The Suicide Squad Director Explains Why Jared Leto’s Joker Isn’t In The Movie

It was revealed earlier this year that Jared Leto won’t be appearing as The Joker is James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, and many people were wondering why that might be.

It was especially strange because other actors from the first Suicide Squad movie had been confirmed for the movie, such as Margot Robbie (as Harley Quinn), Jai Courtney (as Captain Boomerang) and Joel Kinnaman (as Rick Flag).

There were rumours that Gunn simply doesn’t think much of Jared Leto as an actor and didn’t want him to appear in his movie. Yet, it turns out that there’s another reason behind Leto’s omission from the movie.

All was revealed during a recent Q&A that director James Gunn had on his Instagram account.

Why isn’t Jared Leto’s Joker in The Suicide Squad?

james gunn suicide squad dc comics dceu

James Gunn explains why Jared Leto isn’t in the movie – Credit: Instagram

Read more: Could Joaquin Phoenix Be The Second Actor To Win An Oscar For Playing The Joker?

He was asked by a fan: “How can you justify a Suicide Squad movie, that does not have a Joker in it?”

Gunn’s response was pretty resounding, as he replied: “No one but me and a few others know all the characters in the movie, but if the Joker isn’t in the film, I don’t think it would be strange as he isn’t a part of the Suicide Squad in the comics.”

To be honest, I thought it was a bit of a PR stunt having Jared Leto’s Joker in the first movie because Gunn is correct. The Joker isn’t a part of the Suicide Squad comics and there was no real reason for having him in the first movie apart from turning up in a helicopter and crashing.

His scenes in the first Suicide Squad could have been removed and the movie would have practically the same. He has some moments where he does that laugh, interrogates some guy and makes a weird growling noise.

The Suicide Squad doesn’t need a Joker

jared leto as the joker in suicide squad

Jared Leto as the Joker in Suicide Squad (credit: Warner Bros.)

Read more: Here’s The Real Reason Why Joker Doesn’t Have A Post Credits Scene

The whole movie was strange, but Leto’s performance was definitely the most inexplicable thing about the film. There’s also the fact that he would do strange things on set including sending used condoms and anal beads to his co-stars, which just isn’t on.

Gunn seems to be the kind of director who likes having a fun set, and that sort of stuff isn’t fun and isn’t needed at all.

Do you think Jared Leto’s Joker should be in The Suicide Squad? Let us know in the comments below.

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