‘Suicide Squad’ Director David Ayer Says ‘The World Stops’ When Jared Leto’s Joker Steps On Set

Jared Leto. Actor, rock star, walking meme/troll target.

And according to Suicide Squad director David Ayer, the greatest Joker ever.

OK, Ayer didn’t exactly say that. Not completely. But if you read between the lines of his interview with Total Film and delve deeply into his description of Leto’s performance as the iconic DC Comics villain, you’d think Heath Ledger’s Oscar-winning performance never even happened and that the character was indeed written to be played by Leto, an Oscar-winner himself:

“When he steps onto the set the world stops… Everything stops. What he’s done is so powerful, so menacing, so palpable, you can feel him. The crew stops working and just watches him. I have to get everybody going again because he’s so fascinating.”

Wow. We know Ayer has a movie to promote and that pumping up Leto as the Joker is pretty much a requirement at this point given all the laughs the internet has provided us at his expense these past several months. But man, that’s some serious praise there. It borders on idolatry.

Suicide Squad looks to be in great shape. It’s trailer is dope and Batman v. Superman is setting box office records this weekend. This all portends to big things for Ayer’s movie, which of course stars Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Viola Davis and many, many more.

It also stars Jared Leto. Which David Ayer will be more than happy to remind you.

(via Vulture)

×