Jared Leto is speaking out about taking on the role of The Joker after the late Heath Ledger won an Oscar for his performance in the role years earlier.
“Heath did an impeccable, perfect performance as the Joker. It’s one of the best performances ever in cinema. I had met Heath before. I didn’t know him well, but he was a beautiful person,” the 44-year-old actor told Rolling Stone of the late actor’s role in The Dark Knight. Heath passed away in 2008, just a few months before the film was released. The next year, he won an Oscar for his work in the film.
Jared also spoke about the decision to take on the role, and said he felt it was okay because others had previously played The Joker.
“I think had it only been portrayed by Heath and it was never a comic book, maybe I would have felt that would be inappropriate,” Jared said. “But I thought that given the history, it was OK. The good thing about other people having done this is that you know what direction not to head in.”
Suicide Squad hits theaters on August 6, 2016.
