‘Different look, same cringey portrayal’: Jared Leto’s new Justice League Joker photos spark mixed reactions

Actor is reprising his role from the critically panned 2016 film Suicide Squad

The internet has reacted after the first images of Jared Leto's Joker in the forthcomingJustice League re-release were shared online.

Leto previously played the famous Batman villain in the critically panned 2016 film Suicide Squad, and did not return for Justice League.

However, with the film now being re-edited into an extended director's cut for HBO Max by original Justice League filmmaker Zack Snyder, Leto is set to reprise the role.

As revealed in the first-look images, however, the character's appearance has been drastically altered from its Suicide Squad iteration.

The Joker's heavy tattoos, including facial tattoos, have disappeared, and are seemingly covered with heavy makeup, making the character more reminiscent of earlier Joker incarnations (such as Heath Ledger's in The Dark Knight).

Many reactions to the photos were positive, with fans noting that the villain's appearance was effectively "creepy".

"He definitely looks more like the Joker," wrote one Twitter user. "Jared Leto's eyes speak volumes like he has seen some s*** or is plotting something. Very creepy, liking it so far."

Some were less enthusiastic, however. "They said 2021 would be better... yet here we are with Jared Leto as Joker again," joked one Twitter user.

"I was having a nice morning until saw the Jared Leto Joker pictures," wrote another.

"Different look, same cringey portrayal," suggested someone else.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League will arrive on HBO Max on 18 March, with UK release plans yet to be announced.