According to sources, Will Smith will not be returning as Deadshot in Suicide Squad 2.

As reported by Variety, even though it appears Margot Robbie will return as Harley Quinn, Smith will be bowing out of the sequel to 2016’s Suicide Squad due to scheduling issues, although the “decision was made on amicable terms between both sides with no hard feelings.”

These same sources have said that the studio had wanted Smith and Robbie to return and have the rest of the cast be new faces.

Following the first film’s earning at the box office of $746 million, production of the sequel is said to begin later this fall and Guardian’s of the Galaxy’s James Gunn will be the film’s writer and director following his controversial departure from Marvel.

Suicide Squad 2 is scheduled to be released in theaters on August 6, 2021.

In other DC news, Ben Affleck has officially confirmed that he will no longer be playing Batman. Additionally, be sure to check out our breakdown of Margot Robbie/Harley Quinn’s upcoming spinoff film, Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).

Adam Bankhurst is a news writer for IGN who would be more than happy to play Deadshot in Suicide Squad 2. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamBankhurst.