The Joker is one of the most iconic and complex villains in the superhero universe, Known for his maniacal laugh and brilliant criminal mind. This character has been adapted numerous times both in comics and on the big screen, with interpretations that have left indelible marks on popular culture. Among all the cinematic incarnations, Heath Ledger’s Joker in “The Dark Knight” is widely considered the best performance. Heath Ledger took the character to new heights with an intense and disturbing performance that earned him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
However, not all versions of the Joker have been received with the same acclaim. Jared Leto’s performance in “Suicide Squad” is often noted as the worst representation of the character on the big screen. Despite intense promotion prior to the film’s release, Jared Leto’s performance was met with mixed, and mostly negative, reviews. Many fans and critics felt that his version of the Joker did not capture the essence of the villain, focusing too much on an over-the-top aesthetic and acting that lacked depth.
One of the most frustrating aspects for the actor’s fans was the amount of screen time his Joker received in “Suicide Squad.” Despite significant promotion of his character in trailers and marketing material, Jared Leto’s Joker appeared in the film only briefly. According to Jared Leto and other cast members, much more Joker material was filmed that ultimately did not make it into the final version of the film. This was confirmed by Margot Robbie, who played Harley Quinn, the Joker’s iconic sidekick. The interpreter mentioned that many additional scenes with the Joker were cut because the producers felt they diverted too much attention from the main plot.
Jared Leto’s Joker was a bad idea
The removal of the aforementioned scenes left viewers with a fragmented and superficial representation of the Joker, which contributed to the negative perception of Jared Leto’s performance. This editorial decision caused major disappointment among fans who were hoping for a deeper exploration of the character, especially after the intense marketing campaign suggesting a more prominent role.
Jared Leto’s approach to the character was also the subject of controversy. The American adopted an extremely immersive acting method, taking his commitment to the role to extreme levels both on and off set. He sent unusual and sometimes disturbing gifts to his co-stars, generating headlines and comments about his unconventional approach. However, this intensity did not translate into a performance that resonated positively with the audience. For all this and more, Jared Leto’s Joker was not a success, which greatly disappointed fans. They wanted a great representation of the character and it wasn’t that way, even after the great marketing that was done to get attention.
