10 Seemingly Brilliant Movie Casting Choices Which Ultimately Fell Flat

Much like Matthew McConaughey, Jared Leto instantly became a name on every Hollywood casting agent's lips after his Academy Award winning turn as Rayon in Dallas Buyers Club (2013).

So, when it came time to cast the Suicide Squad's version of the Clown Prince of Crime in late 2014, few could argue with the decision to offer the 30 Seconds to Mars frontman the prestigious role.

However, once fans were given their first few glimpses of Leto's tattoo-covered gangster Joker, a few doubts began to creep into their minds about if he was actually the star for the job. Was Leto really capable of creating a character which could rival that of Heath Ledger's groundbreaking green-haired arch-nemesis to The Batman in The Dark Knight (2008)?

Unfortunately, it soon became apparent that he most definitely was not.

In fairness to Leto, a large chunk of his role was trimmed down in the editing room, meaning that we only really got to see his chuckling portrayal on-screen for a grand total of around 15 minutes. But even that was enough to put many off the idea of paying to see this disjointed clown again.

With Joaquin Phoenix's gritty Joker (2019) proving to be a smash hit recently and Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) successfully leading the Birds of Prey (2020) project on her own, it looks like DC are now desperately trying to move on from this once exciting piece of casting for good.

Let's just hope Leto's turn as Morbius (2021) brings him a little more joy.