If you thought Suicide Squad was a letdown, as it seems the DC universe is prone to do, you were not alone. And although director David Ayer took on the project as a labor of love for the characters and emerging franchise, even he admits he did not live up to the expectations the film carried for many dedicated DC fans.
In a reply to a tweet in favor of the film, Ayer shared a lengthy note to address the criticisms Suicide Squad faced and accepted responsibility for his role in it.
“I know it’s a controversial film, I really tried to make something different, with a look and a voice of its own,” Ayer said.
“I took inspiration from the insanity of the original comics. Making a movie is a journey, not a straight line,” Ayer continued. “I learned so much. People want what they want, and everyone has a personal vision of how each character should look and walk and talk. If you set out to make a mass appeal 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 me more than to pick up a newspaper and see a couple years of your blood, sweat and tears ripped to shreds.”
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) January 21, 2017
Suicide Squad was indeed ripped to shreds by the critics but it was a box office success for Warner Brothers and DC Comics, which is ultimately what matters most, right? Regardless, Ayer is his own biggest critic and he admits he would have done some things differently if given a second crack at Suicide Squad.
“Wish I had a time machine,” Ayer said. “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.”
Many were disappointed to see the limited role Jared Leto’s Joker played in the film considering his role in the DC universe. Leto himself was a tad miffed at his character’s involvement in the final production, and understandably so.
Ayer will get a second chance at the DC Comics movie universe as he will be directing Gotham Sirens, which will feature Suicide Squad star Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Here’s hoping Ayer really did learn from his mistakes.
