For those who are unaware, a rumour has been spreading across the internet that suggests that Jared Leto's character, who we see in the trailer for the upcoming
Suicide Squad film, is not the classic Joker we have familiarised ourselves with for decades. The rumour states that Jared Leto is actually playing
Jason Todd, who at some point killed the classic Joker and became his successor. This rumour definitely sounds crazy to the naked ear but many people have begun to believe it, which is why I have decide to look behind the facade and analyse this rumour for what it is.
WHAT IS PLAUSIBLE ABOUT THIS RUMOUR
We know that the DC Extended Universe seems to be taking much inspiration from the Frank Miller
Batman comic books in the same way that the Marvel Cinematic Universe constantly borrows from the Ultimate comic books. We've already seen Batman wear the iconic mechanical armour, the Joker wearing his white suit, the Joker's Frank Miller-esque tattoos, and other references/adaptations of Frank Miller's work.
Well, what is unique to Frank Miller's version of the DC Universe is his interpretation of Dick Grayson. In the Miller comics, the Joker is responsible for the deaths of Grayson's parents. This led Batman to train Grayson to become Robin and join his ongoing war on crime. Eventually, Batman would train Jason Todd to become the second Robin. Batman's partnership with Jason Todd lasted until Todd was killed by the Joker. After that point, Bruce Wayne retired as Batman for a decade before crime in Gotham City spiraled out of control, leading him to put the cape and cowl back on once again.
After Bantman's dismantling of a gang called "the Mutants," the mass murdering Joker broke out of Arkham Asylum and began killing large numbers of innocent victims. Batman chased the Joker down to a carnival and nearly beat the Joker to death. The Joker killed himself and framed Batman for his murder. Once the public began to think Batman was going out of control, the government sent their operative, Superman, to end Batman's crime fighting career. However, Batman was prepared for the Man of Steel and, in an epic conflict, he beat Superman in battle. Much later, a villainous Dick Grayson took on the mantle of the Joker.
Besides the Frank Miller comic books, there are other connections that the several Robins have had to the Joker that make the
Suicide Squad rumour plausible. In the mainstream DC Universe, Joker beat Jason Todd to death with a crowbar, leaving him dead for decades. After Superboy Prime punched
reality, Jason Todd was resurrected from the dead. After his resurrection, Todd assumed the identity of the Red Hood, an identity most associated with the early days of the Joker.
In the DC Animated Universe, the Joker kidnapped Tim Drake (the third Robin) and tortured him into insanity. When the Joker attempted to convince Drake into killing Batman, Drake instead murdered the Joker. Drake's insanity was treated but he had to retire as Robin. Decades later, Drake became the new Joker as an enemy of Batman Beyond.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE NOT CONSIDERING
A lot of people are supporting the rumour that Jason Todd is the the current Joker in the DC Extended Universe but they are forgetting one tiny little detail... a detail that immediately debunks this rumour. What is that detail? If you go back and re-watch the
Suicide Squad trailer, you will notice that the trailer ends with a close up of the Joker's face. But what is he doing? He is talking to Doctor Harleen Quinzel in an obvious flashback, which showcases the origin story of Harley Quinn.
While every comic book movie makes changes when adapting the source material, it is highly improbable that Warner Brothers and DC Entertainment would make a change as drastic as having Jason Todd being the reason for Harley Quinn's creation. They certainly wouldn't make her Jason Todd's love interest. Many have speculated that Jason Todd is Jared Leto's Joker because of the Robin tattoo he has on his arm but that can easily be attributed to the fact that the Joker killed Jason Todd. The tattoo is a mere trophy for doing so.
CONCLUSION
Jason Todd, Smason Smodd. It is highly unlikely that Jared Leto's character is anyone other than the classic Joker we have come to know throughout the decades. That doesn't necessarily mean that we won't see Jason Todd down the line in the movies but, if we do, he probably won't be played by Jared Leto.