Jared Leto has opened up on the two Joker films currently in development at Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment.
It was recently revealed that the studio is simultaneously developing two different Joker projects the first being a Joker and Harley Quinn movie with Jared Leto and Margot Robbie both reprising their respective roles from Suicide Squad. Glenn Ficarra and John Requa, the duo behind Crazy Stupid Love are set to write and direct the film.
The second Joker film will serve as an origin story for the clown prince of crime and is in the earliest stages of development. Todd Phillips (The Hangover) is attached to direct from a script co-written by Scott Silver (8 Mile) and himself. He’ll also produce the film alongside legendary director Martin Scorsese. The studio is reportedly eyeing Scorsese regular Leonardo Dicaprio to star in the role of the Joker as the film will be outside of the DC Extended Universe under a new banner in an effort to create new and unique storylines as the studio expands DC canon.
Jared Leto was reportedly not happy with the news that the studio was already looking to cast another Joker, only thirteen months after his iteration of the character debuted in theaters. In a new interview with ODE and the launch of Destiny 2, the Joker actor was asked about the recent revelation that a new actor may grace the silver screen as the Joker when he revealed he’s just as confused as fans are:
“I’m a little confused too… but yeah, there are a couple of things happening in the DC world and I loved the Joker, he’s a great character — a really fun character to play.”
Jared Leto went on to add that as an actor he’s only able to carry the torch of such an iconic character for
“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. But there are other films in development and I’m excited to see what comes from them.”
You can check out Jared Leto’s comments in the video below.
Plot details are still under wraps for both of the projects but the Harley Quinn and Joker spinoff is said to be a criminal love story between Harley and the Clown Prince of Crime. As for the Joker origin film, the studio is reportedly looking to tap into Scorsese classics such as Taxi Driver and Raging Bull and set the film in a gritty and grounded 1980s Gotham City. The project is rumored to feature a very young Joker who was tormented over the permanent smile put on his face.
As of now, the Joker and Harley Quinn and the Joker origin movies do not have release date nor is there a timeline on the development of the projects, however, Phillips and Silver are confirmed to be writing the script origin film already.
Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for the latest news on the future of the DC slate as we learn it.
Source: ODE
