One of the most popular rumors about the upcoming "Suicide Squad" film is that the Joker (Jared Leto) may not be the original Joker and that the one in the film is actually Jason Todd, the second person to become Robin. However, director David Ayer has since come forward to confirm this rumor is not true.
"That the Joker is Jason Todd," the director addressed when speaking to WSVN-TV (via The Hollywood Reporter). "That ain't the case. He's not."
Signs that this rumor is not true appeared when "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" was released as there is one sequence where Batman (Ben Affleck) is seen looking at a Robin costume that has been marked with the Joker's trademark "ha ha ha" sign, indicating that Joker killed Jason in the DCEU.
Fans speculated that the two might be one and the same due to a line that Batman tells Alfred, stating "How many good guys are left? How many stayed that way?" This was rumored to be an indication that someone may have shifted sides and may have become a villain.
According to Cinema Blend, the rumor did have some credence as a Robin turning into the Joker has been done before. Tim Drake, the third person to be Robin, became the successor to the Joker in the "Batman Beyond" series. Todd, in the "Batman: Arkham Knight" video game, was also depicted as a warped psychopath affected by the Joker.
Now that it is proven that the Joker is not Todd, this would also confirm that the revived Jason Todd, who then became the vigilante known as the Red Hood, may appear in the later films such as the solo "Batman" movie, which will be directed by Ben Affleck. The Joker's origins may also be further explored in "Suicide Squad" or a later film.
"Suicide Squad" will release this Aug. 5.
