In the wake of Batman v Superman, fans are already clamoring about the next film in the DC Cinematic Universe, Suicide Squad. More specifically, the role of Jared Leto as Joker and the
“The work that’s been done on this character by so many people before me has been so impactful, so incredible, so much fun, so profound, so risky, that it’s a very special thing to be asked to take on that responsibility,” Leto tells EW.
Given some of the great performances in the past, Leto compared his inspiration to do something completely different, comparing it to tackling the role of Hamlet.
“You just knew you had to do something different. You had to make it your own. That happens all the time. Whether you’re a composer working on a piece of music that was written a century ago, or you’re an actor on stage, reinterpreting a play, it’s very common these days. Directors take on great works of cinema, actors reinterpret roles, that’s been going on for a great deal of time. From Scarface to Hamlet. In some ways it’s really interesting to reinterpret, redefine.”
Suicide Squad cast includes Will Smith as Deadshot, a master assassin who never misses; Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, the insane counterpart of the Joker; Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as the grotesque Killer Croc, one of Batman’s main villains; Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, who enjoys a good fight; and of course, Leto as a new version of the Clown Prince of Crime.
Joel Kinnaman‘s Rick Flagg, who is being ordered around by Viola Davis‘ Amanda Waller, who is just using these bad guys to do some dirty work. Ben Affleck is expected to appear as Batman at some point, which will be the first time director David Ayer tackles a superhero on the big screen.
“You just knew you had to do something different. You had to make it your own. That happens all the time. Whether you’re a composer working on a piece of music that was written a century ago, or you’re an actor on stage, reinterpreting a play, it’s very common these days. Directors take on great works of cinema, actors reinterpret roles, that’s been going on for a great deal of time. From Scarface to Hamlet. In some ways it’s really interesting to reinterpret, redefine.”
