David Ayer, the director of 2016's Suicide Squad, openly expressed remorse for the choice to tattoo the word "damaged" onto the forehead of one of DC's most iconic characters. This decision is now a source of regret for Ayer, who acknowledged prominently featuring the word on Jared Leto's Joker character may not have been the best idea.
In a recent tweet, he assumed full responsibility for the tattoo concept and revealed what the original word was intended to be:
“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.”
He went on to admit that “[not] every idea is a good idea” and jokingly signed off saying he would “be in the corner here while the internet slaps me around for this post.”
Suicide Squad ultimately emerged as one of the most polarizing additions to the DCEU. While the film centered on the titular squad’s crusade to stop Cara Delevingne’s Enchantress from committing various antagonistic activities, it was Leto’s portrayal of the legendary villain that arguably caused the most controversy and division surrounding the film. A key component in this division were the tattoos that adorned his character.
The director previously delved into his rationale behind the “damaged” tattoo in 2018, revealing he initially intended it for Batman after he smashed Joker’s teeth in for the death of Jason Todd. He reveals that “some people found it alienating” and scrapped the idea. He further ponders the perpetual conflict between originality and adhering to established canon, while expressing his admiration for two of his “favorite characters ever” in Batman and Joker.
Ayer Wants To Release His Director’s Cut
Ayer has always been vocal about the filmmaking process, particularly concerning his take on Suicide Squad. His recent revelation that DC Studios’ James Gunn has acknowledged the existence of his director's cut for the film, and that it is time for it to be shared, serves as an encouraging development. Should this cut indeed come into realization, fans eagerly anticipate the opportunity to experience Ayer’s fully realized vision of the film.