Joel Kinnaman in 'Early Talks' to Replace Tom Hardy in SUICIDE SQUAD

According to Variety, Joel Kinnaman (THE KILLING) is currently in "early talks" to replace Tom Hardy in Warner Bros.' SUICIDE SQUAD. Hardy departed the project last month, with Jake Gyllenhaal the studio's first choice to replace him - the casting didn't pan out.

Should he sign on, Kinnaman would take on the role of Rick Flagg.

The film will also star two-time Oscar nominee Will Smith ("The Pursuit of Happyness," "Ali," upcoming "Focus") as Deadshot; Margot Robbie ("The Wolf of Wall Street," upcoming "Focus," the "Tarzan" movie) as Harley Quinn; Oscar winner Jared Leto ("Dallas Buyers Club," "Alexander") as the Joker; Jai Courtney ("Divergent," upcoming "The Water Diviner") as Boomerang; and Cara Delevingne ("Anna Karenina," upcoming "Pan") as Enchantress.

Bringing DC Comics' super villain team to the big screen is director David Ayer ("Fury").

Ayer is also writing the script for "Suicide Squad," which is being produced by Charles Roven ("The Dark Knight" trilogy, upcoming "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice") and Richard Suckle ("American Hustle"). Zack Snyder, Deborah Snyder, Colin Wilson and Geoff Johns are serving as executive producers.

The film is slated for release on August 5, 2016.

Photo via IMDB