Writer-director David Ayer has come in for a lot of criticism over ‘Suicide Squad’. There’s no hiding from the films critical lambasting and 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Ayer is also no stranger to giving a few home truths when necessary.
When a fan tweeted Ayer to say how much he enjoyed the film they got a surprise when Ayer responded with a full and frank statement:
Thank you so much. I know it’s a controversial film, I really tired to make something different, with a look and voice of its own.
I took inspiration from the insanity of the original comics. Making a movie is a journey, not a straight line. I learned so much. People want what they want, and everyone has a personal version of how each character should look and walk and talk. If you set out to make a mass appear movie, it’s easy to end up with vanilla. But I went for it. And I know Squad has its flaws, Hell, the World knows it. Nothing hurts more than to pick up a newspaper and see a couple years of your blood, sweat and tears ripped to shreds. The hate game is strong out there.
The movie was wildly successful commercially. And the World got introduced into some very cool characters in the DC Universe. And that success is due exactly to the wonder and power of DC, of its characters. Would I do a lot of things different? Yep, for sure.
Wish I had a time machine. I’d make Joker the main villain and engineer a more grounded story. I have to take the good and bad and learn from it. I love making movies and I love DC. I’m a High School dropout and used to paint houses for a living. I’m so lucky to have the job I have. I have to give the characters the stories and plots they deserve next time. Real talk. (And no, there isn’t a secret edit of the film with a bunch of Joker scenes hidden in a salt mine somewhere.)
It’s clear to see that the director has been bottling up a few things since the release of the film. It’s also fresh to see a creative being so honest so soon after a films release.
Ayer will soon be working with Margot Robbie again on another DCEU project: ‘Gotham City Sirens’ (more on that here). Hopefully with hindsight on his side he will be able to make that the best it can be.
‘Suicide Squad’ is available on Blu-Ray and DigitalHD now.
