With all the attention surrounding the release of Batman v Superman, it might be easy to forget Suicide Squad's debut this August, complete with a brand new Joker, played by Jared Leto! This film mark's the Joker's introduction into the DC Extended Universe, and Leto's performance and appearance have been discussed at length, from the tattoos adorning his body to the "gifts" he presented his castmates on set.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Leto discussed how he felt the need to shake things up a bit.
“You just knew you had to do something different. You had to make it your own," said Leto.
"That happens all the time. Whether you’re a composer working on a piece of music that was written a century ago, or you’re an actor on stage, reinterpreting a play, it’s very common these days. Directors take on great works of cinema, actors reinterpret roles, that’s been going on for a great deal of time. From Scarface to Hamlet. In some ways it’s really interesting to reinterpret, redefine." Despite any concerns about this unique take, it's hard to disagree with Leto here...the Joker has had a number of strange and colourful physical apperances over the years, and this one seems to be no different in personality.
“It a weighty thing to do," Leto continued.
"But it’s exciting. The Joker is one of those roles. He was written brilliantly when he was first shared with the world 75 years ago, or something crazy like that. And I think I’m just really grateful I had the opportunity.”
It feels good to be bad… Assemble a team of the world’s most dangerous, incarcerated Super Villains, provide them with the most powerful arsenal at the government’s disposal, and send them off on a mission to defeat an enigmatic, insuperable entity. U.S. intelligence officer Amanda Waller has determined only a secretly convened group of disparate, despicable individuals with next to nothing to lose will do. However, once they realize they weren’t picked to succeed but chosen for their patent culpability when they inevitably fail, will the Suicide Squad resolve to die trying, or decide it’s every man for himself? Directed by David Ayer, starring Will Smith (Deadshot), Jared Leto (the Joker), Joel Kinnaman (Rick Flag), Margot Robbie (Harley Quinn), Viola Davis (Amanda Waller), Jai Courtney (Captain Boomerang), Cara Delevingne (Enchantress), with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Killer Croc), Jay Hernandez (El Diablo), Adam Beach (Slipknot) and Karen Fukuhara (Katana), Suicide Squad is set to open on August 5, 2016!
About The Author:
Matt is a graduate of the Ryerson University School of Journalism, and has been a fan of superheroes since he picked up his first comic book issue as a child. While he works as a professional musician, Matt has a massive passion for comic books, films and heroes, along with participating in discussion and debate with the CBM community.