James Gunn's The Suicide Team  features most of the bandage from the start film, except for Jared Leto as the Joker – here'south why. The plans of DC'southward Extended Universe haven't gone as expected, with its first wave of films, which began in 2013 through Zack Snyder's Man of Steel,not performing as the studio wanted, pushing them to rethink their plans for hereafter films and brand a lot of changes. DC's moving-picture show universe volition continue to explore the stories of characters that have already been introduced, such as Shazam and Aquaman in their corresponding sequels, and will retcon others, equally is the case of the Nighttime Knight in Matt Reeves'The Batman.

Others, however, are going through a modify that isn't really a retcon but will requite a much-needed twist to what has already been established. Such is the case of The Suicide Squad, the standalone sequel/soft reboot to David Ayer's Suicide Squad, which introduced a grouping of antiheroes formed by Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, El Diablo, Killer Croc, and Slipknot. The moving-picture show also introduced a new Joker, played by Jared Leto, who was more a offense boss covered in tattoos and with an over-the-top mental attitude than the psychopath, criminal mastermind DC fans know and honey. This version of the Joker wasn't well-received by critics and audiences and, apart from Leto'southward brief advent as the Joker in the Knightmare future of Zack Snyder'due south Justice League, the DCEU has been doing its best to split up itself from information technology.

Is The Suicide Team A Sequel, Remake, Reboot, or Standalone Story?

As mentioned higher up, The Suicide Squad isn't a direct sequel to Ayer's flick. It doesn't characteristic the same team and information technology doesn't address the events of the offset movie. However, the 2021 movie features Margot Robbie's beloved portrayal of Harley Quinn, too as the strong performances of Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang and Viola Davis every bit Amanda Waller, who return for a new mission. Among the characters from Ayer'sSuicide Squad that aren't in the sequel, the Joker is one of the most notable. The DCEU began moving away from Leto'southward Joker with Birds of Prey, which followed Harley Quinn'southward life later on their break upwardly, but mentioning the Joker briefly and just for context. Although it had been speculated that the poor reception of Jared Leto's performance every bit the Clown Prince of Law-breaking was the main reason why he didn't reprise his role, James Gunn explained (via NY Times) that, in terms of the film'southward narrative, there was no place for the Joker in The Suicide Squad, as he "wouldn't be helpful in that type of war situation."

The Joker has never really been part of Task Force X, and so his absenteeism isn't surprising from that betoken of view, either. And since Harley Quinn is forging her own path without him, there is really no need to feature Batman's nemesis in the Suicide Squad's wacky battle confronting Starro. With the prospect of David Ayer'southward Suicide Squad cut more than likely after the release of The Suicide Squad, the chances of seeing more of Jared Leto's Joker are a bit higher. Notwithstanding, that wouldn't modify the management the DCEU is taking withThe Suicide Squad and other upcoming movies which don't include Leto's Joker.

James Gunn'south The Suicide Squad has earned a very positive reception without the presence of DC's nigh iconic villain. If Warner Bros. changes its mind about Leto'southward Joker in the future or not remains to be seen, but for at present, the Joker doesn't accept a place in the DCEU as the upcoming films don't need him. Too, viewers could also utilize a break from the character, fifty-fifty if Joaquin Phoenix'south operation in Todd Phillips' Joker was widely praised.

Next: The DCEU's Time to come Doesn't Need The Joker

  • The Suicide Squad (2021)Release date: Aug 06, 2021
  • The Batman (2022)Release date: Mar 04, 2022
  • Blackness Adam (2022)Release date: Oct 21, 2022
  • DC League of Super-Pets (2022)Release date: Jul 29, 2022
  • The Flash (2023)Release date: Jun 23, 2023
  • Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2022)Release appointment: Dec 21, 2022
  • Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom (2023)Release appointment: Mar 17, 2023

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Adrienne Tyler (3368 Articles Published)

Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out cracking). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was as well a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was too a contributor for FanSided's BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a flake of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every fourth dimension she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she's not writing, you can discover her trying to acquire a new linguistic communication, watching hockey (become Avs!), or wondering what life would take been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast nutrient is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said "hi" to her one time. Information technology was great.

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