This Joker tattoo in ‘Suicide Squad’ has a bigger meaning than you realize
Suicide Squad director David Ayer has been vocal on Twitter this week, responding to fan questions about the 2016 film. On Monday, Ayer revealed his true feelings about Jared Leto‘s portrayal of Joker after years of speculation.
Now, Ayer is sharing his thoughts about a fan theory regarding one of Joker’s tattoos in the film.
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Leto’s portrayal of Joker has had its fair share of controversy over the years. After Suicide Squad was recut post-filming, many of Leto’s scenes were removed from the movie. This led to speculation that film executives were not impressed by Leto’s Joker. Despite the scrutiny, Leto stated that he would love to reprise the role.
Following this, a Joker spinoff film starring Leto was rumored to be in the works in 2018. However, the film never got off the ground. Soon after, Todd Phillips‘ dark adaptation of Joker’s story starring Joaquin Phoenix was released. The film went on to win various Academy Awards including Best Actor. This led to a number of reports stating that Leto felt “alienated and upset” about Phillips’ film and felt he had been strung along by Warner Brothers Studios in regards to his role as Joker.
In 2019, when Birds of Prey, the Harley Quinn spinoff film starring Margot Robbie, was announced, there was speculation that Leto might make a cameo as Joker. However, Leto did not make an appearance causing the reports surrounding his portrayal of Joker to resurface.
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On Monday, Ayer helped squash those reports that film executives did not like Leto’s Joker and cut out many of his scenes. In response to a fan question, Ayer shared his true feelings about Leto in Suicide Squad.
“For sure character creation is a tightrope. I took inspiration from the current DC comics,” Ayer says. “I find it incredible it’s still such a topic 5 years later. My heart breaks for Jared – he did magnificent work. Most of it remains unseen.”
For sure character creation is a tightrope. I took inspiration from the current DC comics. I find it incredible it’s still such a topic 5 years later. My heart breaks for Jared – he did magnificent work. Most of it remains unseen. https://t.co/IRj7vB1ZjG
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) May 5, 2020
Now, Ayer is responding to a popular tattoo fan theory about Joker in Suicide Squad. In the 2016 film, the Clown Prince of Crime has a number of visible tattoos, particularly on his face. Over the years, fans have speculated what significance Joker’s “damaged” forehead tattoo might have.
A fan on Twitter shared their thoughts on what they, and many others, believe is the meaning behind the forehead tattoo.
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“I think the damaged tattoo is actually pretty ingenious, but only for those who understand,” Twitter user @ColdBloodedJoke says. “Joker got the tattoo because Batman damaged his smile in a failed attempt at revenge for killing Robin. All with the intent to antagonize and infuriate Batman simply by seeing his face.”
In response, Ayer confirms the fan theory in a simple tweet.
“Exactly,” he says.
Exactly https://t.co/dP3JbroS1H
— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) May 4, 2020
Warner Brothers Studios confirmed that Suicide Squad‘s sequel, The Suicide Squad or Suicide Squad 2, is arriving August 6, 2021. The film is directed by James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy). No information on if the current COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the film’s release date has been shared yet. Over the past few weeks, a number of films have had their release dates delayed.
What is your favorite Suicide Squad fan theory? Let us know in the comments below!
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