Suicide Squad‘s #TheAyerCut Deserves HBO Max Release, Says Jay Hernandez (And Not Just Because He Survived It)
David Ayer’s original edit of 2016’s Suicide Squad deserves streaming salvation, says cast member Jay Hernandez — and not only because his fire-wielding meta, Chato Santana aka El Diablo, survived that one.
“Honestly, I think it will [one day get released],” Hernandez told TVLine during a recent Q&A. “And I’m a big fan of it happening. I hope it does.”
The Magnum P.I. star posited that HBO Max — which streams the theatrically released Suicide Squad — would do right to also release “The Ayer Cut,” just as they did with Justice League‘s “(Zack) Snyder Cut” a little over a year ago. And it’d even far easier/cheaper to give the alternate edit a home, since Ayer had filmed everything he needed for his original vision. No costly reshoots (a la #TheSnyderCut) are required.
“I’ve talked to [costars] Joel [Kinnaman] and Jared [Leto], everybody wants to see it. Everybody that I’ve talked to wants to see it,” Hernandez enthused. “And I think Ayer wants it to be put out there, so it’s kind of a no-brainer.
“Put it on HBO Max or whatever, and the audience gets to see what the director’s original vision was,” Hernandez suggested. “At the end of the day, I just want to see it.”
An HBO Max rep tells TVLine there are no plans at this time to give #TheAyerCut a home.
Lore has it that the so-so reception to Zack Snyder’s gritty Batman v. Superman, coupled with a strong audience reaction to Suicide Squad‘s second, quipper trailer, prompted some $20 million worth of reshoots. Ayer himself years ago confirmed that in his original Suicide Squad edit, Hernandez’s El Diablo survived and Harley Quinn and Deadshot (played by Margot Robbie and, um, Will Smith) “hooked up as a couple.” Ayer has also said that due to the same studio-dictated reshoots that led to Suicide Squad‘s tepidly received theatrical release, Harley Quinn’s story arc “was eviscerated.”
“It was her movie in so many ways,” Ayer said, adding: “I rendered Harley comic book accurate.” Alas, “Everything is political now,” he cryptically remarked at the time.
Jared Leto, who played The Joker in Suicide Squad, said not long after its release, “There are a lot of scenes that didn’t make it to the final film,” but “hopefully they will see the light of day. Who knows.”
Hernandez echoed Leto, telling us, “A lot of stuff changed from Ayer’s cut; I know, because I was there, and I shot it. There was a lot of stuff that never made it into the cut that went into the theaters.”
Do you have any interest/curiosity in #TheAyerCut seeing the light of day on a streaming service?
Another reason WB DC movies won’t be where they should be. Studio intervention
^ This, and also v That. They’ve been my feelings since before Batman v Superman came out.
Can we just admit that WB has NO clue what they’re doing with DC?
Absolutely, WB can’t seem to get out of their own way with DC. Release the movie once Ayer finishes it and I guarantee it will be a success and everyone will say why didn’t we see this originally in theatres instead of what we got. With Ann Sarnoff being dismissed at least we have a chance now and it would really be a quick easy win for Warner Discovery
You would have thought they’d have learnt their lesson 25 years ago with Batman & Robin, killed not only the franchise but also the movie careers of Chris O’Donnell and Alicia Silverstone.
i agree release this and release the schumacher cut of batman forever while you’re at it wb
freaking release all director cuts of all movies
While you’re at it, HBOMAX, release the Snyder cut in 16:9 for those of us at home with widescreen TVs instead of IMAX screens.
Snyder should also move those two new extra scenes to mid and post credits as they didn’t play smothly how he tacked them on to his other far superior cut.
That one’s on Snyder though. He’s the one who shot it and wanted it released in a 4:3 ratio.
Diablo was the best thing about that movie.
If it doesn’t call for tens of millions of dollars to complete like the Snyder’s Justice League did, there’s no justification for denying the release of David Ayer’s cut, if only just to sate people’s curiosity.
Considering both ZSJL and the Ultimate Edition of Batman V Superman were vastly better the their theatrical versions, releasing Ayer’s version of the movie seems like the proper move, if only to confirm that Warner Bros execs didn’t have clue what do with these DC movies.
I don’t think that anybody is in a hurry to throw money at rereleasing a Will Smith movie right now…
🤣🤣🤣 End thread.
Give us #TheAyerCut already!!!!!!!! I wish the studios would stay outta the directing.
Dear God, please show Ayer the same respect that zach snyder finally, rightfully got.
It is in demand. Paying people want to see it. And it’s been shown the execs. At Warner bros. Forced the God awful mess that was splattered in neon on out screens.
#releasetheayercut
Bruce thomas
“So-so response” to Batman v. Superman? Nah. Straight hate, that. At least for 8 out of 10 people . . .
I’d love for #TheAyerCut to pop up on HBO Max.
Ayer Cut Please!!! Anything that correlates with the Synderverse. C’mon WB give your real fans what they want!!!!