David Pierdomenico
As rumors continue to circulate regarding a possible Jared Leto Joker solo film, some fans are eager with anticipation while others remain apprehensive. Building the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has been a tumultuous task at best, and for a myriad of reasons. With an underwhelming performance of Justice League at the box office, some fans fret that this may not be the best move for the franchise. Others argue that it’s the perfect move to shift away from all of Zack Snyder’s dark brooding which plagued the earlier films.
Current State of the DCEU
To condescendingly point out everything the DCEU has done wrong would be to belabor a redundant point. That said things are looking better. The two films of 2017 were both much better received than the two from the previous year. Justice League was still enjoyed by many and Wonder Woman remains the crowning achievement for the cinematic universe. Which leaves an interesting question for Warner Brothers to answer. Will the DCEU continue with crossover films like Batman v. Superman and Justice League, or will it go forward with loosely connected individual films like the upcoming Wonder Woman sequel, Aquaman, and Shazam?
If that’s to be the case, it certainly leaves a great deal of room for Jared Leto to star in a Joker solo film. And if there’s less emphasis on crossing over all the different characters, it would leave more freedom for each film to make its own choices and not be forced to shoehorn references. While this new environment would be conducive for this film to be made, does it necessarily mean it’s the film that fans want?
The Lessons Learned from Suicide Squad
After the abysmal reception to Batman v. Superman, no one was surprised to see Suicide Squad go through a complete makeover. This included reshoots to make it more “fun” and “joke heavy”, as well as a complete re-edit to make it play more like a music video. What resulted was an absolute mess of a film. Many were quick to point out that the Joker barely featured in it, much to Jared Leto’s dismay. Especially after he had publicly devoted himself to the role by engaging in disturbing behavior off camera, because he believed that’s what creates a memorable performance on camera.
Much like Suicide Squad itself, Leto’s performance is filled with style but no real substance or depth. He acts strangely and talks funny for the sake of doing so. His physical appearance and overall demeanor make him seem more like a high school kid playing wannabe gangster rather than the Gotham Prince of Crime he is supposed to be. He tries so hard to convince us that he’s edgy and fascinating rather than ever feeling like he’s a legitimate threat.
It’s Not Entirely Leto’s Fault
Taking on the role of the Joker in Suicide Squad was no easy task. Only eight years earlier, audiences were treated to one of the greatest and most iconic villain performances not just in superhero films, but of all films ever. Attempting to recreate the character on the heels of Heath Ledger was always going to invite disdain by those who loved his performance in The Dark Knight. It was also one that was particularly special to fans due to the tragic fate of Ledger himself. So naturally Leto, as well as director David Ayer, decided to go with a completely different incarnation. One separate not just from Ledger’s but also from Nicholson’s back in 1989.
Even those fans who despised Leto’s Joker had to admit that it took courage to take him in such a different direction, even if it was a terrible one. While we can criticize the idiotic choices made we can’t criticize it simply for not being Heath Ledger. Perhaps if it had been a different character, fans would not have been so angry. Hardly anyone complained about the portrayal of Captain Boomerang, Slipknot, Killer Croc, Diablo, or Katana. Mainly because none of these characters are as beloved or legendary as the Joker is to the entire DC mythos.
Time will only tell. As of now Warner Brothers is barely in preproduction or development. But perhaps we need not worry as this project might have potential. One of the primary criticisms of Suicide Squad was the lack of character arcs, and with the right script and director, this could be a chance to see both Joker and Harley Quinn grow as characters. Or DC might make all the same mistakes they’ve made before. Either way it will be interesting to say the least.
