Before you check out Suicide Squad, take a look back with our David Ayer movies spotlight!
David Ayer is the writer and director of the upcoming Warner Bros./DC Comics film Suicide Squad, the highly-anticipated film in which a bunch of villains come together to do good, not completely by choice. Ayer has been the writer, director and producer of a number of films and has even appeared in some of them. Most of his work deals with former military officers and LAPD officers and they are mostly set in Los Angeles. Check out our list of David Ayer movies and let us know if you’re excited for the new film. Suicide Squad stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Adam Beach, Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, Cara Delevingne, Karen Fukuhara, Jay Hernandez, Joel Kinnaman, Jared Leto, Margot Robbie and Will Smith and will hit theaters this Friday, August 5, 2016.
David Ayer Movies: U-571 (2000)
This thriller about the capture of the German Enigma machines in WWII caused quite a bit of controversy. In the film, which Ayer wrote, the Americans were responsible for the heroic work. In reality, it was largely the military from the United Kingdom, which caused then Prime Minister Tony Blair to call the film out for its inaccuracy. (Ayer later expressed regret about rewriting history in the film.) U-571 stars Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Jon Bon Jovi and Harvey Keitel.
David Ayer Movies: The Fast and the Furious (2001)
The beginning of the franchise that has taken over pop culture. Ayer wrote this one along with Erik Bergquist and Gary Scott Thompson. In the film, a professional street racer and hijacker Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) faces off with LAPD officer Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker), though, as fans of the franchise know, they end up on the same side. The film also stars Michelle Rodriguez and Jordan Brewster.
David Ayer Movies: Training Day (2001)
This film, written by Ayer and directed by Antoine Fuqua is the story of two LAPD officers, one corrupt (Denzel Washington) and one heroic (Ethan Hawke), over 24 hours. The film also stars Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Macy Cray, Tom Bringer and Eva Mendes. Though the ending is a bit over-the-top, the film did well at the box office and earned Washington an Academy Award. Ayer made a cameo appearance in the film as a Russian hitman and acted as co-producer.
David Ayer Movies: Dark Blue (2002)
This film, which Ayer wrote based on a story written by crime novelist James Ellroy, takes place around the acquittal of the LAPD officers who were involved in the beating of Rodney King and the LA riots that resulted. Dark Blue stars Kurt Russell as Sergeant Eldon Perry, Scott Speedman as Detective Bobby Keogh, Michael Michele as Sergeant Beth Williamson, Brendon Gleeson as Commander Jack Van Meter and Ving Rhames as Assistant Chief Arthur Holland.
David Ayer Movies: S.W.A.T. (2003)
Ayer wrote this thriller with David McKenna. It tells the story of Jim Street (Colin Farrell), an LAPD officer (sensing a theme here?) and former Navy SEAL. His partner’s (Jeremy Renner) actions during a robbery cause them to get demoted. When a new man (Samuel L. Jackson) comes in to reorganize the SWAT division, the successful new team has to do battle with his former partner who has fallen into a life of crime. The film also stars Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J, Josh charles and Olivier Martinez.
David Ayer Movies: Harsh Times (2005)
This crime drama set–where else–in Los Angeles was written, produced and directed by Ayer. It’s the story of Jim Davis (Christian Bale), a former military man who’s PTSD is ruining his life. After being turned down for jobs, he ends up dealing drugs and threatening to kill his pregnant girlfriend (Tammy Trull) and leading his friend Mike (Freddy Rodriguez) into dark places. The film also stars Eva Longoria and Terry Crews.
David Ayer Movies: Street Kings (2008)
This film is directed by Ayer, who also makes a cameo as a gang member, and stars Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Common, The Game, Hugh Laurie and Chris Evans. Reeves plays LAPD Vice detective Tom Ludlow who’s methods are somewhat less than stellar. His former partner (Crews) has gone straight and sets off an investigation into his career.
David Ayer Movies: End of Watch (2012)
Ayer wrote, produced and directed this film which stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as two LAPD officers working in South Central Los Angeles. Unlike some of his earlier work, this Ayer film focuses on the relationship between these officers and the good work that they do. The film also stars Natalie Martinez, Anna Kendrick, Frank Grillo and America Ferrera.
David Ayer Movies: Sabotage (2014)
This film was directed and produced by Ayer and he re-wrote the original script by Skip Woods. Sabotage is the story of John “Breacher” Wharton (Arnold Schwarzenegger), who leads a DEA special ops team (Sam Worthington, Miereille Enos, Joe Manganiello, Terrence Howard, Josh Holloway, Max Martini and Kevin Vance). Once again, these cops aren’t on the up and up and some stolen money causes some big trouble for the group.
David Ayer Movies: Fury (2014)
In a bit of a departure, Ayer wrote, directed and produced this film about a group of U.S. soldiers in Nazi Germany in WWII. The film stars Brad Pitt as U.S. Army staff sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier who commands the crew (Michael Peña, Shia LaBeouf, Jon Bernthal and new recruit Logan Lerman) of an M4A3E8 Sherman “Easy Eight” tank named “Fury.” It’s near the end of the war and the film looks at the brutal conditions soldiers (and the citizens of the places they fought) dealt with during the war. It all culminates in a huge battle which not everyone survives.
Which David Ayer film is your favorite? Which character are you looking forward to seeing most when Suicide Squad hits theaters on August 5? We want to know, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Stay tuned to ComingSoon.net for more coverage of the film!
(Photo Credit: JLN Photography / WENN.com)
