Warning: SPOILERS ahead for Birds of Prey.
Last Updated: March 20, 2020
Jared Leto didn't return to reprise his DCEU role as Joker in of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), but why? Warner Bros. latest comic book release brings back Margot Robbie's fan-favorite Harley onto the big screen. This time, however, she's with a brand new team of all-female . Directed by Cathy Yan with the script from Christina Hodson, the movie introduces us to new Gotham key players: Huntress/Helena Bertinelli (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Dinah Laurel Lance/Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bett), Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) and Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco).
Harley and her new allies go up against Ewan McGregor's Roman Sionis/Black Mask - the film's primary antagonist- as well as Chris Messina's Victor Zsasz. The story is pretty much self-contained despite the film existing in the bigger DCEU franchise. It revolves around Sionis' hunt for a diamond that holds the key to the Bertinelli fortune. However, with Harley's arc tightly integrated with the Joker, Birds of Prey sill had to address the couple's current relationship status.
Both debuting in 2016's footage from the Ayer Suicide Squad, and new scenes with a stand-in actor, which were coupled with Harley's narration to establish the problematic couple's status.
Why Jared Leto’s Joker Isn’t In Birds of Prey
So why didn't Birds of Prey just ask Leto to reprise his Joker role, rather than going through a more complicated way of explaining his current relationship to Harley? According to Yan, there was really no need to have him back. After addressing their break-up, the filmmakers wanted the movie to focus on Harley's emancipation. The idea that her primary purpose in life is to serve others was a central theme throughout the movie. Without the Joker, many thought of her as nothing and useless, and the point of this arc is for her to learn that she doesn't need him, she can take care of herself.
Aside from the narrative explanation of Joker's absence in Birds of Prey, there's also his bleak future as the Clown Prince of Crime. Between his story doesn't really call for Joker's involvement.
Who Plays Joker in Birds of Prey
For the brief new shots in which The Joker is shown during Birds of Prey, Mr. J was played by, of all people, a California rock musician named Johnny Goth. Goth came into the small role with no acting experience, but he had friends on the crew who suggested him for the part, and once on set it turned out he easily fit into all of Jared Leto's Joker wardrobe. This made him a perfect fit, pun intended, to stand-in as The Joker.
This is by no means a guarantee that Leto will never play the part again. If anything, it's unfair to judgment on his version considering that we've only seen very little of him so far. Warner Bros. has yet to release official word on his future with the DCEU. That being said, the use of animation and intentionally not showing Leto's Joker face in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) can be an indication that they heading towards a recast.
