Why So Cynical? First Image of Jared Leto's Joker & other news.

Wow, it's been a while. As always real life commitments got in the way of movie-watching/blogging for the last few months. So much so that it's actually been a while since I got out to the cinema. Plan is to see The Falling next bank holiday but in all likelihood Avengers: Age of Ultron will be rearing it's Hulk-sized head soon enough. In the meantime here's a few news stories of note:

Michelle MacLaren leaves Wonder Woman: This sucks, here's hoping Patty Jenkins can make it work.

Trailers dropped for Ant-Man, Fantastic Four, Star Wars etc: Confession I have not actually watched the new Star Wars trailer, trying to stay in the dark. As for the others Batman v Superman is 50/50, Fantastic Four looks as problematic as ever, Ant Man? Two words: Train set!

Fast & Furious 7 made a bunch of money: in other news water is wet.

Riz Ahmed rumoured for Rogue One: Good on Riz, he rocked in Four Lions and Nightcrawler, he'll probably rock here too.

First image of Jered Leto as Suicide Squad's Joker revealed:

O...kay?

So several hours ago David Ayer, director of Suicide Squad, posted the above image on Instagram for the Anniversary of the Joker's first appearance 75 years ago. It shows Jared Leto in full make-up as the latest incarnation of the classic Batman villain here imagined as a tattooed 90s Nu Metal fan in the throes of lunancy he is often characterised for.

It's an interesting incarnation to say the least. Closer in appearance to say Victor Zsaz than the purple-suited psychopath. In terms of personality he really just seems to be the Heath Ledger incarnation turned up to eleven. The fits of lunacy which Ledger used to break the incredible tension he generated now seems to be the default state for the character. Not sure if this is an improvement.

Eh it's different and whether it's working or not Warner Brothers has been bending over backwards to differentiate it's DC properties. Both from previous version and the little-known other series of comic book films that have been wiping the floor with them. It does kinda suck that Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn will probably just be a cheap variation on the above but for now we wait and see.