Written By Kieran Bugg • U.K. Editor
David Ayer has just shared a new look at Jared Leto as the Joker from his original cut of 2016’s Suicide Squad. There’s no doubt that the Joker is not only one of the most iconic villains in comic books, but also in cinema.
Over the last sixty years the Clown Prince of Crime has appeared seven live action DC films and has been portrayed by six different actors. The character was first brought to life by Cesar Romero who played the Joker opposite Adam West’s Batman in the campy 1966 TV series and it’s theatrical spin-off that released the same year.
David Ayer Shares New Look At Jared Leto’s Joker
Image: Warner Bros. Discovery
Moreover, horror film legend Jack Nicholson was later cast as the psychotic jester in Tim Burton’s Batman movie starring Michael Keaton which hit theatres back 1989. 19 years later, the Joker made his long awaited big screen comeback in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight.
This time, Hollywood heartthrob Heath Ledger would portray the iconic supervillain with initial reactions to this casting choice being overwhelmingly negative. Nonetheless, Ledger surprised the world with his original and unnerving performance which scored the actor a posthumous Oscar win.
Joaquin Phoenix would also win an Oscar for playing the Joker when he starred in an origin film centred on the crazed character. In addition, Barry Keoghan made a brief appearance as a horrifically disfigured version of Batman’s arch rival in Matt Reeves’ The Batman.
While all these takes on the Joker were well received by critics and fans, there’s one more that’s often considered to be the black sheep. You already know I’m talking about Jared Leto’s infamous portrayal of the classic clown in the 2016 DCEU movie Suicide Squad.
His take on the role was universally panned and is still regarded as the worst adaptation of the character to date. Furthermore, Leto’s Joker later returned in Zack Snyder’s Justice League with this performance receiving a more warmer reception.
However this didn’t exactly improve his image. Suicide Squad director David Ayer has always defended Leto’s portrayal of the Joker revealing that his screen time in the original film was ultimately cut down to a supporting role.
David Ayer Shares New Look At Jared Leto’s Joker
Image: Twitter
This revelation was part of the reason fans began petitioning to see David Ayer’s original cut of Suicide Squad. The director himself fully supports this movement and has even shared never before seen behind the scenes looks of his cut.
Most recently, he posted a picture of Jared Leto’s Joker in his famous tuxedo that was inspired by the artwork of Alex Ross. With James Gunn’s new DCU about to go into full swing, fans are hoping that Gunn will release David Ayer’s Suicide Squad so they can finally see Leto’s full performance.