Jared Leto wants his Joker to duke it out with Ben Affleck's Batman

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We'll finally get to see Jared Leto's unhinged take on the Joker in all its glory when Suicide Squad makes its cinematic bow this week, and it probably won't be the last we see of the villain as Warner Bros. and DC continue to expand their live action universe. One upcoming film that could easily feature an appearance from the Clown Prince of Crime is Ben Affleck's solo Batman movie, and Leto would love the opportunity to go up against the Dark Knight:

"I think it would be incredible to see Batman and the Joker go head-to-head!", Leto told the Toronto Sun. "This Batman and this Joker. I mean, I don’t know, that might be too much! But that would be fun".

"I hope [Suicide Squad] is an introduction (of the Joker) … and not the end!", Leto continued. "Because I could easily just play the Joker a couple more times and then retire. Because it’s so fulfilling and so creative and it’s so imaginative. It’s really difficult to think about doing anything else!"

The world is not wanting for Batman and Joker stories; In addition to Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film and Christopher Nolan's middle chapter in his Dark Knight trilogy, the characters have battled it out on numerous occasions in video games and animation (most recently in Batman: The Killing Joke). That's a testament to how enduring this relationship is, and although the ground is well-trodden if Affleck & co have happened upon a unique take on Batman and his nemesis that's something which I (and presumably a few others) would like to see.

There's also the chance that the Joker could show up in a possible Suicide Squad sequel, but as Leto is quick to point out that is by no means a certainty: "If people like [‘Suicide Squad’] enough. But, you know, the Joker’s not officially in the Suicide Squad, so they could make another Suicide Squad movie and have somebody else (as the wild card villain). And I would be sad not to be part of the fun".

Directed by David Ayer and starring Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, and Joel Kinnaman, Suicide Squad will open in the UK and US on August 5, 2016.

Images: Warner Bros.

Amon Warmann
Amon Warmann

Amon is a contributing editor and columnist for Empire magazine, but is also a Film and TV writer for GamesRadar+, Total Film, and others. He has also written for NME, Composer Mag, and more, along with being a film critic for TalkSport. He is also the co-host of the Fade to Black Podcast, and a video mashup creator. Can also do a pretty good Bane impersonation.