Jared Leto's Joker In 'Suicide Squad' Reportedly Based On Frank Miller's 'The Dark Knight Returns'

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Jared Leto The Dark Knight ReturnsLast week, the internet experienced a minor meltdown when director David Ayer tweeted images of Jared Leto‘s golden locks being cut in preparation for his role as the Joker in "Suicide Squad." Certainly, the 30 Seconds To Mars frontman and Oscar-winning actor has big shoes to fill with both Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger having delivered titanic performances as Batman’s arch-nemesis. But Leto is reportedly drawing from beloved source material for his take on the character.

According to Latino Review, the Joker in "Suicide Squad" is based on Frank Miller‘s work in the graphic novel "The Dark Knight Returns," the 1986 graphic novel that more than any other work rehabilitated the Bat-mythos’ image: the general public’s idea of Batman, the Joker and supporting characters up to that point was based on the campy 1960s tv show. After "The Dark Knight Returns," Batman et al would be defined by a relentlessly dark tone, one that looks to define the DC Cinematic Universe that will unfold in the next several years. 

But that’s not all. The site also drops a ton of potential plot spoilers, some of which tie into the rumor about how Ben Affleck‘s Batman comes to appear in the film. We won’t mention them all here, but you can check out the Instagram post below for all the details.

Speaking of which, the director tweeted this week that he’s putting the final touches on the screenplay. He’s certainly racing against the clock with production slated to start next month in Toronto. Not only that, casting is still yet to be finalized for a handful of characters including Deathstroke. 

"Suicide Squad" arrives on August 5, 2016.

Today’s #SUICIDESQUAD FIRE is all about Jared Leto’s THE JOKER! So what I’m being told, Leto’s Joker is most definitely based on THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS version. He’s lean & scarred but his suit does have broad shoulders. Joker works out in his cell like an inmate when he is interrogated by Amanda Waller. He’s doing hand stand push ups so it makes sense that Jared Leto said he is putting on weight. He’s definitely not skinny, but in fact more muscular. He has bleached skin not make up. #SPOILER – He’s killed one of Batman’s sidekicks, there is a lot of references to his past crimes. He kills a lot of people. HUGE #RUMOR – I’m also told The Joker has a lot of scenes with HUGO STRANGE! He’s the psychiatrist at the prison & seems to be a part of the story yet I heard nothing of casting or mention of a single casting choice. Hugo Strange has quite a few interactions with the Joker & Harley Quinn. It’s not the regular security. It’s internal one on one thing. #THEJOKER #THEDARKKNIGHTRETURNS #JAREDLETO #HUGOSTRANGE #AMANDAWALLER #HARLEYQUINN #DC #DCCU #DCCOMICS #SCOOP #FIRE #BOOM

A photo posted by Umberto Gonzalez (@umbertogonzalez) on