Jared Leto portrayed the Joker David Ayer’s ‘Suicide Squad,’ but his performance became a point of controversy. Criticized for various reasons and given limited screentime, Leto’s Joker has divided fans. However, there are valid reasons for his return to the DCU.
5. He Barely Had A Screentime
Photo Credit: Suicide Squad
Leto’s Joker appears in ‘Suicide Squad’ for less than 15 minutes. Midway through the film, his helicopter crashes, and he doesn’t reappear until the final scene. Director David Ayer later revealed that the Blu-ray version of the film included over 10 minutes of deleted scenes. When asked if these scenes featured the Joker and Harley Quinn, Ayer cryptically replied, “Maybe.”
Leto himself expressed frustration over the cuts, jokingly saying, “Were there any [scenes] that didn’t get cut? I’m asking you. There were so many scenes that got cut from the movie, I couldn’t even start. If I die anytime soon, it’s probably likely that it’ll surface somewhere. That’s the good news about the death of an actor—all that stuff seems to come out.”
Fans on Reddit have similarly lamented his limited screentime and expressed interest in seeing more of his portrayal.
4. He Was Under Pressure — A Lot
Photo Credit: Warner Bros.
A poll conducted by The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Leto’s Joker was far less popular than those played by Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger.
Ledger’s Oscar-winning portrayal of the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’ became legendary, especially after the actor’s untimely death. Similarly, Nicholson’s performance in ‘Batman (1989)’ is beloved by fans. These iconic versions set an exceptionally high standard, creating immense pressure for Leto to make his own mark on the character.
3. Leto Had A Unique Chemistry With Margot Robbie’s Harley
Photo Credit: Suicide Squad
‘Suicide Squad’ marked the first live-action portrayal of the Joker and Harley Quinn’s iconic relationship. While the film only scratched the surface of their dynamic, it depicted the Joker as deeply infatuated with Harley, showcasing a romantic side not often seen in other adaptations.
Since their relationship originated in ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ in the 1990s, it has been known for its volatile nature. Although fans wanted to see more of their interactions, Leto’s portrayal added a unique layer to their chemistry. Even his costume design—initially divisive—complemented Harley’s look perfectly.
However, Leto did not reprise his role as the Joker in ‘Birds of Prey,’ which starred Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn.
2. He’s A Chance To Modernize Joker
Photo Credit: Suicide Squad
Leto’s interpretation of the Joker embraced a bold, modern aesthetic with neon green hair, tattoos, and a gold grill. This version of the character deviated significantly from past portrayals, which were often grounded in chaos and psychological menace, such as Heath Ledger’s in ‘The Dark Knight’ or Joaquin Phoenix’s in ‘Joker.’
While some fans found this flashy, playful take jarring, it could serve as an opportunity to modernize the Joker for a new era. However, the drastic departure from Nicholson’s and Ledger’s iconic versions left audiences divided, with many feeling it was too soon to reinvent the character.
1.He’d Shine In His Own Movie
Photo Credit: Suicide Squad
In ‘Suicide Squad,’ Leto’s Joker felt more like an exaggerated cameo than a central character. Variety previously reported plans for a standalone Joker movie starring Leto, but no updates have been shared since.
A solo film would allow Leto to fully develop his version of the character, closing plot holes and giving him the screentime needed to flesh out his take on the Clown Prince of Crime. With the right direction and a dedicated script, Leto’s Joker could finally achieve the depth and complexity fans expect.
