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Heath Ledger’s Joker was undoubtedly the best version of the modern psychopath in the DC universe. And thereafter, while the late actor’s hauntingly brilliant portrayal earned him an Oscar, it also led Jared Leto to suffer miserably as he dared to take on the mantle from Ledger, in 2016’s Suicide Squad.
Jared Leto as the Clown Prince of Crime | image: DC Studios, Warner Bros. Being an Oscar winner himself, great things were expected from Jared Leto when he took on the role of the Joker in David Ayer’s movie. However, following the release of the film, people were quick to judge Leto’s performance, turning him into a laughing stock. But now, amid Ayer’s promise to release a director’s cut, Leto’s comments about his role led fans to realize Warner Bros’ political move.
Jared Leto broke his silence about his approach to playing The Joker
While Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight had etched itself as one of the most iconic cinematic villains of all time, Jared Leto’s Joker in Suicide Squad became unlike any portrayal fans had seen before. Much like Ledger broke boundaries with his Oscar-winning portrayal, even the Academy Award-winning actor in his own right, raised people’s expectations about his Joker role, based on his previous performances.
Therefore, recalling his approach to his role in David Ayer’s 2016 movie, Jared Leto told Variety about the creative freedom while shooting the scenes. Claiming that there were absolutely no rules and that he could just go to town with his role, Leto hinted at offering his revolutionary take on the character. But then, while his interview narrated one story, the final product turned out to be something completely different.
Jared Leto in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad (2016) | image: DC Studios, Warner Bros. There are a few very few characters that you play that have absolutely no rules, you know, that you could just go to town.
People well-versed with Jared Leto’s filmography—Dallas Buyers Club, Requiem for a Dream, The Little Things, and more—are aware of the actor’s range and skills when it comes to bringing a character to life. So what exactly happened to his Joker role in Suicide Squad, despite Leto recalling his process of going by his method acting approach and utilizing his creative freedom?
Warner Bros. seemingly set up David Ayer’s Suicide Squad to fail
Based on Jared Leto’s interview, after David Ayer had previously revealed how his vision for Joker didn’t materialize as planned, it seems that all fingers are now pointing at Warner Bros. and their habit of interfering, which doomed the film from the very start. Considering how Ayer has been vocal about how the film released in theaters was far from the movie he originally envisioned, it now seems that WB had indeed set Leto to fail as Joker.
Perhaps, the studios’ desperate desire to replicate the success of Marvel’s films back in 2016, led to reshoots and edits that resulted in the chaotic final product. This included sidelining the Joker’s role, which David Ayer has repeatedly confirmed was supposed to be more integral to the story, having better representation. It seems that Warner Bros.’ decision to heavily alter the final cut eventually ruined Leto’s potential and turned him into a laughing stock.
Filmmaker David Ayer | image: Gage Skidmore, licensed under CC BY SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Well, now all hope lies on David Ayer’s potential director’s cut for Suicide Squad. Considering how Zack Snyder’s Justice League extended version revealed the way Warner Bros. had sabotaged the original film, perhaps Ayer’s director cut will also reveal the changes and help people appreciate what Jared Leto had truly done as The Joker. It might finally shift public opinion and unveil how the studios turned the actor into an easy scapegoat for the film’s mixed reception.
Suicide Squad is currently available to watch on Max.
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