EDITORIAL: Jared Leto's "JOKER" and Why We Should Give Him a Chance

EDITORIAL: Jared Leto's "JOKER" and Why We Should Give Him a Chance

The reception to the Clown Prince's new look has been... mixed, to put it lightly. But Jared Leto and David Ayer are beyond talented. Hit the jump to see why we should give the new Joker a chance.

Editorial Opinion
By LordCommander - May 27, 2015 09:05 PM EST
Filed Under: Suicide Squad

Look into the eyes of madness…

It was just last month that ‘Suicide Squad’ director David Ayer finally released a picture of actor and musician Jared Leto in character as the Clown Prince of Crime. Out there on Twitter for the whole world to see was a “wild” and “radical” reinterpretation of the beloved DC icon. There was no grimy face paint, no vicious scars, but neither was there the cruel pearly-white smile or even the signature purple suit.

No, instead there was sickly pale skin – A lot of sickly pale skin – acting as a living canvas for a plethora of grotesque images, from a chorus of “HAHA”s to a skull in a jester’s hat. Tattoos snaked around Jared Leto’s body, covering his torso, his arms, even his face. That last bit of information turned out to be the main point of contention among Joker fans everywhere, as the word “damaged” was printed in loving cursive across Mr. Leto’s once handsome mug.



Because he’s all messed up!

Reception to this new iteration of The Joker has been rather mixed to say the least. There are some out there in the untamed wild of the internet who have embraced Mister Jay’s new style, while an equal many loathe it vehemently. Phrases such as “try hard”, “edgy” or “classless” have been thrown around, with the most vocal of detractors claiming that Warner Bros. and DC have no idea what to do with their characters.

They may as well just give the rights back to Marvel, correct?



Make Mine A Persistent Internet Troll!

However, as readers can tell from the title of this article, I feel that it would be best to remain open-minded.

‘Suicide Squad’ is a comic book movie unlike any other before it, shining the spotlight on the villains for the majority of the story rather than the heroes, showing what happens after the good guys beat the baddies to a pulp and throw them behind bars – where the baddies are promptly recruited by a shady black-ops group.

The talent working both in and behind the scenes is most impressive, from proven action director David Ayer to accomplished and talented actors such as Will Smith, Margot Robbie, and especially Jared Leto.



Looks like Jesus. Is probably Jesus.

It is important to remember that context is key. Why is The Joker adorned in such ugly ink? Why does he wear metal on his teeth? Why does his ride resemble a hot wheels toy more than an actual car? All of these questions will undoubtedly be answered in the film proper (or, given how frequent they are, by leaked set photos) which is entirely David Ayer’s domain.



Director David Ayer in his natural habitat, fighting the urge to violently murder someone.

Ayer himself has proven to be a force to be reckoned with regarded hard-hitting, gritty action dramas. ‘End of Watch’ and ‘Fury’ showed audiences that he is more than capable of balancing bloody violence with genuine human drama. ‘Training Day’, written - but not directed - by Ayer, is a testament to his ability to craft an engaging story from the actions of a morally bankrupt individual.

Enter Jared Leto, the Academy Award-winning actor. This is a man who is supremely talented, who gives more than most when it comes to molding himself to fit the role he is given. A "method actor", as they call it. This is a man who doesn’t just take any role willy-nilly. Leto is a professional and more than intelligent enough to know whether or not a job is worth it. If a man like Jared Leto is willing to trust David Ayer and his vision, then what does that say about them? What does that say about the people writing them off so soon?

Even with the tattoos, even with the grill, even with the garish car, Jared Leto and David Ayer are skilled and talented enough to make this new Joker not only work, but kill.

Give Ayer and Leto the benefit of the doubt, because come August 2016, there’s a very good chance they will blow your minds… figuratively, I mean. The actual exploding heads can stay firmly in the film world.



Kablooie!
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DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 5/27/2015, 8:11 PM
Yeah, the performance is what really matters.

I wrote a similar article, with a similar name, haha

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/suicide_squad/news/?a=120747

LordCommander
LordCommander - 5/27/2015, 8:15 PM
@DrKinsolving

Darn, you beat me to it. I just wanted to produce something to get me started and this seemed as ripe a topic as any. I don't expect to earn any money right off the bat, but that's what I'm aiming for. DanielSipprelle already helped me get started, but I don't suppose you have any advice for a novice contributor?
DrKinsolving
DrKinsolving - 5/27/2015, 8:26 PM
@LordCommander

Totally man. Not really, my only advice is don't take it too seriously and enjoy. If that makes any sense, haha

This site rocks.
LordCommander
LordCommander - 5/27/2015, 8:32 PM
@DrKinsolving

Gotcha! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
LordCommander
LordCommander - 5/27/2015, 8:33 PM
@RobinHood

Now THAT would have been interesting to see. Imagine Jared rocking a beard like that.

Or did you mean Marvel's Doctor Strange?
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 5/28/2015, 5:29 AM
He should certainly be given a chance. Just look at all the criticism Heath Ledger's Joker received before TDK came out. Now that portrayal is largely considered to not only be the best Joker portrayal on-screen, but so he best villain portrayal in a CBM.

I get criticism though. I don't really like what i've seen of Leto's Joker so far, even if it is only the look. I'll definitely give it a chance though. I was wrong about Ledger, so i won't condemn Leto until I see his performance. Hopefully I'll love it!
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 5/28/2015, 7:36 AM
@ TDKReturnsBat

Why do people like you always have to turn things into a Marvel vs DC thing?

Every actor should be given a chance before judging a particular role. It has absolutely nothing to do with Marvel vs DC.
McGee
McGee - 5/28/2015, 7:38 AM
If I was willing to give 0mega's sister a chance...then God damn it, you people better give Leto a fair chance too!

01928401
01928401 - 5/28/2015, 10:08 AM
All the people bitching will still pay full price to see this opening night. [frick] what they think. Awesome or awful, I'm just here to watch CBMs.
SauronsBANE
SauronsBANE - 5/28/2015, 10:17 AM
@DrKinsolving Haha so that's why I was getting a severe case of deja-vu from reading this title!

@LordCommander Seriously though, good stuff. A ton of people (me included) might not be a fan of the tattoos or the general aesthetic that Ayer seems to be going for...but that preference won't have any bearing at all on the actual quality of the movie itself. Of course it deserves a fair chance and an open mind!

The movie has heaps of personality and it's clearly not afraid of doing its own thing, and that should be something that's extremely appealing to any comic book movie fan.
Archangel82
Archangel82 - 5/28/2015, 10:32 AM
First of all I can completely understand why some people are not on board with the Jokers radical change of image. I will say that the only other actor out there who is capable of giving a really good proformance that's on par with Ledger is Jared Leto. Jareds casting couldn't be more perfect in my opinion. I honestly have grown to like the direction they are taking the Jokers character in the film. I think by giving the Joker a more Punk Rock look fits the character as far as a modern portrayal is concerned. The tattoos, clothing and overall style is in line with Jokers personality even though he doesn't look like that in the comics. It is very plausible that he would look like that in a live action depiction. Whether you are happy with his Punk Rock look or not, one thing is certain that Jared Leto will own the role of the Joker much like Ledger did and will steal every scene he's in. I'm looking forward to what he will bring to the DC Cinematic Universe.
MisterSuperior
MisterSuperior - 5/28/2015, 10:51 AM
How many editorials will there be asking us to give him a chance? Lol.
gamecreatorjj
gamecreatorjj - 5/28/2015, 5:59 PM
I love Leto in everything he is in, this Joker will be on point simply on the Merits of Leto as an actor
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 5/28/2015, 11:14 PM
*sigh* fanboys whining about costumes and the way a character looks again. *sigh*

He looks like the Joker to me, and that's all that matters. I could see being upset if they put him in a business suit with brown hair and a normal face. But, he does have a pale face and he does have green hair. While personally, I think most tatoos are stupid, I can actually see Joker having them. That totally fits the character. So stop whining already. (And yeah, I know, asking a fanboy not to whine is like asking a 7 year old not to whine, especially considering they often have the same emotional maturity. Lol)
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