Suicide Squad was a big mess. Was it an entertaining film? Yes, actually, if you dismiss the critical lens it is entertaining. In the aftermath of the theatrical launch, most people have wished in on their like or dislike of the film and its characters. On the day that the film dropped into theaters, the cast weighed in on the critical reception of the film, citing that they really didn’t understand all the hatred for the film. As they each left the theater, it was quite clear that something wasn’t right.
The only member of the cast to weigh in on the rumored cuts was Jared Leto. His portrayal of the Joker was supposed to be monumental, but in the finished cut of the film, its seemed as if he was trying too hard. He gave multiple statements saying that the majority of his role was cut from the film, and that it infuriated him. Then came word that Warner Bros. scrambled in the months since Batman v Superman hit theaters to recut the film in trying to ‘save’ the film. According to the report, Warner Bros. felt that Ayers cut of the film was too dark and somber.
‘Suicide Squad’ is one hell of a match made in heaven. Image: Warner Bros.
In an interesting twist, David Ayer gained the sympathy of everyone due to these forced cuts, but came out saying that the theatrical cut was his all along. He also said that there would be no ‘Ultimate’ edition releasing on Blu-ray. Why would you do this? There are so many questions surrounding this film, and the choices that Warner Bros. is making is just baffling.
We do know that a few scenes were deleted from the theatrical cut of Suicide Squad. You can see this by just watching the trailers, and then seeing the film. There is obviously a lot of additional scenes that were left on the cutting room floor.
Now a Reddit user called Naydawwwg has acquired a list of the rumored deleted scenes from the film. As you read through the list you will see that David Ayers version was a lot darker. The list shows a gruesome Killer Croc, a serial rapist, racism, and physical abuse. This is more along the lines of what a true Suicide Squad movie would look like.
The Joker looks like he is under attack in ‘Suicide Squad’. Image: Warner Bros.
Check out the complete list below:
In early cuts, the movie’s opening detailed June Moone’s posession by Enchantress in real-time. Reshoots reshuffled the scene to be later in the movie in flashback form in favor of a new opening centered on Deadshot.
Deadshot in the prison cell, watching the rain fall and thinking about his daughter.
El Diablo observing the flame of a lit match, before putting it out due to his vow to no longer use his powers.
El Diablo being escorted to a training center by being placed in a tube that fills with water to quel his flames, and then unceremoniously dropped onto the ground.
Early interviews mentioned Captain Boomerang’s racism and sexism, but the movie is light on examples of such behavior, which have apparently been deleted. Most of them were reportedly directed at Katana, to whom Boomerang is attracted to.
Early reports indicated more backstory for Killer Croc, revealing that he lived his entire life as a social outcast due to his physical deformities and has convinced himself that he is beautiful in his own way. Croc crossed paths with Batman while working as muscle-for-hire for numerous Gotham’s crime bosses, while secretly planning to take over one day. There were also scenes displaying his affinity for making sculptures out of discarded materials. Aside from jokes about Croc viewing himself as ‘beautiful,’ one of these were retained in the final cut.
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in the first railer for David Ayer’s ‘Suicide Squad’. Image: Warner Brothers Pictures
Also deleted was a scene where he (Croc) becomes sick at the helicopter escort to Midway City, throws up half-digested pieces of goat, and then eats them again, disgusting the nearby Navy Seals.
Early cuts reportedly included a passing reference to Slipknot being a serial rapist, likely to further paint him as unsympathetic to the audience ahead of his own death.
More scenes of Rick Flag and June Moone’s romantic relationship, including him reading the files of the Suicide Squad recruits after Waller delivers them to him.
Another scene where Flag and Moone are out on a date.
Extended scene of Joker interrogating Captain Griggs, including the line, “I can’t wait to show you my toys,” which was in every trailer, but was removed from the movie.
Joker and his men escaping after shooting up a restaurant. Harley, who is already affiliated with the Joker, follows them on a motorcycle and intercepts their car. Joker bangs his head against the glass in frustration.
Are you ready for the ‘Suicide Squad’? Image: Warner Bros.
Joker and Harley then get into a fight, which ends with Harley pointing a gun at Joker’s head. Joker sweet-talks Harley into lowering the gun, charming her, then backhands her across the face. Afterwards he sweet-talks her again and they kiss.
Extended Ace Chemicals scene where Harley jumps into the chemicals. More bits of dialogue by the Joker.
Extended Batmobile chase scene with more interaction between Joker and Harley. One of the examples, presented in all the trailers, is the Joker punching the roof of his car.
Harley using her baseball bat as a mock gun to play shoot at invisible foes.
Extended scene of Joker breaking into the nanobomb manufacture facility to arrange for Harley’s neck-bomb to be disabled.
More interactions between Harley and Boomerang. Early cuts apparently included her really disliking him despite growing affectionate to all other members of the squad.
How can you hate a girl with so much cuteness? Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn will steal the show in ‘Suicide Squad’. Image: Warner Bros. Pictures
Extended bar scene with Harley taking everyone’s orders. Deadshot calls for a shot, Katana wants whiskey, Croc and Boomerang settle for beer, Harley asks Diablo wants and he prefers water which she jokes, is “a good idea.” The scene was featured in the trailers, but in the movie it cuts directly to Deadshot’s speech about them almost pulling the mission off.
Removed several scenes with the Joker to repaint his relationship with Harley as more loving rather than abusive.
Joker and Harley get into an argument after he rescues her in the hijacked helicopter. In early cuts he reportedly pushes her out to kill her, then the helicopter gets shot down. This was apparently reworked into the helicopter getting shot down first and Joker pushing her out to save her.
Joker returns during the final battle in the subway station, face half-burnt from the helicopter crash, which apparently leads to a brief altercation with the Suicide Squad. He calls for Harley to escape with him but she refuses for once to help her friends, and the Joker escapes after throwing a live grenade at the group to cover his own escape.
Adam Beach is Slipknot in the ‘Suicide Squad’. Image: Warner Bros.
Whether or not these scenes would have made any difference, is anyones guess. One thing is for certain, with these scenes the Suicide Squad film would have been darker, grittier, and crazier than anyone would have expected. It would make each and every one of these characters villains, something that the theatrical version hardly did. The theatrical movie showed the fun side of being bad, instead of showing that these people are really bad in a real world sense.
Would you like to see David Ayer’s cut of the Suicide Squad?
