‘Suicide Squad’ May Add Jared Leto as The Joker

After confirming the casting of Margot Robbie’s (The Wolf of Wall Street) as Harley Quinn in the Suicide Squad, an insider at Warner Bros. has revealed to The Wrap the studio’s interest in nabbing Jared Leto (Requiem for a Dream) for the vixen’s mentor, The Joker. To be directed by David Ayer (Fury), the film will follow a team of supervillains given a chance for redemption after being sent on a life-threatening mission by the government.

The film is being adapted for the big screen by Justin Marks (Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li) and is slated for an August 5, 2016 release.

Following up last years’ Oscar-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club with a role as The Joker – who in recent memory was nearly perfected by Heath Ledger in 2008’s The Dark Knight – would be an interesting challenge for the typically ambitious actor. It wouldn’t be a surprise therefore, to see Leto take on this infamously complex character. Watching him spar intellectually with Robbie’s Harley Quinn would also undoubtedly be a treat for audiences. Without any other projects in production for Leto, besides touring with his band 30 Seconds to Mars, Suicide Squad could be a serious possibility.

Standout actors such as Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises), Will Smith (Hancock), and Jesse Eisenberg (The Double) are also being eyed for roles in the film. Check back soon as the DC Comics adaptation determines its full cast within the coming months.