squad 2’s lead producer, is reportedly very happy with the decision. The film, to be written and directed by Gavin O’Connor will star Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto in lead roles.

Suicide Squad 2 is apart from Shazam will be the two projects to begin shooting in 2018. The production of the film is not likely to begin until fall this year.

The original film, Suicide Squad, which hit the theaters in August 2016, is the third film from the DC Extended Universe. The film received a lot of flak from critics with reviewers hailing it as the weakest film from Warner Bros.

The film was made at a budget of $175 million, not mentioning the promotion and advertising cost. However, it managed to collect a little more than $745 million worldwide. Hence Suicide Squad 2 is especially critical to Warner Bros. as it may decide the future of DC films.

De Luca, known mostly for his work in films like The Social Network, Moneyball, and Captain Phillips among many others is an interesting choice by WB. He also recently produced Cowboy Ninja Viking, Chris Pratt’s action comedy.

Suicide Squad 2 is not expected to hit the theaters until 2019.

Source: Variety