Suicide Squad Targeting Gary Sinise and Joel Edgerton?

WithSuicide Squadset to start shooting before summer, Warner Bros. and DC are scrambling to find a replacement forTom Hardy, who dropped out of the project citing a scheduling conflict. While the studio was keen on havingJake Gyllenhaalreplace him, it has since been reported thatGyllenhaalpassed on the role of Rick Flagg. Now, a new rumor indicates that bothJoel EdgertonandJon Bernthalare being eyed for the role. A second report indicates thatGary Sinisehas joined the movie as General Eiling, but that has not been officially confirmed. And a third report claims thatJoe Manganiellois being targeted to play Deathstroke.

Jon Bernthalhad been rumored for the role of Rick Flagg before Warner Bros. officially announced thatTom Hardyhad won the part late last year. HavingBernthaljoin the movie makes sense, as he previously co-starred in directorDavid Ayer’s last projectFury, and the actor certainly fits the character’s description.

It has been rumored thatTom Hardyactually exitedSuicide Squaddue to Rick Flagg’s diminished role in the latest draft of the script, which gives more screen time to Deadshot (Will Smith) and The Joker (Jared Leto). Having eitherJon BernthalorJoel Edgertoncome aboard will better suit the production, as they are accomplished actors, yet they do not pull the same marquee value asTom Hardy, and may be more apt to take on this smaller, yet very important role.

Cinemablend, who first reported onJon BernthalorJoel Edgertonpossibly being involved with the project also confirm thatGary Sinisehas landed a role inSuicide Squad, though that news hasn’t hit the trades just yet. WhileEl Mayimbefirst broke this news on Twitter, withSinisesaid to be taking on the role of General Eiling,Cinemablendclaims that second part of the story is false. They also say it is unlikely that the actor is set to play Deathstroke. It is instead believed thatJoe Manganiellois nearing a deal to play Deathstroke. But, again, like everything else in this story, none of it has been confirmed by anyone actually involved in the production.

However this plays out, Warner Bros. is going to need to make a decision fast, asSuicide Squadalready has an August 2016 release date firmly in place. Delaying that could possibly throw their entire upcoming DC slate off course. What do you guys think?