David Ayer wanted Shia LaBeouf in Suicide Squad

Director David Ayer had former collaborator Shia LaBeouf in mind when casting Suicide Squad. LaBouf has been speaking out recently about his issues with alcoholism. When talking to Variety, he mentioned Ayer tried to persuade him to play the role of Lieutenant GQ Edwards after his impressive turn as Boyd ‘Bible’ Swan in David Ayer’s Fury. The role of Lt. GQ Edwards subsequently went to Scott Eastwood.

LaBeouf then went on to admit that he didn’t think Warner Bros. wanted him in Suicide Squad anyway. “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.”

There were many casting changes in Suicide Squad: Tom Hardy was originally set to play Rick Flag and after he left the project, it’s been reported Will Smith‘s character ‘Deadshot’ was then given more to work with.

You can see Shia LaBeouf in his upcoming film American Honey.