The End of an Era for Jared Leto’s Joker
The long-awaited return of Jared Leto as the Joker in the DC Universe has officially come to a close. Fans who were still hoping for his return may now have to accept that this chapter is over. James Gunn, the creative force behind Peacemaker, has made it clear that Leto’s time as the Joker is finished—permanently.
This revelation comes directly from the first episode of Peacemaker season 2, which subtly but unmistakably signals the end of Leto’s involvement with the character. The show doesn’t just hint at this—it makes it obvious with a series of pointed references. John Cena’s Peacemaker casually mentions that he doesn’t like Thirty Seconds to Mars, which happens to be Leto’s band. Jennifer Holland, Gunn’s wife, echoes this sentiment. To ensure no one misses the message, Gunn adds a post-credit scene reinforcing the same point. Three clear jabs in one episode are enough to confirm: Leto’s Joker is no more.
This decision isn’t entirely unexpected given the history between Gunn and Leto. In 2018, Gunn made headlines when he responded to a comment about Leto’s pattern of pursuing younger women by saying, “He starts at 18 on the Internet?” This was not the first time Gunn had spoken critically about Leto. He had previously made remarks on Periscope, which he later deleted, and recent allegations against Leto only deepened the divide. While Gunn continues to bring back other actors, such as Jason Momoa as Lobo and possibly Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, there is no place for Leto’s Joker in Peacemaker or any other DC property.
A Hype That Never Delivered
Leto’s casting in Suicide Squad in 2016 generated massive hype. Coming off an Oscar win, he seemed like a natural choice to follow Heath Ledger’s iconic portrayal of the Joker in The Dark Knight. However, the initial promotional images of Leto’s Joker left fans unimpressed. His look—complete with tattoos, metal teeth, and a “damaged” forehead—was met with widespread criticism. Even though some defended the design, arguing that the film might explain it, the final product failed to deliver.
The movie itself was a financial success, but it suffered from poor editing. Much of Leto’s footage was cut, resulting in a Joker who appeared more like a clingy boyfriend to Harley Quinn than the chaotic villain Gotham needed. Leto claimed he filmed enough material for an entire movie, and while that may be true, the final result was a fragmented performance that felt more like cosplay than a serious take on the character.
A Legacy Left in the Dust
Before Leto, every Joker—from Jack Nicholson to Heath Ledger—left a lasting impact on pop culture. Even Barry Keoghan’s brief appearance in The Batman generated buzz. Leto, however, ended up in the same category as George Clooney, known more for memes than memorable performances. His method acting antics, including sending rats and used condoms to co-stars, only added to the controversy.
The situation worsened when Warner Bros. greenlit Todd Phillips’ Joker with Joaquin Phoenix shortly after Leto’s Suicide Squad release. Leto reportedly tried to derail the project, but it went ahead anyway. Phoenix’s performance earned him an Oscar in 2020, solidifying his status as the definitive Joker of this generation. Meanwhile, Leto’s Joker remained a footnote in the DC Universe, with his purple Lamborghini sitting idle.
The Final Chapter
By 2025, it’s clear that Leto’s Joker will never return. Fans no longer want him, and Warner Bros. certainly doesn’t need him. Even Joker: Folie à Deux, which performed worse than Morbius and The Marvels, didn’t bring him back. James Gunn has made it clear that he has no interest in bringing Leto back to the DCU, whether as the Joker or any other character.
For now, the legacy of the Joker belongs to those who have truly embodied the role. Leto’s time in the spotlight has come and gone, and the DC Universe has moved on.
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