Coupled with the news last week that Tom Hardy has backed away from playing Rick Flagg in Warner Bros.' Suicide Squad, was a report that the studio was eyeing Jake Gyllenhaal to replace him. Variety now reports that Jake Gyllenhaal has turned down the role. Warner Bros. wouldn't comment on the report, and it isn't known who the studio is now seeing to play Rick Flagg. There will be potential SPOILERS that follow below, based on rumors that have surfaced recently, so read on at your own risk.

Shortly after Tom Hardy's departure, a report surfaced that claimed the actor backed away from the project because of revisions to the script that gave more screen time to Deadshot (Will Smith) and The Joker (Jared Leto), resulting in a diminished role for Rick Flagg and the rest of the Suicide Squad. Another report revealed the twist ending of this new script, where Rick Flagg, who is described as a "watchdog" overseeing Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) and her Squad, is actually the main villain, working together with his father, Rick Flagg Sr., to steal the weapons Waller is trying to amass.

Of course, none of these plot details have been confirmed as authentic yet, since there is very little we know about the story, except for the main cast of characters, which also includes Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Jai Courtney (Boomerang) and Cara Delevingne (Enchantress). We also reported yesterday that Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice star Ben Affleck is rumored to appear at the end of Suicide Squad as Batman, setting up a future movie where he squares off with The Joker, after his prison escape.

David Ayer (Fury) is directing Suicide Squad from his own script, with production scheduled to begin this April at Pinewood Studios Toronto. Are you disappointed that Jake Gyllenhaal passed on the Rick Flagg role? Who would you like to see portray the character? Chime in with your thoughts below.