AceShowbiz - James Gunn is close to making his directorial return with "Suicide Squad 2", after getting fired by Disney. The "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" director is reportedly in negotiations to direct the follow-up to 2016's "Suicide Squad".

This move isn't entirely surprising as Gunn was already hired to pen the script for the second "Suicide Squad" movie by Warner Bros. after Disney fired him from the "GOTG" film franchise, due to his resurfacing old insensitive and controversial tweets.

The upcoming movie has been titled "The Suicide Squad" and is set for an August 2021 release. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the next film is "not being labeled a direct sequel but as a relaunch."

Sources tell the site that Gunn's take on the franchise will take it "in a new direction with a mostly all-new cast of characters and actors." It is additionally said that the project will stay true to Gunn's vibe and will be in a similar vein with his "Guardians" movies.

Charles Roven and Peter Safran will produce the film, with Snyder and his wife Deborah as executive producers.

It's currently unknown if there's any of the actors and characters from the first "Suicide Squad" movie will return for "The Suicide Squad". Margot Robbie, who portrays Harley Quinn, has begun working on the spin-off, "Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)", which is now in production for a February 7, 2020 release in the United States.

Warner Bros. is also moving forward with another of its DC characters-inspired movies, "The Batman". Announcing a June 25, 2021 release date for the new solo movie, the studio also confirms that Ben Affleck will not return as the Caped Crusader as it will focus on a younger Bruce Wayne. The search for the actor to portray the new Batman will begin soon.