‘Suicide Squad’ Cast Adds Oscar Winner Common, Busy Rapper Also Announced For Next Rob Reiner Project

Since winning the Oscar with John Legend for their powerful song "Glory" for the movie “Selma,” Common is back in the Hollywood spotlight. Today sources told the Hollywood Reporter that the rapper will appear in David Ayers’ “Suicide Squad” movie. The film is already in production in Toronto, which Common will presumably join ahead of his scheduled July shoot with Gerard Butler for “Hunter Killer.”

Common will be joining cast mates Jared Leto (Joker), Will Smith (Deadshot), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flagg), Jai Courtney (Boomerang), Cara Delevingne (Enchantress), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Jesse Eisenberg (Lex Luthor) and Scott Eastwood. There’s a good chance “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” stars Ben Affleck and Henry Cavill will make a crossover cameo in the DC cinematic universe. Don’t rule out the possibility of other soon-to-be Justice Leagers Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman) and Jason Momoa (Aquaman). No word yet on who Common will play in the film.

But that’s not all the actor-musician has coming up. Director Rob Reiner announced that his next project “Being Charlie” will feature Common in a not-yet-specified role. The story, co-written by Reiner’s son Nick, is a romantic drama following two young leads (Nick Robinson and Morgan Saylor) through recovery from addiction and heartache. The Hollywood Reporter says the film is in production in Salt Lake City.

“Empire” showrunner Lee Daniels teased last month that Common will appear in Season 2 of the hit Fox show. “We’re going to have fun,” he said after confirming Common’s guest appearance on “Empire.” The series regularly invited real artists like Snoop Dogg, Patti LaBelle, Courtney Love and Jennifer Hudson to perform on the family drama set in a prestigious record label.

“Suicide Squad” is scheduled to open nationwide Aug. 5, 2016. Neither “Being Charlie” nor “Empire” Season 2 have announced a release date.