‘The Studio Cut Is Not My Movie’

David Ayer has made no secret of his dislike for “Suicide Squad,” the 2016 movie he directed that was launched to a lot of cash however not-so-super evaluations. But the upcoming launch of James Gunn’s sequel/comfortable reboot, “The Suicide Squad,” has revived criticism of the unique movie — and, for some motive, him. And consequently, he’s made his longest public assertion but about it. 

In quick, he unambiguously disavowed “Suicide Squad” as “not my movie.”

On Wednesday evening, movie critic Tim Grierson randomly tweeted “Many times while watching the new movie, I thought, ‘Yeah, David Ayer should just abandon the idea of that director’s cut.’” Grierson was referring to Ayer’s public statements in 2020 asking Warner Bros. and then-parent firm AT&T to launch his authentic model of the movie, which he referred to as a “Soulful drama” that was “beaten into a ‘comedy.’”

Ayer responded to Grierson on Thursday with a prolonged assertion, not solely defending himself and bashing the film, but additionally breaking down what he’d truly meant earlier than, as he explains it, Warner Bros. basically took the movie away from him.

Ayers described his tough life previous to his breakout success writing “Training Day,” and the sacrifices he made to transition to a directing profession earlier than attending to the principle level: “I put my life into ‘Suicide Squad,’” he wrote. “I made something amazing. My cut is intricate and emotional journey with some bad people who are shit on and discarded (a theme that resonates in my soul). The studio cut is not my movie. Read that again.” 

“And my cut is not the 10 week director’s cut – it’s a fully mature edit by Lee Smith standing on the incredible work by John Gilroy. It’s all Steven Price’s brilliant score, with not a single radio song in the whole thing. It has traditional character arcs, amazing performances, a solid third-act resolution,” he continued. “A handful of people have seen it. If someone says they have seen it, they haven’t.” 

Although Gilroy was in the end credited on the theatrical model, Warner Bros’ unorthodox resolution to fee a number of cuts of the movie was broadly publicized throughout post-production. In his notice, Ayer detailed nights of coming house to his youngsters after the studio had taken over the edit “with my heart torn out.”

“I never told my side of the story and never will … I’m old school like that. So I kept my mouth shut and took the tsunami of sometimes shockingly personal criticism. Why? That’s what I’ve done my whole life,” Ayer recalled earlier than including, “Real talk I’d rather get shot at.” 

Ayer concluded by saying he’ll now not communicate publicly on the matter. Whether this implies he’ll proceed to push for the discharge of his authentic reduce stays to be seen.

In the meantime, Ayer doesn’t have any onerous emotions about James Gunn or the way more enthusiastic response his tackle the “Suicide Squad” franchise has obtained. “I’m so proud of James and excited for the success that’s coming,” he stated. “I support WB and am thrilled the franchise is getting the legs it needs. I’m rooting for everyone, the cast, the crew. Every movie is a miracle. And James’s brilliant work will be the miracle of miracles.”

The feeling is mutual, by the best way. “All my love and admiration, friend,” Gunn stated in response to Ayer’s assertion.

The launch of Zack Snyder’s “Snyder Cut” of his equally-maligned “Batman V. Superman” in March renewed requires Ayer’s model of “Suicide Squad.” However, when Variety requested Warner Media CEO Ann Sarnoff if the studio would ever unleash the “Ayer Cut,” she shot it down. 

When the story was printed, Ayer tweeted, “Why?”

“The Suicide Squad” hits theaters and HBO Max on August 6.