Fear not, I don't come bearing news of yet another Joker project; after it was revealed that Warner Bros. was putting a Joker origin story into development, as well as a Joker and Harley Quinn movie and a SUICIDE SQUAD sequel, we're probably feeling a little Joker-ed out at the moment. With all the Joker projects suddenly floating around, there were rumours that Jared Leto, who played the character in SUICIDE SQUAD, wouldn't be back to reprise his role. Although Leto very likely won't be playing the Joker in the standalone origin story, he's still set to return as the clown prince of crime for the other projects.
While speaking on Australian radio-show Kyle and Jackie O, Jared Leto cleared up the confusion by clarifying that he's still committed to the role and remains a part of the DCEU.
No, there's so much hype and so much bullshit around that, I think it's just fun thing to talk about. Even when the movie [Suicide Squad] came out, there was so much misrepresentation about what went down, about the method acting crap. It's just, you know, 90% of it was not even true. It just takes on a life of its own. [Filming Suicide Squad] was an incredible experience, everybody was amazing. Margot Robbie [is] one of the nicest people and one of the best actresses I've ever worked with. I really loved working with her. I thought the scenes we did together were some of the most fun I've ever had on a set before. But everything is great in that world and I'm really proud to be a part of it.
I know that Jared Leto's portrayal of The Joker in SUICIDE SQUAD didn't exactly win over audiences, but I'm more than willing to give Leto a second chance. Stripping away all the "hype and bullshit" surrounding his performance will certainly be a step in the right direction, as will actually giving the character something to do. I'm a little apprehensive about these Joker-centric projects as I feel that the character works best when he simply storms through the story at key moments, like a force of nature, but if they can find something interesting, and fitting, for The Joker to do, hey, they've got my attention.
The recently announced Joker origin story is still in the early stages and is reported to fall under the direction of Todd Phillips (THE HANGOVER) with Martin Scorsese producing. The film will feature a new actor taking on the role and will apparently be a "gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film set in early-80's Gotham City" which is meant to feel more like TAXI DRIVER or RAGING BULL. It also won't be connected to the main DCEU universe, and will instead be the first film under a new banner which will allow Warner Bros. to "expand the canon of DC properties and create unique storylines with different actors playing the iconic characters." Even if you're not pumped about the Joker film, the prospect of a series of Elseworlds-type projects is awfully interesting. The Joker/Harley Quinn project will see Jared Leto and Margot Robbie returning to reprise their roles and is being described as "an insane and twisted love story. WHEN HARRY MET SALLY on Benzedrine." Lovely.
Are you willing to give Jared Leto a second chance as The Joker or is Warner Bros. making a mistake by not recasting the role?