What Have We Learned About Jared Leto’s Joker

“I’m just going to hurt you really, really bad.”

You might consider that this year’s “Starting tonight, people will die…I’m a man of my word.” With the premiere of the first Suicide Squad trailer, we finally see Jared Leto’s Joker in action, however briefly. We hear this trademark cackle and him showing off his psychopathic tendencies.

But what do we really know about the debut of the DC Cinematic Universe’s Clown Prince (Thug?) of Crime? Today we’re going to look at the facts given and see if we can put together a cohesive image of what we’re going to see.

This ain’t your granddad’s Jokermobile.

Jack Nicholson’s Joker had some zany looking getaway vehicles in the ’89 Batman film with the Joker’s famous color scheme of purples and greens, but this is a whole different monster.

A while ago, Car Scoops figured out it was an Infiniti G35 Coupe with the Vaydor G35 bodykit. Essentially one that isn’t invasive or anything and one of the “home build-able” kits and does not require any modifications to the chassis (the wheelbase is stock), no wire cutting or anything of that sort.

It’s still a very fast car so this Joker could have been a runner for the mob at some point, or just a superb driver to begin with. I mean if you’re running from Batman man is his new Batmobile, I guess you’d need an upgrade from a clown car, right?

He’s on the loose.

In the beginning of the Suicide Squad trailer, Amanda Waller mentions she’s caught them, the “worst of the worst”. But did she get Joker? Who else would be sending Bruce Wayne reminders of this past mistakes?

“This is going to hurt you a lot more than it’s going to hurt me!”

The death of Jason Todd is one of the most traumatic experiences in Batman’s life. Since he could never break his “one rule”, Batman indirectly allowed Joker to kill another person close to him. Now we’ve seen the death of Martha and Thomas Wayne probably more times than we’ve seen the assassination of JFK or Lincoln on film, but this is new territory. The handwriting and the message leaves little doubt on how Robin died and what could have led to Bruce wanting to hang up the cape for good.

Joker and Harley sittin’ in a tree, K-I-L-L-I-N-G

We know at some point, these two psychos were together driving around in Joker’s car causing all sorts of crime sprees and hysterical giggles. Where the relationship is in the movie is unclear as Harley joins up with the Squad, leaving Joker to go solo, or was there something Joker did to cause a rift between these two killer clowns? Maybe murdering a kid didn’t go over so well with Ms. Quinzel.

Still “damaged”.

There were reports of Joker not sporting the all too self-aware tattoos and had him covered in scars that he kept as mementos from his clashes with the Batman, but we can plainly see that is not the case. He’s covered in the clown skull, the big smile, the ha ha ha’s, the playing cards, even the “damaged” on his forehead. He looks more like He is decked out in ink like a Russian mobster, but when did he get all of these is a bigger question. Are these prison tattoos he had done while in the clink because that is a lot of work. The mysteries behind the tattoos should be an interesting story when it’s revealed, but it’s certainly a new look for the Joker then drew some ire from fans. Then again, Heath Ledger’s Joker deviated canonically, so this wouldn’t be the first time directors take liberties with the character.

He has his own squad.

Harley may have her gang, but Joker has some new goons as well. Seen briefly in the trailer, there’s a man “making way” for the Joker by shooting anything in that direction. It’s uncertain about the location, but it could be anything from a factory to a medical supply station — it goes by too fast to get any solid details, unfortunately.

So readers, this what we have put together on this new version of the Joker, and much like the Joker most of what’s going on remains a mystery. Much like with Ledger, Leto is looking to leave a distinctively visual stamp on the decades old character. We’ll have to wait a bit longer to get the whole picture, as Suicide Squad won’t be out for another year. Maybe we’ll get a glimmer or too in Batman v Superman, which comes out in just seven months.

Was there anything we missed you might want to add to this?