Jared Leto first appeared as the Joker in the 2016 film Suicide Squad, a portrayal that sparked considerable controversy. Although excitement over his casting was initially high, the reaction to the first images of his Joker was overwhelmingly negative. The film itself faced harsh criticism, with many viewers singling out Leto’s Joker as a major disappointment. Following Suicide Squad, Leto’s Joker was absent from the DC Universe for several years, leading many to believe that his iteration of the character would not be revisited.
However, this changed unexpectedly when Warner Bros. brought Zack Snyder back to complete his version of Justice League. In what surprised many fans, Jared Leto reprised his role as the Clown Prince of Crime for a brief post-apocalyptic sequence in the Snyder Cut. This appearance marked the character’s return and allowed Leto’s Joker to interact, albeit indirectly, with Ben Affleck’s Batman for the first time on screen within the DC Extended Universe.
A Chilling New Image Shared by Zack Snyder
Continuing his habit of sharing unseen photos from his DC projects, Zack Snyder posted an eerie new image of Jared Leto as the Joker on social media. The image, taken using a 50mm Dream lens Leica in monochrome, presents a haunting glimpse of Leto’s Joker, emphasizing the unsettling tone Snyder sought to establish in his version of the Justice League storyline.
Though brief, this Joker sequence adds a darker, stylistic layer to the character’s presence in the DCEU and highlights Snyder’s unique vision. Fans have noted how this portrayal contrasts sharply with the vibrant and theatrical Joker fitting Suicide Squad, capturing a more somber and post-apocalyptic aesthetic.
Jared Leto Reflects on Returning to the Joker Role
In 2021, Jared Leto appeared on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert to discuss his return as the Joker in Zack Snyder’s Justice League. He expressed his admiration for Snyder’s dedication to completing the film and his excitement at reprising such an iconic character.
“I always loved Zack Snyder and I think that the story behind this Snyder Cut is really, kind of one for the ages—what happened around him not finishing the first film. […] But I was just happy to be part of his dream, and to get asked to play the Joker for a second time was just a treat. It’s one of those roles that is just incredible.”
Jared Leto also revealed that his now well-known phrase, “We live in a society,” was improvised by him and then included in the film’s promotional trailer. When Colbert questioned whether the Joker in Suicide Squad and the Snyder Cut belonged to the same character continuity, Leto clarified that they represented an evolution influenced by the change in directors and time.
“Well, I think it’s an evolution. You know, they’re some years apart, and certainly different directors. When you collaborate with somebody […] it brings out a different side, or a different Joker, a different energy. And when you work with a different director, you bring out different things, or they bring out different things in you. So, I loved working with him. I loved his passion. He knows more about this world than almost anybody.”
The Challenges of Bringing Jared Leto Back as the Joker
The process of securing Jared Leto’s return for Zack Snyder’s Justice League was not straightforward. Deborah Snyder, a producer on the film, detailed the negotiation dynamics in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. She explained that Zack Snyder and Jared Leto engaged in extended conversations before approaching Warner Bros. for approval.
“Zack [Snyder] and Jared [Leto] talked for a while. Before we approached the studio, he wanted to make sure that they would be interested. At first, it was like ‘No,’ and then it was like, ‘Well, maybe,’ and then Zack was like, ‘Do you want to see the scene that I worked on?'”
Deborah Snyder further described how Zack Snyder aimed to honor the original work done by David Ayer for Suicide Squad, while adapting the Joker to fit the post-apocalyptic atmosphere of his film. Their efforts included experimenting with various looks and concepts for the character during a concentrated design period.
“Zack wanted to homage what David [Ayer] had done, but also make it his own. And it was post-apocalyptic, so we tried lots of different looks and everything. It was a couple of day process after doing drawings [of Joker].”
The Broader Impact of Leto’s Joker Under Snyder’s Direction
The reemergence of Jared Leto’s Joker in Zack Snyder’s Justice League adds an intriguing layer to the DC Extended Universe’s portrayal of one of its most infamous villains. While Leto’s initial outing in Suicide Squad was met with mixed reactions, Snyder’s approach provided a darker, more intense perspective on the character, resonating with those who appreciate a grimmer tone.
This post-apocalyptic Joker sequence not only deepened the narrative of the Snyder Cut but also sparked renewed discussion about the character’s future within the franchise. Whether this version of the Joker will return in upcoming projects remains uncertain, but Snyder’s image release serves to keep this incarnation firmly in public consciousness.
