It seems that Jared Leto‘s standalone Joker movie might not happen after Warner Bros. reportedly put the film on the back-burner.
A spin-off featuring the Oscar-winning star’s take on the iconic Batman villain has been mooted ever since he divided viewers and critics alike in 2016’s Suicide Squad.
But Forbes is now reporting that James Gunn’s forthcoming Suicide Squad sequel will be a “soft reboot” of that original film. It’s claimed that Gunn’s take will bring a “new flavour” to the DC Cinematic Universe – and this consequently leaves little room for Leto’s take on the character.
“The Suicide Squad sequel, meanwhile, is moving forward as a sort of soft reboot to some extent, and is expected to have a new cast of characters and avoid direct tie-in to the first film’s events. Harley Quinn is not expected to return, and James Gunn’s script will be a new approach and rethinking of the property,” the Forbes report states.
“The Mad Love-type Joker and Harley Quinn film has also fallen by the wayside, as has the solo Joker project for Jared Leto’s version of the character from Suicide Squad. With Gunn on board as director, the film has plenty of room to bring a new flavor to the series and to the world of DC films as well.”
Although Leto might not be returning as The Joker, Margot Robbie will reprise the role of Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey – which began filming last month.
Joker fans will also get to see the villain again later this year when Joaquin Phoenix debuts his take on the character.
The film, aptly titled Joker, is directed by The Hangover‘s Todd Phillips and will focus on failed comedian Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) and his dark descent into becoming the titular villain.