Jared Leto’s Joker performance is one of the most polarizing aspects of David Ayer’s Suicide Squad movie. So much so, expectations are very low he would be around for James Gunn’s re-upped Task Force X. Those expectations could be premature if a new report holds water.
We Got This Covered reported they got their hands on an “official production document” with Jared Leto’s name on it. They didn’t produce the document, but assuming it’s real, they note Leto could be back, probably in a minor cameo or flashback. That would mean a clip from the last movie.
WGTC reached out to Warner Bros. and the studio declined to comment. Also, their “sources haven’t yet been able to confirm or deny whether or not Leto is definitely onboard for the sequel.” It’s possible but there are two mitigating factors that point to the contrary.
Not the Marvel Way
WB is reshuffling the DC cinematic deck and taking the emphasis away from a shared universe concept, i.e., walking away from continuity created by Zack Snyder. That includes changing up characters and some casting, including Mr. J.
Todd Phillips’ Joker was the first indication Warner would part ways with Leto and his version of Gotham’s Clown Prince of Crime. Two solo movies were on the docket at one point, one for Leto and another for Joaquin Phoenix. That was reduced to the one out in October and by all appearances, Leto’s Joker was shown the exit. (Related: Report: Joker Will Not Be Based On Any Comic Continuity)
They go as far as, literally, emancipating Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey. Her Puddin’ throws her out on the street in set photos and she reinvents herself as a newly independent woman. Joker’s face is obscured but it is another actor in the scene, not Leto. (Related: New Birds of Prey Set Photos Appear to Show Joker Kicking Harley Quinn Out)
Out-Gunned, Sugar
The other problem is Jared Leto might have friction with The Suicide Squad’s writer and director, James Gunn. As Cosmic Book News notes, Gunn casually accused Leto of sleeping with underage girls more than once in the past. On another occasion, he tweeted his thought that Leto is a “d-ck.”
Gunn has apologized to a fault for his remarks and the offending tweets were deleted after further debauched comments and off-color jokes about pedophilia from his account surfaced. Disney briefly fired him over it. (Related: Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Director James Gunn Opens Up About Being Fired By Disney)
Never Say Never
Playing The Joker again is not beneath the Oscar-winning actor. In May, he stated to Variety if “the script and the circumstances” are right he would. He also neither confirmed nor denied he might do so in Birds of Prey. Prior to that, he expressed dissatisfaction with the way David Ayer’s Suicide Squad turned out, claiming it wasn’t the movie he was pitched. (Related: Jared Leto Reveals Whether or Not He Will Return as Joker in Birds of Prey)
The Suicide Squad enters production in Georgia next month. Jared Leto is unconfirmed but we can say with certainty Margot Robbie, Viola Davis, Joel Kinnaman, and Jai Courtney are attached. It opens Aug. 2021.
For a Joker fix, Todd Phillips’ movie starring Joaquin Phoenix releases October 4th.