Idris Elba is still going to be in The Suicide Squad, he's just not going to be playing Deadshot. James Gunn has been hired by Warner Bros. to write and direct the next entry in the franchise, which has been described as a "total reboot."

Variety reports that, after several weeks of discussion, Gunn and Warner Bros. have decided to move on from the character of Floyd Lawton and hand Elba a fresh role to portray instead. It's said that all parties involved in the film agreed that this was the right decision.

Suicide Squad 2 still is eyeing a September production start in Atlanta, and the studio has set an August 6, 2021, release date.

With Smith out, the only returning castmember so far seems to be Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. Its unclear whether Viola Davis is back as Agent Amanda Waller despite reports earlier today she has signed on.

Source: Press Release