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'Suicide Squad' Director Admits Huge Mistake About The Joker Tattoo

'Suicide Squad' Director Admits Huge Mistake About The Joker Tattoo

David Ayer has responded to a regularly asked question about the mark scrawled across Jared Leto's character's forehead

Rachael Grealish

Rachael Grealish

Excitement may be building with all the leaks of the upcoming Joker film circling the internet at the minute, but while Joaquin Phoenix is getting his clown on, the director of the DC's last dance with the character is still battling with some of his artistic decisions.

In the 2016 film Suicide Squad Jared Leto's performance was, arguably, the best part of the film and he was definitely a really different take on the Clown Prince of Crime.

Warner Bros

Leto went pretty far preparing for the role - though probably not as far as his costume and make up team did to get all those tattoos perfect for every take.

However, the director David Ayer said there was one particular piece of ink that he still wrestles with to this day, and that's the Joker's 'Damaged' forehead tattoo.

A fan asked Ayer on Twitter about the tattoo, writing: "What was the inspiration behind [the] 'damaged' tattoo on Joker's forehead, was it your idea?"

Ayer admitted that it was his decision, but it's one he still regrets.

He tweeted back: "Yes I have to fall on that sword. It was one step too far."

Although he owned up to his 'mistake', he did explain his thinking behind giving Leto's Joker the odd tat across his cranium.

He said: "In my mind it was meant for Batman after he smashed Joker['s] teeth for killing Jason Todd.

"Some people found it alienating. Originality and faithfulness to the canon are often at odds."

He offered a similar explanation for the Joker's 'damaged' tattoo around the time Suicide Squad launched in cinemas.

He told Empire in August 2016: "Joker killed Robin and Batman basically smashes his teeth out and locks him up in Arkham Asylum.

"It's in the asylum where Joker would have done the 'damaged' tattoo as a message to Batman saying, 'You've damaged me. I was so beautiful before and now you've destroyed my face.' That's where the grill comes from."

via GIPHY

Fans of the DC film will know that events didn't actually play out in such an order - but that's because, according to Ayer, the timeline was changed after shooting wrapped.

With explanations given it's definitely time to start looking towards our next dose of the Joker.

Only last week we got our first full look at Joaquin Phoenix's creepy clown transformation for Joker after footage was leaked of the actor playing Arthur Fleck in the Batman spin-off - but now we bring to you the first leaked clip of Phoenix in full supervillain costume. And it's everything.

As Joker isn't due to hit cinemas until October 2019 it feels like we've got a long wait on our hands. But, in the meantime, at least we do know the new movie will be set in the 80s, following the supervillain from his early days as a failed comedian before he turns to a life of crime in Gotham City.

Featured Image Credit: Warner Bros

Topics: Film, Entertainment, News, Suicide Squad, Jared Leto