Jared Leto In Line To Be The Next Joker

30 Seconds To Mars frontman, and Oscar winner, Jared Leto might be the first actor to reprise the role of DC Comics’ character The Joker since Heath Ledger’s own Academy Award-winning take on the classic villain for 2008 film The Dark Knight.

TheWarp reports that Leto is being eyed as a potential Joker by Warner Bros. for their new film Suicide Squad, scheduled to hit the big screen in 2016. Leto apparently sought the role of Marvel’s Doctor Strange but with the studio looking elsewhere has turned his sights on Batman’s arch-nemesis.

Leto recently told The Hollywood Reporter that he does have his eye on one project and is “excited about what’s happening”. “I’m looking forward to making films again now that the tour is wrapping up. It’s going to be an exciting 2015.”

As to exactly what project, Leto said “I’ve sworn to keep my mouth shut” but teased that “very shortly there will be something to talk about, that’s for sure.”

Actor Ryan Gosling was rumoured to be pegged as the next Joker but turned down the role, not willing to be contractually tied to multiple films. Although The Joker did not appear in the original draft of the screenplay by writer Justin Marks, director David Ayer is expected to include the character in a rewrite.

Leto is a highly capable actor, whose turn in Dallas Buyers Club was certainly worthy of his Oscar win. But whoever is to next take on the role of The Joker will have a lot to live up to with the memory of Ledger still fresh in our minds.

30 Seconds To Mars latest album was 2013’s Love, Lust, Faith And Dreams.

Photos: 30 Seconds To Mars – Brisbane, Riverstage 30/03/14

images by Rebecca Reid

Watch: 30 Seconds To Mars – City Of Angels

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