Jared Leto In Talks to Lead Sony's Bloodshot Movie

Screen Rant

By Adrienne Tyler

Published Jul 26, 2017

Sony's upcoming adaptation of Valiant Comics' Bloodshot character may have found its leading man in Jared Leto (Suicide Squad).

Sony’s adaptation of Valiant Comics’ Bloodshot might have found its lead in Jared Leto. In the past decade, studios have bet on adapting comic books to the big screen, whether about superheroes (the best examples being, undoubtedly, Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and DC’s Extended Universe) villains, or anti-heroes. The adaptation era is peaking right now and shows no signs of slowing down, as it keeps proving to be quite profitable for the studios in charge of producing.

After venturing in this field with Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man trilogy and later with Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man, Sony is now planning a potential Valiant Universe, starting with Bloodshot. A short-list of of actors to potentially star in this film was released a few months ago, with names such as Oscar Isaac, James McAvoy, Jake Gyllenhaal, Nicholas Hoult, and Mark Wahlberg. Now, it seems like the studio has set eyes in another actor also from the superhero genre and who was not included in the previous list.

According to Deadline, Jared Leto is now in talks to star as Angelo Mortalli aka Bloodshot. The project will be helmed by Dave Wilson – a Blur Studio VFX artist who worked in Avengers: Age of Ultron and Deadpool – and will be penned by Arrival screenwriter Eric Heisserer.

Jared Leto as the Joker cut scene in Suicide Squad

Created in 1992 by Kevin VanHook and Yvel Guichet, Bloodshot follows Angelo Mortalli, a former soldier infused with nanotechnology, which gives him powers of regeneration and meta-morphing. After having his memory wiped multiple times, he decides to go out and discover who he really is while also getting vengeance on those who turned him into a weapon.

Bloodshot is planned as the first film in a shared universe of Valiant properties produced by Sony. The deal also includes Harbinger, a comic book series centered on a team of super-powered outcasts. The plan includes a sequel for Bloodshot, two Harbinger films, and a crossover based on Harbinger Wars.

Leto is no stranger to fantasy and science fiction – especially the superhero genre. His take on the Joker in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad was not well-received by neither critics or fans, so taking the role of Bloodshot could be his chance to make up for his performance as Mr. J and win the fans' trust. Leto will also appear in Blade Runner 2049, further expanding his territory into the sci-fi genre.