It’s an exciting day for Joker fans, as Deadline reports that Warner Bros. and DC are expanding the Batman universe and working on a spin-off that will feature the origin story of the infamous Joker. The studio is reportedly working with filmmaker Todd Phillips, the mind behind The Hangover films, as well as screenwriter Scott Silver and director Martin Scorsese to bring the origin story to the big screen. However, if you were hoping to run to the theaters to see Jared Leto bring the Joker to life once again, I’ve got some bad news for ya– Leto will not be starring in the film.
Although Leto joined the likes of Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger to star as the Joker in 2016’s Suicide Squad, Leto only performed as a supporting role, leaving many to question what that meant for the future of the character. Deadline writer, Mike Fleming Jr., explains allegedly the intent of the film is to create an origin story that isn’t connected to past iterations of the Joker, and speculates that the film will feature an actor who is younger than Jared Leto. The film is also meant to feel separate from the DCEU movies, seeking to emulate a “gritty” early-’80s “crime” film.
Now don’t get too upset, Jared Leto fangirls and fanguys, because we haven’t seen the last of Leto’s Joker-; Leto will return as the Joker in Suicide Squad 2 and Harley Quinn’s spin-off film. While Leto will be watching along the sidelines with us during this new Batman spin-off, I’m sure it’ll bring a new, interesting twist to Joker as we know him, no matter which actor is behind all that makeup.