Suicide Squad director regrets Joker’s “Damaged” tattoo

As the Joker once said, “Desire becomes surrender. Surrender becomes power.” As it turns out, sometimes power becomes regret, too, as Suicide Squad director David Ayer has expressed just that over one of the Joker’s tattoos. Yeah, that one…

Posting on social media, David Ayer (who had previously helmed Fury and Sabotage by the time he landed Suicide Squad) said he wishes the Joker’s forehead tattoo, which reads Damaged, said something else entirely, as the one we all know – and mostly hate – only split audiences. “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 slaps me around for this post.”

While many have blasted the Joker’s Damaged tattoo due to how blunt it is (and is it not off-center?), some followers came to its defense, saying it “looked cool” and was “trying something different” than any interaction that came before, chiefly Heath Ledger’s chilling performance. Despite the support, it’s not likely that Ayer will change his mind, as he has targeted the ink many times before. Honestly, we’re just glad that the Joker’s tattoo of a mouth on his hand didn’t create a trend a la mustache fingers…

As for the future of Jared Leto’s Joker, the actor has been open about playing him again but this has mostly vanished due to James Gunn’s disinterest in including the character in The Suicide Squad and Joaquin Phoenix now heading towards his second turn as the Clown Prince of Crime with Joker: Folie à Deux slated for a 2024 release. And although he has backtracked on the claims, does anybody want to take the risk of getting anal beads, used condoms and a mouse in the mail from Jared Leto?

What do you think of the Joker’s tattoos in Suicide Squad? Are they a good choice for the character or too over-the-top? Give us your take in the comments section below!