Why Jared Leto wanted Joker stand-alone film canned

The Suicide Squad star reportedly tried to torpedo the Joker origin movie before it even got off the ground.

For Jared Leto, the role of the Joker really was more tragedy than comedy.

In a bombshell piece from The Hollywood Reporter, sources claim Leto, 47, was so furious about Joaquin Phoenix’s stand-alone Joker film that he tried to get his agents to cancel its production entirely.

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Insiders alleged to THR that Leto, who starred as the iconic Batman villain in the much-maligned 2016 film Suicide Squad, complained to his agents at CAA — who also represent Joker director Todd Phillips — as well as his music manager, Irving Azoff, to call higher-ups at Warner Bros. to cancel Joker in its cinematic infancy. He reportedly lamented that he wasn’t being treated appropriately as an Oscar winner.

Leto appeared as the Joker in Suicide Squad.

Phoenix, 44, has been nominated for three Oscars during his career and has generated significant buzz for another nomination for Joker.

Phoenix’s portrayal of the character has been widely praised. Picture: Niko Tavernise/Warner Bros Pictures via AP

A source close to Leto reportedly denied the claims, while Azoff, who no longer works with Leto, declined to comment to THR.

Insiders told The Hollywood Reporter that the studio was unamused by Leto’s efforts to get into the character of the Clown Prince of Madness for Suicide Squad, especially with Leto’s bizarre “gifts” to his co-stars, including bullets for Will Smith (who starred as Deadshot), a live rat for Margot Robbie (who played his love interest, Harley Quinn) and a dead pig to the entire ensemble cast.

Leto went to extreme lengths to get into character.

Further, Suicide Squad director David Ayer reportedly wasn’t impressed with Leto’s over-the-top performance. Leto had about 10 minutes of total screentime in Suicide Squad.

Leto is reportedly no longer working with CAA, which he reportedly felt should have informed him sooner of the Joker stand-alone project. A rep for the actor, however, told THR he was still happily participating in other projects with Warner Bros.

However, the upcoming James Gunn-directed Suicide Squad sequel and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) won’t feature his Joker, indicating that his days as the green-haired baddie are likely over.

This article originally appeared on Fox News and was reproduced with permission