Throwback to the madness: Jared Leto's joker journey and infamous antics

Ah, 2016! Remember the year when political shockwaves ruled headlines, Pokemon Go became an obsession, and Jared Leto turned into the most notorious Joker Gotham ever 'suffered'? As today’s Hollywood returns to some semblance of normalcy, let’s hop into our tabloid time machine and revisit the maniacal moments of Leto’s Joker journey.

From Method to Madness?

From day one of the Suicide Squad production, whispers spread faster than a Gotham rumor about Leto's peculiar preparations for the role. Was he deeply committed or just deeply... off? While Warner Bros. heavily promoted the movie, it seemed Leto's off-camera escapades stole the limelight.

"We worked together for six months and we've never exchanged a word outside of 'action!' and 'cut!'", shared a bemused Will Smith. Leto’s dedication was so unwavering, their co-stars only knew him as the Joker. His own name, Jared, is forbidden on the set. Smith even quipped, "I literally have not met him yet."

Gifts from Gotham’s Madman

Amid the method madness, Leto’s gifting spree became legendary. His definition of 'warm greetings'? Sending Margot Robbie, our beloved Harley Quinn, a live rat! Robbie's iconic response? "At first I thought this was disgusting. But then after that... I was like, I'm not going to kill him." Yes, she transformed the gesture into a heartwarming pet adoption story.

Also read: Jared Leto's Joker in David Ayer's Suicide Squad: The controversy and what could have been

Then there was the unforgettable hog gift to the entire cast - dead, mind you. Viola Davis, with her poised elegance, remarked, "He gave some really horrific gifts."

To keep the cast on their toes, or perhaps to give them many toe-curling moments, he shared an assortment of 'treats'. "I did a lot of things to create a dynamic," Leto said, trying to rationalize the barrage of used condoms and anal beads he dispatched. Surely, even for Gotham, this Joker was uncharted territory?

Director & Cast: Amused, Confused, Terrified

Director David Ayer appeared to be Leto’s biggest fan, commending his eerie dedication. "The Joker is something you have to be... It's like the birds stop flying. He's fucking terrifying."

Others, like Scott Eastwood, maintained a safe distance, perhaps wisely so. Leto's unpredictable behavior seemed to create a bizarre blend of intrigue, reverence, and borderline horror among his peers.

Also read: "That’s a helluva transformation" - Revisiting Jared Leto's radical change for 'House of Gucci'

Joker’s Lasting Impact

Jai Courtney aptly summed it up: "We had the pleasure of working with an actor who made some extreme choices... And that was incredibly generous." Incredibly generous or incredibly Joker-esque?

And as the curtains drew on Suicide Squad, fans and critics were left with a film, some great performances, and stories of Leto’s method antics that might just outlive his Joker rendition.

P.S. Hollywood, any chances of a documentary on this?

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)