We’ve been hearing some interesting Suicide Squad rumors this week, but the latest report might be the most interesting yet. Not only does it shed some light on the way David Ayer is approaching Jared Leto’s version of the Joker, but it gives us some clues about how Ben Affleck’s Batman might make an appearance in the film. Best of all, Ayer is relying on some great source material for the Joker: Frank Miller’s classic graphic novel ‘The Dark Knight Returns.’

We already know that Zack Snyder has been relying on Miller’s Dark Knight books to inform Affleck’s Batman, who will be a bit older in Batman vs. Superman. But it looks like David Ayer is also using Miller’s work as inspiration for the Joker in Suicide Squad, which is excellent news, if true.

The rumor comes from Latino-Review, which has been dropping some superhero rumors on their Instagram account all week. As usual, this rumor has yet to be confirmed, but it likely won’t be for a while, unless either Ayer or Leto speak up about it.

According to the site, Leto’s Joker will be inspired by Miller’s ‘The Dark Knight Return’ comic, which features a bolder, more sinister version of the villain. As with the comic, Leto’s skin will be bleached, rather than accentuated with make-up, and he will be leaner and more muscular than other characterizations of the villain. This would make sense, given that Leto recently revealed that he’s putting on weight for the part.

And here’s where we get into spoiler territory, so here’s your chance to back out now.

Still with us? Okay. In the film, Leto’s Joker is working out in his cell when Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller shows up to recruit him for the Suicide Squad. There will be references to some of his past crimes — specifically that he killed one of Batman’s sidekicks. This could be referring to the Joker’s murder of Jason Todd’s Robin in ‘A Death in the Family.’ This may also confirm that Carrie Kelley is appearing in Batman vs. Superman as the new Robin.

The other interesting tidbit in the LR report is the inclusion of Hugo Strange in Suicide Squad as a psychiatrist at the prison where the Joker is being held. Strange is one of Batman’s notable recurring adversaries in the comics, and his first appearance predates those of the Joker and Catwoman.

Here’s the original Instagram post with more details:

Today's #SUICIDESQUAD FIRE is all about Jared Leto's THE JOKER! So what I'm being told, Leto's Joker is most definitely based on THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS version. He's lean & scarred but his suit does have broad shoulders. Joker works out in his cell like an inmate when he is interrogated by Amanda Waller. He's doing hand stand push ups so it makes sense that Jared Leto said he is putting on weight. He's definitely not skinny, but in fact more muscular. He has bleached skin not make up. #SPOILER - He's killed one of Batman's sidekicks, there is a lot of references to his past crimes. He kills a lot of people. HUGE #RUMOR - I'm also told The Joker has a lot of scenes with HUGO STRANGE! He's the psychiatrist at the prison & seems to be a part of the story yet I heard nothing of casting or mention of a single casting choice. Hugo Strange has quite a few interactions with the Joker & Harley Quinn. It's not the regular security. It's internal one on one thing. #THEJOKER #THEDARKKNIGHTRETURNS #JAREDLETO #HUGOSTRANGE #AMANDAWALLER #HARLEYQUINN #DC #DCCU #DCCOMICS #SCOOP #FIRE #BOOM

A photo posted by Umberto Gonzalez (@umbertogonzalez) onMar 13, 2015 at 6:42am PDT

 

Batman vs. Superman hits theaters on March 25, 2016. Suicide Squad arrives on August 5, 2016.

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