Gavin O'Connor to write and direct 'Suicide Squad 2'

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Los Angeles: DC has finally found a name to helm the much-awaited sequel of 'Suicide Squad'.

Gavin O'Connor, who directed Ben Affleck in the hit action-thriller 'The Accountant', has been tapped to write and helm ' Suicide Squad 2,' according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The decision comes after months of Warner Bros. searching for someone to direct the sequel to its all-star movie.

'Hacksaw Ridge' helmer Mel Gibson was a frontrunner early in the year, while Jaume Collet-Serra, who directed the shark thriller 'The Shallows', was the favorite in the summer before he took the job directing 'Jungle Cruise' for Disney.

2016's 'Suicide Squad' was directed by David Ayer, which followed villains Deadshot, Harley Quinn, the Joker, Captain Boomerang and Killer Croc, who are forced into the service of the government in exchange for lighter sentences.

Ayer is now working on 'Gotham City Sirens' with Harley Quinn actress Margot Robbie, which centers on the female villains of the DC Universe.

The cast is expected to return for the sequel.