Zack Snyder revealed a new version of Jared Leto’s Joker

The Joker is such a basic comic book villain that any new release has to be compared to previous iterations. So it’s rare that an actor can play two versions of the character in just a few years, but such is the blessed life of a Jared Leto. As part of the preparation for the release of Justice League by Zack Snyder, the director revealed the first images of Leto’s new take on the Clown Prince of Crime at Vanity Fair. The results are more than a little gloomy.

You might remember the original Leto Joker for his tattoos – specifically, the delicately “damaged” imprint on his forehead or the variety of “hahahahahas” on his body. This version of the character of Suicide Squad was a pissed off and boring boyfriend for Harley Quinn, but he grew up a bit in the new / old Snyder movie, apparently losing his iconic tattoos.

The new version of the character features longer hair and more aggressive makeup (maybe that’s what covers up the tattoos?), And Leto also seems to have ditched the overdone wardrobe in favor of some sort of dress. hospital, face mask and gloves.

Image: Vanity Fair

A more “grown-up” version of DC characters is sort of Snyder’s MO, but the grounded versions of the Joker have also proven popular recently. Todd Phillip’s Entirely Distinct Cinematic Continuity Joker ended up being so well received that it was nominated for a plethora of Oscar awards, including Best Picture, with Joaquin Phoenix winning Best Actor for his portrayal of the character. The new Leto Joker could very well advance some of that “seriousness.”

The inclusion of the Joker was announced last year as one of Snyder’s new additions to his Justice League the director’s cut. The director has now revealed that the character will appear in a very specific apocalyptic section of the film, according to Vanity Fair.

Spoilers for Justice League by Zack Snyder below:

Joker appears in the new film during a sequence set on a ruined Earth after the alien tyrant Darkseid invades and decimates the planet. It’s a dream sequence, a psychic vision, experienced by Ben Affleck’s Bruce Wayne that reveals what will happen if the superheroes fail to stop the onslaught. Joker is sort of the ghost of Christmas yet to come, providing motivation through terror.

Justice League by Zack Snyder releases on HBO Max on March 18.