Cast member Tom Hardy attends a news conference to promote the film The Drop at the Toronto International Film Festival September 6, 2014.
Cast member Tom Hardy attends a news conference to promote the film The Drop at the Toronto International Film Festival September 6, 2014. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill REUTERS/Fred Thornhill

Tom Hardy has backed out from Warner Bros.' upcoming movie "Suicide Squad." The actor was roped in to play Rick Flagg in the David Ayer film. However, he decided to let go of the much-anticipated movie because of his tight schedule. He is currently busy with two movie projects, namely "The Revenant" and "Mad Max: Fury Road."

At present, he is shooting for Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu's "The Revenant" with Leonardo DiCaprio. After that he will be going on a promotional tour for "Mad Max: Fury Road."

Jake Gyllenhaal is being considered as the replacement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The actor has previously worked with Ayer on "End of Watch," and he reportedly shares great rapport with the director. The actor is also being praised for his riveting act in "Nightcrawler." He has earned a slew of award nominations including Golden Globes and SAG. Warner Bros. and Gyllenhaal's reps are yet to comment on the news.

Meanwhile, the all-star comic book movie "Suicide Squad" stars Will Smith as Batman villain Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Jared Leto as Joker, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang and Cara Delevingne as Enchantress.

Other actors, who are being considered for vital roles in the film include Jesse Eisenberg and Viola Davis. Eisenberg is in negotiations to reprise his "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice's" role of Lex Luthor, while Davis may play Amanda Waller.

"Suicide Squad" will follow the story of imprisoned super-villains who will execute dangerous black ops missions in exchange for clemency. Ayer is reportedly thrilled to direct the movie. He revealed in his previous interview with Empire that the idea of directing a comic book movie is intriguing. "I love the passion [comic-book fans] have for these characters and these worlds. I think there's something incredible about the comic genre and technology has finally caught up with pen and ink to render these fantastic worlds in a way that feels believable and visceral to audiences," he told the site. "Suicide Squad" is scheduled to be released on Aug. 5, 2016. Charles Roven and Richard Suckle are producing the movie.

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