Jared Leto Says Joker Role in 'Suicide Squad' Is "Risky" And "A Weighty Thing to Do"

There are only a few more months before the world will be introduced to a brand new Joker in Suicide Squad, and fans are already excited to see what Jared Leto has done with the iconic DC supervillain. It's obviously not an easy task, as the Dallas Buyers Club star confirms that the role is "so risky" and he needed to "reinterpret" The Joker!

Leto recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly, where he explained what it was like to portray Batman's arch nemesis.

"It's a weighty thing to do, but it's exciting," Leto said of the character, stating that the villain is already one of the most established roles in cinematic history.

"The Joker is one of those roles. He was written brilliantly when he was first shared with the world 75 years ago, or something crazy like that," he said, adding that he is indeed thankful that he ended up with the part.

"I think I'm just really grateful I had the opportunity," Leto said.

Taking on The Joker is, ahem, no joke. After all, the DC supervillain has been portrayed by some of the most talented actors like Jack Nicholson and the late Heath Ledger. Leto admits that he is aware of the character's legacy and is proud that he has been chosen to play the villain in the David Ayer film.

"The work that's been done on this character by so many people before me has been so impactful, so incredible, so much fun, so profound, so risky, that it's a very special thing to be asked to take on that responsibility," he confessed.

Leto also admitted that it was important that he had to own the role if he was going to portray The Joker in Suicide Squad.

"You just knew you had to do something different," he said. "You had to make it your own. That happens all the time."

The Academy Award winner explained how it was imperative to come up with his own version of The Joker, since it is part of cinematic history.

"Directors take on great works of cinema, actors reinterpret roles, that's been going on for a great deal of time," Leto said. "In some ways it's really interesting to reinterpret, redefine."

Suicide Squad also stars Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn and will drop into theaters on Aug. 6.