A Deadshot solo movie starring Will Smith would give the actor a chance to fix his mistakes with play Deadshot in James Gunn's reboot due to scheduling conflicts. Still, the door remains open for Smith to reprise his role — and fix Hancock's biggest mistake in the process.
Directed by Peter Berg, Hancock spent several years in development hell, with directors such as Michael Mann and Tony Scott previously attached to the project. The film follows an alcoholic superhero whose reckless behavior earns him the ire of all of Los Angeles. Despite being one of the highest-grossing films of 2008, Hancock received mixed reviews, with criticism aimed primarily at its flimsy narrative. Smith still received plenty of praise for his performance, proving the megastar can absolutely hold down a solo superhero flick.
Hancock's troubled history rendered the final product an awkward mishmash of ideas. It operates as a comedy first and foremost, but also maintains an incredible undercurrent of darkness. The notion of a reprehensible superhero is ripe with potential, and the original script for the film was actually much darker than Berg's ultimate interpretation. Berg had concerns regarding the script's unflinching study of a nearly suicidal superhero, and opted to lighten the tone, even changing the film's title to Hancock from the original Tonight, He Comes. Hancock ultimately found itself in no man's land, trapped between several different intended visions. Smith is long due for a do-over with a Deadshot solo movie.
Like John Hancock, Smith's Deadshot, otherwise known as Floyd Lawton, has a rather tragic backstory. A Suicide Squd spin-off would almost certainly dive deeper into the character's past, and offer greater insight on his relationship with his daughter Zoe. David Ayer's DCEU movie dealt with Floyd's personal life to a certain extent, but there is still plenty of unexplored territory left for a solo film to explore. But most importantly, a Deadshot solo film would allow Will Smith to participate in the properly developed superhero film he so deserves.
Smith took a long hiatus from acting after Hancock to spend more time with his family, and Suicide Squad remains one of his most notable works since his initial return to acting in 2012. DC fans continue to clamor for Smith's return as Deadshot. The The Suicide Squad reboot may not mark that opportunity for Smith or his fans, but a Deadshot solo film remains a possibility, and could even correct for an earlier failure in Smith's career.
