Who knew Jared Leto would go from being a singer of a rock band to a winner of an Oscar in just a few years? But right now, his upcoming role is possibly one that will bring him the most pressure.
Suicide Squad is geared to be one of, if not THE, biggest film of 2016 and Leto is set to play one of the most iconic, psychotic villains ever – the Joker.
The Joker has long been a famous villain in the DC universe, terrorising people and their hero, Batman.
Leto is going to be the 12th actor to take on the well known role.
The Joker has appeared on television, video games and multiple film adaptations including Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger and their own takes on the character.
Mark Hamill, otherwise known as Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, has also voiced Batman’s enemy many times and created an iconic voice and laugh for the villain.
However, it is Heath Ledger’s own take on the Joker that has put the most pressure on Leto.
The way Ledger played him has often said to be the best Joker yet, according to DC fans.
Before he sadly died, Heath Ledger played the character in Christopher Nolan’s 2008 film The Dark Knight which Leto called an “impeccable, perfect performance” and discussed in detail how he initially struggled to perfect the villain’s maniac laugh.
Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose after the movie was filmed but he won a posthumous Oscar for best supporting actor for it.
“It’s one of the best performances ever in cinema,” Leto told Rolling Stone magazine. “I had met Heath before. I didn’t know him well, but he was a beautiful person.”
However, he has found some comfort in the fact that the Joker has already been played by a number of actors and been portrayed differently in DC Comic books rather than just having been played by Ledger.
“I think had it only been portrayed by Heath and it was never a comic book, maybe I would have felt that would be inappropriate,” Leto said. “But I thought that given the history, it was OK.
“The good thing about other people having done this is that you know what direction not to head in.”
The actor also stated that he went to extreme lengths to get into character, such as watching real-life violent crimes on YouTube and sending his co-stars various horrific items.
“The Joker is incredibly comfortable with acts of violence,” he said.“There’s a lot you can learn from seeing it.
“Not every act of violence is committed with frenzy, either. I remember learning that. People can be calm.”
He added: “They’ve made their choice and go and do something, and it’s not in a frenzy. It’s methodical and sometimes even hypnotic and deliberate.”
His Joker is coming to the big screen in Suicide Squad on August 5th.
Let us know what you think about Jared playing the Joker @CelebMix!