2016 is a significant year for the DC Extended Universe. Warner Bros. and DC will release the hugely anticipated (and possibly very expensiveBatman v Superman: Dawn of Justice to expand its superhero mythos. Once DC's iconic Holy Trinity has been established on the big screen, the studio will then spotlight another side of the ever-growing universe in Suicide Squad: looking at DC's dark villains and how the government is responding to the big threats it's facing.

David Ayer's Suicide Squad will unleash Jared Leto's new incarnation of the Joker for the first time (unless he makes a surprise cameo in Batman v Superman, that is). When the director tweeted the first image of Joker, it was met with mixed reactions because it took the Clown Prince of Crime in a different direction. Leto's Joker is covered in tattoos (which is likely inspired by Frank Miller and Jim Lee's take on the foe) and he has prominent silver fillings, presumably from being punched in the face one too many times by Batman (Ben Affleck). Now, another look at Joker - as well as other Suicide Squad characters including Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn - has been released.

Empire's latest cover reveals Joker in his recognizable purple coat, gripping a cane, wearing Arkham sweat pants, and walking around barefoot. The purple coat and sweat pants were briefly spotted in the Suicide Squad trailer - the former when he's walking down a hallway, and the latter when he emerges with his face obscured. The cover also has the words "psycho" and "killer", two words which can, of course, be used to describe just about every incarnation of Batman's dangerous rogue. No matter how a fan feels about Leto's design, one thing is clear: this villain is being built up as someone's who's quite dangerous.

Holy shit. #DCMarvelFans THE JOOOOKER A photo posted by DC & Marvel Fans! (@dc_marvel_fans) on

UPDATE: Here's a second Empire cover featuring Jared Leto's Joker (via CBR)!

Joker Suicide Squad Magazine Cover 2

In Empire's coverage, the cast also offer more insight into their respective characters. CBM shared the following quotes:

  • Katana: "She has morals and codes. She's can also slice through hundreds of people without taking a breath."
  • Slipknot: "He's formidable. He can climb anything. And he hangs people for a living. I joke that he was caught strangling Wonder Woman. I downloaded this app called Grog Knots. Now I could tie up a horse."
  • Captain Boomerang: "He's an absolute bogan, in the purest sense. Dave's first instruction was, 'Find your inner sh*tbag.'"
  • El Diablo: "Most of these guys are happy to get out there and kill people, but he just wants to stay out of the fight."
  • Killer Croc: "He's a cannibal with rage issues. Although he only eats the most talented people. He's picky."
  • Rick Flag: "Flag is the highest level operator working for the government. He's had lots of friends die and has killed many, many people. Deadshot gives him the most problems. Harley is easily distracted, but up for following orders if it means destroying things..."

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad

If Killer Croc only eats "the most talented people", that could mean the frightening fiend may have Batman in his sights. The two have a long history in the comics, so Killer Croc wanting to tear into only the best could motivate him to seek out the Dark Knight, after all. The chances of Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje's Killer Croc being the big bad in one of Batman's big screen stories don't seem too likely, but if he can be incorporated well and offer at least one good action sequence involving Batman, that's surely something many fans would love to see (especially if he finds a big rock).

As for the rest of the quotes, they all sound like these live-action DC characters are remaining fairly true to their comic book counter-parts, especially Jai Courtney's comments about Captain Boomerang, and Joel Kinnaman's remarks on some of the team dynamics. Now fans just have to wait and see how many of these characters make it out of the movie alive, and whether or not the foes are handled well.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice opens on March 25, 2016, followed by Suicide Squad on August 5, 2016; Wonder Woman on June 23, 2017; Justice League Part One on November 17, 2017; The Flash on March 23, 2018; Aquaman on July 27, 2018; Shazam on April 5, 2019; Justice League Part Two on June 14, 2019; Cyborg on April 3, 2020; and Green Lantern on June 19, 2020.

Source: ComingSoon; CBM