The Future of the Joker: Will Jared Leto Return for a Stand-Alone Film?

When it comes to the iconic role of the Joker, one name that immediately pops up is Jared Leto. However, recent developments suggest that Leto may not be returning to the role anytime soon, at least not with a stand-alone film.

The Misunderstood Tale

There was once a time when it was considered that Jared Leto would headline his own Joker movie, but this was more of a distant dream rather than a concrete plan. Back in the early days of the DCEU (DC Extended Universe), talks about Leto starred as the Joker began to circulate, but it seems these discussions were premature. Leto was never in the running for Joker 2019, a role secured by the now-iconic performance of Joaquin Phoenix.

The Leto Departure

When Jared Leto was cast in Suicide Squad, fans were thrilled. His performance, however, did not meet the acclaim many hoped for. In fact, it was almost universally panned, highlighting his struggles with the role and his perceived difficulty to work with. These trials and tribulations in the film world have led many to question whether Leto has the right to return to the role of the Joker, especially for a stand-alone movie.

The Phoenix Renaissance

With Manchester by the Sea and Joker, Joaquin Phoenix has established himself as a powerful and versatile actor. The incredible success of Phoenix's portrayal of the Joker in Joker 2019 has set a high bar for future iterations of the character. Offering a completely different take on the villain, Phoenix's Joker is a dark, brooding, and psychologically complex character that resonated with audiences worldwide. Expecting Leto to bring back similar levels of depth and humanity in his performance would be a tall order, especially given his past struggle with the role.

Current and Future Roles

With the success of Joker and the audience's reception to Phoenix's performance, it is highly unlikely that Leto would be cast for a stand-alone film under current circumstances. Morbidly speaking, the only place we might see Leto as the Joker is in Suicide Squad and its sequel. For now, it looks like Leto's time with the character has come and gone.

Conclusion

While fans might still hold out hope for a Jared Leto jury report on the Joker, the current narrative suggests that he is out of the running for a standalone film. Until DC Comics cleans up some of its plot holes and restructuring, it is highly improbable that we will see the character of Morbius overshadowing the Joker role in Leto's career. For now, obsessing over the possibility of a Leto-led Joker might be a waste of time, better spent enjoying other DC characters and films.

Keywords: Joker, Jared Leto, Stand-Alone Film