Much like “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice,” the story around “Suicide Squad” is becoming much more interesting than the film itself. In fact, Margot Robbie signing up to star in the movie before there was even a script or cast, might be the tamest part of a production that saw Jared Leto earn headlines for his method-acting approach where he antagonized his fellow cast members in order to better play The Joker. Part of this involved sending nasty “gifts” to the ensemble, with one tall tale going that part of the package sent around was used condoms. Gross. But the director has now clarified that wasn’t really the case.
READ MORE: The Bad Guys Get Nastier In New Trailer For ‘Suicide Squad’
“Look, they weren’t used condoms,” David Ayer told Rolling Stone. “Let’s be real here. They’re removed from their packages, but it wasn’t actually used. And, of course, I was mortified. Like, ‘Jared, put that stuff away — get that out of here, what are you doing?’ ”
For Leto though, that was all part of trying to put his own mark on the character, one that has seen more than one iconic performance come before him.
“Heath [Ledger] did an impeccable, perfect performance as the Joker,” Leto told the magazine. “It’s one of the best performances ever in cinema. I had met Heath before. I didn’t know him well, but he was a beautiful person.”
So as Leto went down the path of preparing to play the villain, his research meandered down some extreme avenues. “The Joker is incredibly comfortable with acts of violence,” he said. “I was watching real violence [on YouTube], consuming that. There’s a lot you can learn from seeing it. Not every act of violence is committed with frenzy, either. I remember learning that. People can be calm. They’ve made their choice and go and do something, and it’s not in a frenzy. It’s methodical and sometimes even hypnotic and deliberate.”
However, Leto wasn’t the only one going to the edge to get ready for the movie. Jai Courtney, who plays Boomerang, also pushed the limits for the anti-superhero film, getting into a particular “mood” when jumping on a Skype call with Ayer.
“That night I happened to eat some mushrooms, and I did self-inflict some burns,” he told Empire (via Yahoo). Intense.
**SPOILERS AHEAD**
So it sounds like a lot of preparation….for what is ultimately a peg in a larger franchise machine. As much as the initial plan was for “Suicide Squad” to stand slightly apart from the rest of DC Films, it’s now has a lot of hopes pinned onto its sleeve. WB wants this to be the movie to unequivocally win over the fanboys and mainstream crowds in the way that “Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice” didn’t. And for better or worse, that means cramming in some Justice League cameos.
You’ll be seeing Ben Affleck‘s Batman, and it seems there’s another character dropping by, with THR reporting that Ezra Miller’s The Flash will appear in “Suicide Squad.” Maybe he’ll pop up alongside Batman? After all, we did already see their meeting in the teaser footage for “Justice League.”
**SPOILERS END**
So, with all the footage that has been released so far, the cameo appearance being leaked, and every corner covered, what’s left? Well, you can find out on August 5th. Check out some new promo material below.