David Ayer may never get to release his director’s cut of “Suicide Squad,” but he’s maintaining relevancy thanks to the success of “The Beekeeper.” Ayer’s latest made $152.6 million at the global box office off a $40 million budget: a big enough success to guarantee that he’ll at least make mid-budget movies for the foreseeable future.
And that’s precisely what Ayer has up next. Deadline reports that his next picture will be “Heart Of The Beat” at Paramount. Set in the Alaskan wilderness, the film follows a former US Navy SEAL and his retired combat dog as they try to get back to civilization after a dangerous accident. That’s a less action-packed premise than Ayer’s last handful of films, but something still firmly in his wheelhouse. And it’s the first military-centric movie for the director since 2014’s “Fury,” arguably Ayer’s biggest hit.
Damien Chazelle and his spouse Olivia Hamilton lead producers on the project through Wild Chickens Productions. It’s part of their first-look deal with Paramount. Ayer also produces the film with Chris Long through their Cedar Park Entertainment. Richard Raymond also co-produces, with scriptwriter Cameron Alexander on board as executive producer.
Bear in mind that Ayer is also signed onto helm “Levon’s Trade,” another actioner vehicle starring Statham, so it’s unclear which of the upcoming titles he’ll direct first. Based on the success of “The Beekeeper,” “Levon’s Trade” may be the safer bet there (and the fact that the main character Levon Cade has a book series, making it ripe for sequels). Still, it’s curious that this is Chazelle’s first producing gig in his first-look deal at Paramount. On paper, “Heart Of The Beast” doesn’t sound like a Damien Chazelle, but then this may be part of a post-“Babylon” career pivot.
In any case, between this project and “Levon’s Trade,” David Ayer is again a regular hire in Hollywood. And that means the post-“Suicide Squad” fallout may finally be over for the director.
