Suicide Squad Could Have Starred Shia Labeouf

Actor Shia Labeouf could have starred in Suicide Squad, but it didn't work out.

Director David Ayer, who directed Labeouf in Fury, wanted him for the role that eventually went to Scott Eastwood. Labeouf said this character, Lieutenant GQ Edwards, was "different" until Will Smith came on. When Smith boarded the project to play Deadshot, the initial version of Edwards and Joe Kinnaman's Rick Flag (a part that was initially eyed for Tom Hardy) got "written down" in an effort to build up Deadshot, according to Labeouf.

"I don't think Warner Bros. wanted me," Labeouf added. "I went in to meet, and they were like, 'Nah, you're crazy. You're a good actor, but not this one.' It was a big investment for them."

Ayer is also quoted in the Variety story. He said he's sure Labeouf, who played lead roles in the Transformers series and Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, will appear in blockbusters again someday.

"My advice to him was--you got to have a healthy career diet," he said. "You do the big movies and then you go and down some for yourself. I think he'll absolutely be back in the blockbuster business. He has a track record there."

Despite a cool critical reception, Suicide Squad broke box office records. A sequel is reportedly on the way.