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The Joker May Get His Own Origin Story In ‘Suicide Squad’

blame it on JES7 July 26, 2015
ace-chemicals-main

No one is more excited for David Ayers’ Suicide Squad film being brought to life than myself and Meka.

Fans are particularly excited to see how well Jared Leto will pull off The Joker (I personally think he will murder it; I even wrote a lengthy piece on it). Of course, there will be comparisons to Heath Ledger’s Joker. But I digress.

Recently, fans (read: paparazzi) who were around the set of filming in Toronto, Ontario, Canada snapped a few photos of a set piece emblazoned with the words “Ace Chemicals.[1]” This, as every Batman fan should know, is the fictional chemical plant located in Gotham City. In almost every film iteration, it is known that the Joker fell into a vat of chemicals, which he ultimately survived – despite creating the monster we all know and have come to love. In a weird way.

The most familiar version was shown in the 1989 film adaptation by director Tim Burton, with Michael Keaton portraying Batman/Bruce Wayne and Jack Nicholson as The Joker/Jack Napier[2]. In this version, “Jack Napier” was coerced by a Mob boss to head to “Axis Chemicals” where he was eventually set up. A shoot-out ensued, Batman came to the rescue, only to let go of Napier’s hand in which he fell into the previously mentioned chemical vat. Alas, Nicholson’s Joker arose.

Other versions of the story tell of how a mysterious, struggling comedian[3] that went by the pseudonym Red Hood attempted a heist (much like the 1989 Batman film) and fell into a basin full of deadly chemicals and eventually became the Joker. In certain adaptations of the story, the fault isn’t totally placed on Batman.

Back to the set photos. Could this mean that along with potential origin stories from Enchantress, Deadshot, and Harley Quinn – that we’ll also get an origin story on The Joker? Although it could be a reach, with the photos of “Ace Chemicals” (below) – it’s very plausible.

[1] As seen in a few different straight-to-DVD animated films, television series and the Batman: Arkham video game franchise.

[2] Is this really the Joker’s government name? Or something made up entirely for Burton’s Batman?

[3] As told in the video game Batman: Arkham Origins.

All I know is, this will make me that much more excited for the film! Look for it in theaters on August 5, 2016!

[Via Batman News]