We’re gonna need a bigger comments section. With Warner Bros. gearing up "Suicide Squad," they are not wasting any time in trying to land big names. Will Smith and Tom Hardy are both said to be receiving offers for the movie, but one name also mentioned early on has dropped out, with another sizable name stepping in for what might be the most challenging role in the entire DC Comics canon.
The Wrap reports that Jared Leto is being sought to play The Joker in "Suicide Squad," a role previously offered to Ryan Gosling, who balked at having to sign up for multiple movies. That sound you hear is fanboys crying, but that’s to be expected. The same sound was heard when Christopher Nolan chose Heath Ledger to play the iconic villain in "The Dark Knight." And hey, Leto has an Oscar under his belt for what can’t be denied was a transformative and terrific performance in "Dallas Buyer’s Club," so as far as choices go, we’re curious to see what he does with this part….if he signs on.
Nothing is official at the moment, but the news plays into the recent speculation that the role Cara Delevingne is circling is that of Harley Quinn, Joker’s sidekick. This report also shuts down rumors that Callan Mulvey had been cast as The Joker in "Batman v. Superman: Dawn Of Justice." And there are a couple more curious things to note.
The script by Justin Marks originally didn’t contain the character, but director David Ayer is rewriting the screenplay and including the villain as part of his draft. It’s noted that Leto actually looked into playing "Doctor Strange," but Marvel wanted a bigger star for the role (and kudos to them for landing Benedict Cumberbatch for the gig).
So those are a few things to think about, but Leto as the most instantly recognizable DC Comics villain? Let us know how you feel below.
Updates: Collider reports that "The Wolf of Wall Street" actress Margot Robbie has joined the cast as Harley Quinn. Meanwhile, "Fury" actor Jon Bernthal may have let it slip that he’s in some kind of talks.
11.20.14 Update: Leto responds. He doesn’t deny it, basically admits that he’s read the script for it, but beyond that doesn’t say much more beyond the fact that he believes a role needs to be very special for him to sign on for.
In a perfect world, Daniel Day-Lewis would play the Joker ? in a perfect world DDL wouldn\’t make proganda like LINCOLN
Casey Affleck!
i\’m here to support jake gyllenhaal as the joker.
I think Michael Pitt could nail the Joker role.
Michael Wincott. Period.
(Take a look at his body of work and try to argue.)
@ Nate – yeah, he could be good, but there\’s no way he\’d go anywhere near a role that Ledger already played.
Jared Leto = a pretty middling choice, in my opinion. What made Ledger so great in the role was the (frankly brilliant) choices he made to create a character that was totally unpredictable. Not to put too fine a point on it, but — and I say this as one of the naysayers before I saw his performance — the guy may have been a legitimate genius at acting. Not sure Leto is at that level, so I doubt he\’ll be able to escape Ledger\’s shadow, but then again, I get the impression that this is gonna be one of those movies that exists to ultimately be cable-filler, so quality be damned.
i have to say i could totally imagine jared leto doing it, if warner goes with the new 52 look of the joker it would be jared leto waring a mask cut out of his own skin creepy!…. and his acting skills you can\’t deny even though he did some shabby movies…
You guys are idiots I guess no one has ever seen requiem for a dream….. Ryan gosling would disgrace the joker in every way possible as would Daniel day Lewis and jake gylenhal would make this film unwatchable…… In a perfect world Heath would play the joker again because no one will ever do a better job at it than him but other than him in a perfect world Christian bale would play the joker but that obviously can\’t happen because he was already batman so after those too I don\’t see a better option than Leto he will do the best possible job someone not named Heath ledger can do
Very curious to see what he\’d do with Joker. Gosling could have been great, imagine that slightly twisted, leading man smoulder that he brings to things like Drive turned fully psychotic. Then again, he may have hammed it up as he did in Gangster Squad and turned in a turd of a performance. I\’ve got my eyes on you Ayer. If Fury is anything to go by, this could have real promise.
Jake Gyllenhaal would make the most fantastic joker the world has seen. Hands down, cased closed. Watch Nightcrawler, Donnie Darko, Prisoners, or Zodiac, and tell me he wouldn\’t be perfect for the role. He\’s spent his entire career playing in psychological thrillers – in the words of the clown himself, all he needs is a little push.
I love Jared and think he has amazing acting skills, but I just don\’t think he\’d be the right fit for The Joker. Those are some pretty big shoes to step in after Heath\’s portrayal in Nolan\’s DKR, and while I\’m not doubting his skills I\’m just saying I don\’t think it\’s the best fit, I don\’t think he\’d be able to undergo this transformation.
I\’m also very dubious of Cara as Harley, considering how little acting experience she has (even though she has the \’right\’ look for the role).
Ryan Gosling would have been fascinating and likely great as the Joker. He\’s a talented actor and it would have been fascinating to see him transform into the Joker. Jared Leto on the other hand is kind of an easy choice and not very inspired. Maybe he\’ll be great, but I can\’t help but prefer a more inspired and talented actor. In a perfect world, Daniel Day-Lewis would play the Joker.
So I guess WB strategy of picking up Gosling\’s panned debut for distribution didn\’t work.