With Tom Hardy out and Jake Gyllenhaal passing, the role of Rick Flag in SUICIDE SQUAD is still in flux. But, two new names have entered the fray as reports have THE WALKING DEAD's Jon Bernthal and EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS star Joel Edgerton as potential actors that Warner Bros is interested in talking to about the part.
A source from the studio revealed this information to Cinema Blend while also citing that Gary Sinise may be a contender for an undisclosed role in David Ayer's film, a rumor first posed by Latino Review. Again, these are just rumors but they would seem to make sense.
While Tom Hardy and Jake Gyllenhaal would have been great to see in SUICIDE SQUAD, sources are claiming that the Rick Flag role is a minor one. With Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and Jared Leto on the docket, I would imagine casting someone with a little less star power but nonetheless a great screen presence would be vital. Bernthal worked with Ayer on FURY so he seems like a natural candidate. Edgerton has been in several high profile films recently including THE GREAT GATSBY and ZERO DARK THIRTY and would also be a good choice.
Filming is expected to get underway soon on SUICIDE SQUAD so I would think we will be hearing about the casting of the new Rick Flag sooner than later. SUICIDE SQUAD is slated to open on August 5, 2016.