Leto doesn’t find the new Clown Prince very funny.
The new Joker film is currently pulverizing the box office despite concerns of violent presences, which have thankfully not come to pass. Many fans and critics have been calling Joaquin Phoenix’s role as the newborn Clown Prince of Crime the best since the performance of the late Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight. However, one actor is less than stoked about Joker‘s success, and it’s none other than his previous actor, Jared Leto.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Leto felt “alienated and upset” when Joker was given the go-ahead with Phoenix in the star’s chair. Leto was expected to reprise his role as the Suicide Squad iteration of the Joker in a standalone film back in June of 2018, but aside from the upcoming Harley Quinn spin-off Birds of Prey, no new Suicide Squad projects have arisen from this particular universe.
When the new Joker was announced in 2017, Leto said he was “confused” about there being two different Joker films in production with two different leads. With Suicide Squad receiving the reboot treatment from James Gunn, it’s looking less and less likely that Leto will receive the opportunity to play Joker again, especially with how well Phoenix’s performance has gone over.