Joker
[Photos via Warner Bros.]

James Gunn ponders his favorite Joker, and it's not Jared Leto

James Gunn is best known as the director of the Guardians Of The Galaxy franchise and the upcoming film The Suicide Squad. It’s safe to say he knows a little bit about superheroes and their counterparts. 

The director recently stated he has a tie between his favorite portrayal of Batman‘s iconic nemesis, the Joker and, Jared Leto isn’t in it. 

Read More: ‘The Suicide Squad’ full cast revealed by director James Gunn

While socially distancing himself this past week, James Gunn has been answering fan questions through his Instagram stories. One of the questions asked who his favorite Joker actor is. 

Gunn replied in the fashion that many of us probably do. He said, “I have a hard time choosing between Ledger and Phoenix.”

That’s a classic answer. Heath Ledger‘s portrayal of The Clown Prince Of Crime in The Dark Knight won him a posthumous Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Joaquin Phoenix‘s portrayal of the Joker in 2019’s Joker also won him an Oscar for Best Lead Actor. 

If Ledger or Phoenix aren’t in the top two, some give it to Jack Nicholson‘s iteration from Tim Burton‘s 1989 Batman. Nicholson’s might stick closest to the original Joker idea, face full of makeup with a cartoonish suit and legitimate clown-like gags and traits. 

Read More: ‘Birds Of Prey’ to hit streaming early as theaters close nationwide

But Leto doesn’t usually pop in most people’s lists. And certainly not in James Gunn’s. James Gunn is even directing a follow-up of sorts to the film that featured Leto’s Joker. Suicide Squad released in 2016 and although it wasn’t that well-received (particularly Leto’s Joker) the film did well enough to spark two other films. One being the recent Birds Of Prey and the other being Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. 

Well, now we know. It’s nice to see what Marvel and DC Comics insiders think of different portrayals of the characters in film and television. Judging by James Gunn’s response, it’s safe to assume that Leto’s joker will not be appearing in The Suicide Squad.

More on DC Comics

With the world finding itself with an abundance of downtime as we practice social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, studios have begun sending their titles to streaming early. Harley Quinn will be arriving to digitally entertain you as Birds Of Prey joins the ranks of those hitting video on-demand this month.

The DC Comics adaptation joins NBCUniversal titles Trolls World Tour, Focus Features’ Emma and Blumhouse titles The Hunt and The Invisible Man in an early digital release. Disney+ also got in on the action by adding Frozen 2 and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker months early this past weekend.

Having just hit theaters in early February, Harley will round up her girl gang for a March 24 VOD release, which the film announced on Twitter earlier today. Variety also confirmed it will head to iTunes and Amazon in early April for a $19.99 purchase price.

Read More: Disney rehires James Gunn after resurfaced offensive tweets scandal

Warner Bros. will also be sending biopic crime drama Just Mercy to VOD early, which stars Michael B. Jordan and Jamie Foxx. STX’s Guy Ritchie-directed The Gentlemen will also drop early, which brings together a heavyweight cast in Matthew McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant and more. Both titles will join Birds Of Prey in a March 24 VOD release date.

The news follows an increased event capacity ban and recommendations. On Sunday, the CDC recommended events with more than 50 people scheduled over the next 8 weeks be postponed, which would fall at about May 10. Trump also made public a set of guidelines to hopefully stop the spread of the virus urging people to stay home and restrict gatherings to no more than 10.

At first, AMC Theatres, Cineplex and Cinemark made announcements they would be limiting seating capacity. Since then and with the CDC’s recommendation in mind, several theaters have begun to close to avoid large gatherings.

Read More: Goldenvoice postpones all events indefinitely due to coronavirus pandemic

New York City shut down restaurants, bars, music venues and movie theaters Sunday. New Jersey and Connecticut followed suit and also closed their movie theaters. Colorado and California also ceased theater operation beginning Monday.

Earlier Tuesday, the largest theater chain in the U.S., AMC closed all of their locations. With approximately 1,000 locations, the chain stated they would be closed over the next six to twelve weeks. Regal, who is the second-largest U.S. chain, also closed their locations but didn’t reveal a planned re-opening date.

You can keep up with various events canceling or postponing here.

Who is your favorite Joker? Do you agree with James Gunn? Tell us in the comments below!

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