Joker Actor Jared Leto Says DC Films Are Doing Just As Good As Marvel

During an interview on Variety and iHeart’s podcast, The Big Ticket, Joker actor Jared Leto defended the DC Extended Universe movies when asked why they haven’t been as successful as Marvel films.

Warner Bros.’ DC Extended Universe film franchise has earned critical praise and box office success with projects like Wonder Woman, Shazam!, and Aquaman. However, earlier entries in the DCEU such as Batman v Superman and Suicide Squad have either been less well-received or underperformed at the box office, especially compared to films based on Marvel properties. When asked why the DCEU films haven’t “hit” as much as Disney’s Marvel films, Jared Leto expressed why he believes this is not true and touted the success of Warner Bros.’ previous superhero projects:

“Oh, I think it has. Just ask Jason Momoa. […] I mean, I think Wonder Woman was one of the more exciting things ever to happen. You know, it was phenomenal, it was a beautiful performance. I think the DC world’s been pretty great, for a long time. You can’t win every single time… but no, I think they’re doing just fine. People loved Shazam!, I haven’t seen it yet […], I mean people really loved that film. You know, sometimes… who’s perfect? I’m not.”

Jared Leto also insinuated a return as the Joker was possible before stating DC is doing fine:

“I loved doing it and, you know, we’ll see what happens in the future. But I think DC is… I think they’re doing ok.”

While his future as the Joker is uncertain, Jared Leto is set to play a Marvel character himself in Sony’s Morbius. The film will be based on the Marvel comic Morbius the Living Vampire featuring the popular anti-hero, who first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #101. In the comics, the famed scientist Dr. Michael Morbius attempted to cure himself of a rare blood disease and consequently developed a form of vampirism instead.

Directed Daniel Espinosa from a script written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless, Morbius stars Jared Leto as the lead anti-hero, Adria Arjona, Matt Smith, Jared Harris, and Tyrese Gibson. Avi Arad and Matt Tolmach are producing the project with Lucas Foster while Palak Patel will oversee for Sony.

Morbius will be released in theaters on July 31, 2020.

Source: Variety