The upcoming Birds of Prey appears to be writing out Jared Leto's version of the Joker from the larger DC Extended Universe. We don't know if he will be replaced in some way, or if the character will just be forgotten over time.
While the response to Leto's Joker was mixed, there were more negative reactions than positive. Perhaps it was the look or the lack of screen time, but something didn't work for audiences. Here are five reasons why it's therefore a good idea to remove him from the DCEU and five why it's not.
BAD IDEA: CONTINUITY
Like it or not, the DCEU has now established some kind of shared universe that includes this version of the Joker. As the universe continues to take shape in whatever form the executives want it to, we cannot forget that the Joker is a crucial part of this.
The Joker is a character that is integral to any version of the DC Universe. To remove him, especially now that he has already been established, would be both confusing and also mess around with the continuity that has already been set up.
GOOD IDEA: OTHER JOKERS
Removing this iteration of the character though could make way for a variety of others to step up. Sure, we've seen other versions of the character played by Heath Ledger and even recently by Joaquin Phoenix, but this can play into the multiple Joker story from the comics.
The DCEU can run with the notion that there are actually a variety of different Jokers, all of which exist at the same time. It could be that different individuals have been inspired by the same events, or perhaps that they all descended into madness together.
BAD IDEA: POTENTIAL
Jared Leto's Joker still has some potential. Leto is a talented actor who just wasn't given the right material to work with. In fact, most of his performance seems to have been left on the cutting room floor, never to be seen on the big screen.
Perhaps one more go around could show the world that there's some really good elements to this version of the character. We know the look isn't perfect and there's aspects that we hate, but this is still indisputably the Clown Prince of Crime.
GOOD IDEA: BATMAN ABSENCE
With Ben Affleck's departure from the DCEU, it complicates matters further. This universe is now without their own Caped Crusader. Without a Batman, is there really much point to having a Joker? Who will he even face off against?
Perhaps the removal of Joker would make Batman's absence less obvious. Plus, we'd constantly be thinking about the movie that never was, where Leto and Affleck properly faced off against one another. It's just time to move on.
BAD IDEA: HARLEY'S STORY
Leto's Joker does still play a crucial element in Harley Quinn's story. He's the maniac that created her and although Birds of Prey is clearly trying to distance the characters, how can she get her justice if he isn't even around?
Simply killing him off-screen isn't exactly a satisfying ending to the journey of these characters. Harley and Joker need to come face to face one final time before she removes him from her life for good, by any means necessary.
GOOD IDEA: QUINN'S INDEPENDENCE
Having said all that, by writing Leto's Joker out quickly, it can allow for Harley Quinn to gain some independence and really become the star of the show. Margot Robbie's performance as the hammer-wielding criminal was absolutely perfect.
We don't want this to be overshadowed, or perhaps be negatively affected by Leto's return as the Joker. Removing the two from one another and allowing Harley to continue on her story of anti-heroism is probably the smartest call to make for Warner Brothers.
BAD IDEA: LEGION OF DOOM
There's the possibility that the Legion of Doom could be coming to the DCEU in the future, lead by Lex Luthor and featuring Deathstroke. One of the classic members of the team who has been enjoying a run with them in the comics recently is the Joker.
We can't say we're not intrigued to see this version of the mad clown interact with some of the other villains from the DC Universe. We know he'd be unpredictable and difficult to work with, but that's exactly the appeal of this dangerous character.
GOOD IDEA: METHOD ACTING
We have to say we are a little concerned by how into character Leto actually got to the role. There were multiple method techniques that were used for the actor to understand the mentality of the Joker. However, it got out of hand pretty quickly.
Leto was sending odd gifts to his Suicide Squad castmates, but as the character of the Joker. A pigs head, a live rat and a couple of bullets later, we're not sure that it's the best idea to keep Jared Leto in this role if he's going to go full-on method every time.
BAD IDEA: JASON TODD
There's been a long-running fan theory that this version of the Joker could actually be Jason Todd, who has been tortured and turned into a weird version of the character. If Leto is removed from the DCEU then this could never take place.
We'd love for there to be a retcon involving Leto, where there has been another Joker all along pulling the strings. Then the character can be written out for good, while adding an extra wrinkle of storytelling to the new version which will enter the DCEU.
GOOD IDEA: NEW VILLAINS
There are plenty of villains we don't want to see Batman face off against in his own spin-off film. The Joker is one of them because he's been used so much. The same can be said for the DCEU. It's time for some real change.
There are plenty of villains who have never had the chance to be featured in a film before, and ton of storytelling opportunities. It would be more healthy for these movies to move on from the same old story, and tell one that's completely unique.