The Dark Knight trilogy introduced a lot of menacing villains that the newly revamped DC Universe can use in their future projects. In fact, one iconic antagonist from the Christian Bale-led franchise was considered to join the Suicide Squad (2016) movie.
David Ayer’s rendition of the famed band of antiheroes promised a very exciting future, but the creative differences and major changes that took place during post-production resulted in the film’s lackluster performance at the box office. The director was extremely disappointed with the studio’s decision, but fans will be more upset after they learn that a classic Batman villain was originally slated to join the team of misfits but was later removed.
The Dark Knight’s Scarecrow Was Planned To Join Suicide Squad
David Ayer’s Suicide Squad almost featured Cillian Murphy’s Jonathan Crane, aka Scarecrow, from Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. It would have been the villain’s debut in the DCEU after a concept art for the character in the movie resurfaced online. Check out the artwork below:
Scarecrow is seen with his signature mask, straw hat, and tattered jeans while holding a sickle in one hand. There was an opportunity for James Gunn to add the character to his version of 2021’s The Suicide Squad, but unfortunately, it did not happen. However, since the franchise remains one of the most highly criticized installments in the DCEU, it was probably a good decision not to include him just yet.
Ayer’s idea to bring Scarecrow back on the screen again was a brilliant concept, and the rebooted DC Universe can actually take this into consideration. Having Cillian Murphy join the team and reprise his role from The Dark Knight saga would absolutely make the fans go wild. Besides, the Oppenheimer actor revealed that the character isn’t dead at all. He once shared via GQ:
“You can have fun, you can be a bit broad, and that was fun for me to do. I had never done anything like that. I didn’t expect to come back. It was wonderful fun to reprise a character. Up until that point, I had never reprised a character. There was a joke on set that he is just the character that refuses to die. He’s still alive, out there somewhere.”
With Murphy confirming that Jonathan Crane is still lurking in the dark, Gunn could finally pick up the character and give him his long-overdue screen time.
Will There Be A Sequel To The Suicide Squad?
James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad received fairly positive ratings despite it underperforming at the box office. The filmmaker previously admitted that this version isn’t canon, and he also debunked the rumor that The Suicide Squad 2 is happening. It’s no surprise, after all, since Gunn is busy helming Superman: Legacy while overseeing other DC projects slated for the coming years.
The DC villains are a favorite concept for studio artists to pitch, but it seems like Gunn and Peter Safran are not entirely keen on bringing the antiheroes back on the big screen in the near future. So, while waiting for further announcements, fans will have to campaign harder for The Dark Knight’s Scarecrow to return and finally make his debut in the DC Universe.
Suicide Squad is available to watch on Max.
