In the Golden Age of Superheroes we live in, it’s no surprise that virtually every single big actor under the sun seems to at least have been approached to star in a comic book movie. In a world where even Robert Redford takes on the role in a superhero flick, no one could argue they are above the genre.

As such, it makes sense that even Shia LaBeouf was approached to play in this year’s Suicide Squad. Speaking with Variety about his winding road of a career, the actor not only revealed that he was in talks with previous collaborator David Ayer to take on the role that eventually wen to Scott Eastwood, but he also gave an extra bit of credibility to a rumor from around a year ago.

“[Scott Eastwood’s character] was different initially. Then Will [Smith] came in, and the script changed a bit. That character and Tom [Hardy’s] character [later played by Joel Kinnaman] got written down to build Will up. I don’t think Warner Bros. wanted me. I went in to meet, and they were like, ‘Nah, you’re crazy. You’re a good actor, but not this one.’ It was a big investment for them.”

Given LaBeouf’s reputation for being both difficult to work with and a bit of a publicity nightmare, one can understand why Warner Bros. felt the need to go with a different actor, but the big takeaway in this, for me, involves the bit with Will Smith. 

Back when casting was first happening for the film, it was a big deal that Tom Hardy was signed on to the project. Given his rising stardom and involvement in The Dark Knight Rises, his involvement would’ve helped to give the picture a bit of extra clout. When he exited the project, rumors circulated that it had to do with a clash between him and Will Smith.

Now, this comment doesn’t necessarily hint at a clash, but it does hint at the idea that WB had the script changed to play up Deadshot, and as a result cut from Hardy’s role. Part of the rumor from way back when was that Hardy left the project because his character was losing screentime to Smith’s, and from LaBeouf’s comments, it certainly sounds like that could’ve been the case.

What do you think? Were these changes made for the better, or would you have preferred to see a LaBeouf-filled, Rick Flag-centric version of Suicide Squad? Let us know your thoughts down below!

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SOURCE: Variety

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