Jared Leto has been on a bit of a hiatus from the film industry since his Oscar and Golden Globe-winning performance in Dallas Buyers Club, instead focusing on music as the lead singer of Thirty Seconds To Mars. According to several reports, it appears the actor/musician will return to the silver screen this time as DC Comics supervillain, “The Joker”.

Heath Ledger has become synonymous with the “The Joker” character following Christopher Nolan‘s The Dark Knight (2008), for his stellar portrayal of the psychotic criminal mastermind, so filling those shoes will be no easy task. Considering Leto’s track record and ability to lose himself in his roles, we aren’t too concerned.

This incarnation of The Joker will be in an upcoming Warner Bros. X DC Entertainment project titled Suicide Squad. The premise is the Suicide Squad are a group of convicted villains, including other Batman nemesis’ like Harley Quinn and Deadshot, who are sent on extremely dangerous, special ops missions for redemption, think The A-Team.

Insiders say that Ryan Gosling was getting looks for the role, but declined due contractual issues. Other big names, such as Will Smith, Tom Hardy (who played Bane in Dark Knight Rises) and newcomer Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street), are also said to in discussion for roles in the film. 

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last week, Leto hinted at an upcoming role he’s interested in. He said “I do [have my eye on one project]. I am excited about what’s happening.” ”I’ve sworn to keep my mouth shut but I think that very shortly there will be something to talk about, that’s for sure.”

Suicide Squad is set to slated for an Aug. 5, 2016 release. Check back with The Source as more information becomes available.

 

You can find Khari Clarke on Twitter (@KINGCLARKEIII).