David Ayer: Studio cut of 'Suicide Squad' is 'not my movie'

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Filmmaker David Ayer has broken his silence about the much-maligned Suicide Squad blockbuster, insisting it’s not his film.

A week before the release of James Gunn’s take on the comic book story, Ayer is speaking out to make it clear that the criticism of him for the 2016 movie is misdirected, revealing studio bosses took over his vision and created something that looks nothing like the film he made.

In an open letter, posted online, the director writes: “I put my life into Suicide Squad. I made something amazing. My cut is intricate and emotional journey with some bad people who are s**t on and discarded (a theme that resonates in my soul) (sic).

“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 (uncredited editor) Lee Smith standing on the incredible work by (credited editor) 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. A handful of people have seen it.”

And that’s about as much as Ayer is planning to say about the matter, adding: “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 shocking personal criticism.”

And it appears he harbours no ill will towards Warner Bros. bosses or James Gunn, the man behind new movie The Suicide Squad.

“I support WB and am thrilled the franchise is getting the legs it needs…,” he adds. “James’ brilliant work will be the miracles of miracles… I will no longer speak publicly on the matter.”

Suicide Squad was a commercial success upon its release but a critical flop, with fans and film reviewers alike taking aim at Ayer for making a blockbuster with little substance.