David Ayer Regrets the Joker’s Face Tattoo in Suicide Squad

Add David Ayer to the list of those willing to critique Suicide Squad. The director looked back on his less-than-perfect 2016 film in a new tweet, specifically sharing regret over a certain tattoo on Jared Leto’s Joker.

Leto’s Joker was one of the most polarizing aspects of Suicide Squad. Four years after Heath Ledger wrapped up a stellar turn as the iconic villain in The Dark Knight Rises, Leto’s take on the character — complete with toned abs, a grill, and a ton of tattoos — wasn’t exactly well-received. Most notable of the ink was the word “Damaged” scrawled across the Joker’s forehead, an attempt at detached irony (?) that came off as corny more than anything.

Folks online accused Ayer — who previously posted an image of a different looking Joker with the caption “Original intent” — of skirting criticism of the film by accusing Warner Bros. of changing the movie and disregarding his vision. In response to one such tweet, Ayer owned up to coming up with the tattoo idea himself.

“I own the tattoo idea 100%,” he said. “It was my choice. Original idea is it would say ‘Blessed’ and not ‘Damaged.’ Now having said that — I regret that decision. It created acrimony and division. Not every idea is a good idea.”

Ayer has long said that the version of Suicide Squad released in theaters was not the film he intended to make. Even Warner Bros. seemed to be unhappy with the (commercially successful) project; in 2021, they brought in James Gunn to direct The Suicide Squad, a sequel of sorts that more or less acted as a do-over for the initial film. Ayer expressed his support for the sequel, praising Gunn for giving the franchise “the legs it needs.”

Check out Ayer’s comments below. His last project was the 2020 film The Tax Collector, while The Beekeeper is slated to premiere next year.

I own the tattoo idea 100%

It was my choice. Original idea is it would say “Blessed” and not “Damaged”

Now having said that — I regret that decision. It created acrimony and division.

Not every idea is a good idea.

And I’ll just be in the corner here while the internet… https://t.co/8no7KQy1Oe

— David Ayer (@DavidAyerMovies) August 16, 2023