If it seems hard to pin down exactly where Warner Bros. is taking the DC Comics extended universe on the big screen, you’re not alone. Jared Leto was reportedly upset that there was talk of multiple Jokers running around in the upcoming Warner film release schedule. He had only just finished devouring the role and mailing the leftovers to his co-stars in Suicide Squad, only scratching the surface of where the character could go. Now with talk of the Todd Phillips Joker origin film with Martin Scorsese producing and Leonardo DiCaprio rumored for the title role, it seems that there could be a Joker competition brewing on the horizon.
Or it did before this interview with Jared Leto and 30 Seconds To Mars guitarist Tomo Miličević at the Destiny 2 launch event. After discussing their memorable VMAs appearance at the end of August, complete with the thermal imagery and Travis Scott, the chat turns to Leto’s DC Comics role and the confusing nature of Warner Bros. plans. As it turns out, he agrees that it is confusing but is also very relaxed about the role:
“I love the Joker,” Leto explained. “He’s a great character and really fun character to play. But it’s a big universe and when you play the Joker, there’s no ownership there. You have the honor of holding the baton for a little while and then passing it off.”
This couldn’t be further from the Leto we read about during the filming of Suicide Squad. That’s not to say his view on the character has changed or that he did claim ownership before giving it up. It’s more related to him sending people rats and used condoms, taking ownership without actually declaring it. Either way, it would seem he’s not too upset at the idea of someone else playing The Joker while he’s off in another film fooling around with Harley Quinn.
It should be interesting if we do end up with two Jokers running around at movie theaters. If method acting Jared Leto gets wild, you’d have to think the other actor playing The Joker — be it Leonardo DiCaprio or someone else — would get terrorized. It’ll be Stanley Kubrick calling Stephen King late at night about God all over again.
(Via Vulture / On Demand Entertainment)