Jared Leto and the Art of Disavowing Your Film
Friday, August 19, 2016 at 9:39PM You may have read earlier this week Jared Leto’s claims that he was “tricked" into doing Suicide Squad. These claims of course came in the wake of the film’s poor critical reception and steep box office drop off after its opening weekend. In a nutshell, Leto alleges that he initially believed the film would be much a much more artistic outing than what was on the screen and he feels duped. Now, we could certainly sit here and speculate how (with whole plot details and often times entire scripts being leaked online to the lay public prior to a film’s release) the arguable star of a major motion picture could ever be tricked into thinking the film was X when it’s really Y. But rather than unpacking that dubious version of events and the spinning and "taken out of context" responses there’s something else that needs to be addressed here—the art of shifting the blame for your participation in a critically panned film.
There’s a way to do it tactfully and believably, without the claims seeming like sour grapes. It’s a one-step process. It’s incredibly easy to remember and it will help actors avoid the side-eyes that Jared Leto and his claims are surely receiving. Here it goes...
If you are an actor looking to disavow your film or shift blame because of its poor reception, here’s how you do it—don’t. It will not work out in your favor. Do not do it.
Beyond the fact that this is incredibly insulting to your co-stars (so, we’re to assume then that Viola Davis, Margot Robbie and Will Smith weren’t under the same misconception as Leto and they simply have inferior taste in projects?) it never leaves you standing in a favorable light. It almost always makes you look uncharitable. There's no doubt that Leto himself believes every word of what he's saying, but is anyone else buying these claims as an actual account of what really happened? Did anyone read Leto’s comments and think “Phew. Okay. He’s still a great actor. It’s the movie’s fault!”? If so, please discuss in the comments.
The SUICIDE SQUAD cast having fun together. Not pictured: Jared Leto
Similar tactics have been attempted for years in Hollywood and it’s fascinating that actors continue to do this when it has never worked. Ever. It hardly saved face for Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer when they blamed critics and the media for The Lone Ranger’s critical and financial failure. Hearing the stars of a movie blame everyone else but themselves for the film’s failure—particularly when those stars are more than likely being paid more than everyone else they’re blaming tends to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths. It's akin to Sarah Palin (stay with me for a moment) going after mid-level campaign staffers in her memoir in a feeble and ultimately unsuccessful attempt to justify her own shortcomings. Even if there’s some modicum of truth to what's being alleged, it hardly seems worth it. It doesn’t positively turn the tide in terms of public perception, which is such a fleeting thing anyway. The public is fickle and perceptions of an actor’s talent or entire career can shift from project to project. It’s truly best to take the loss quietly and move on; there’s such a rich history of the opposite not working to support this assertion.
This need to shift blame seems to be very unique to male actors, which highlights a problem with how focused the movie industry is on the careers and bankability of male stars. Nathaniel recently touched on how sad it is that all of our contemporary auteurs seem to be obsessed with male stories, which is very true. In addition to all of the obvious results (movies that focus primarily on men, women relegated to functionary and often sexist characterizations, etc) another byproduct is this ego that would make a male actor think saying what Leto said could possibly be a good idea. In many ways, it's easy to see how Leto would come to such a conclusion when he's working in an industry that's build to prop up people who look like him. Compare that to Halle Berry leaning into Catwoman’s poor reception, accepting her Razzie in person with a hilarious and amazingly written speech (certainly better written than Catwoman). Ditto Sandra Bullock and All About Steve. Or Nicole Kidman’s candid assertion that, while being moved by Hugh Jackman and Brandon Walters’ performances in Australia, her own performance was a misstep on her part.
Halle Berry and Sandra Bullock accepting their Razzie Awards
It has actually been proven that there’s no difference between women and men in instances of behavior calling for an apology, yet women apologize nearly ten times more than men do in professional settings. Perhaps a shift in who the film industry props up could correct this. The male-centricity of the kinds of stories we tell is clearly yielding toxic results. As Cate Blanchett (an expert at masterfully and tactfully disavowing films without looking like an asshole) stated in her Oscar speech, “the world is round, people.” Here’s hoping Hollywood, nearly three years later can finally start to hear that and act accordingly. Everyone—audiences, filmmakers and yes, the stars—will be better off for it.
Reader Comments (32)
Whoopi Goldberg never accepted blame whenever her projects received negative press. Ironically she was never the reason why people rejected them.
You bring up a good point on how Hollywood is so focused on the bankability of male actors. Even actors that aren't going to happen they still try to make happen (i.e., Jai Courtney, Liam Hemsworth, Joel Kinnaman, etc.). Even if they make flop after flop, they're still given major gigs.
Also, I have to say, I've been quite put off by Jared Leto. One reason being his ridiculous so-called "method acting" and also, how salty he is about Warner Bros. shortening his role. You got to play ball, dude or you'll end up like Josh Trank. He badmouthed Fan4stic and just like that, he got pulled out of a Star Wars directing gig.
Just look at Katherine Heigl who is *still* defending comments she made about KNOCKED UP.
Oh please he did not get tricked into cashing the check - you make these comic book things to make money.
I actually really liked Kidman in Australia! I didn't realize she was so embarrassed by her performance.
I was happy for his success in Dallas Buyers, but he needs to stfu and get a better stylist. He's just become no end of annoying.
"Hearing the stars of a movie blame everyone else but themselves for the film’s failure—particularly when those stars are more than likely being paid more than everyone else they’re blaming tends to leave a bad taste in people’s mouths."
Well put!
>Although I had never seen that Berry clip before, that is awesome. LOVE THAT.
>Also, yes, Kidman should be embarrassed about Australia but is is ok we'll forgive her, she's only one of the best actresses alive.
Leto seems to be a real"piece of work" .....
Which roles has Cate disavowed?
I feel like Nic's own is a little different because a whopping amount of actors hate to watch themselves on screen because they cringe and think of what they could have done better.
I'd like to disavow Jared Leto.
I'd like to disavow Leto's Oscar and his stupid "method" acting.
Stay classy please, like Viola!
@Craver
Agreed, can we go back and give Barkhad Adbi the Oscar?
Abdi**
I think I remember watching an interview with Kidman at a festival where she was being grilled about Grace of Monaco by a reporter and she very gracefully said something to the tune of some movies succeed and some movies fail and you have to get behind all of them. That's one of the many reasons I love her. Also Cate Blanchett's facial expression during her oscar clip for Elizabeth 2 was priceless. She is a pro at managing celebrity and fame.
Jared Leto is none of these things. He is not talented. And everyone who rooted for him for Dallas Buyers Club should feel responsible for his current behavior. Both him and Mcconaughey are insufferable and have been so ever since they received accolades for that film. They desperately need a time out.
in Jared's defence, they barely used any of his scenes for the movie. all that hyping the studio did (and Jared himself seemed pretty pumped too) for like, 15 minutes of screen time. I've seen multiple people from the cast/crew claim that there were far more Joker scenes that were not used. so....sounds like he was kinda tricked to me. can you blame him? he was expecting to be in the movie more (while being the FREAKING JOKER, one of the most hallowed characters in the modern world) and he wasn't. hell, even I felt tricked where Jared was concerned; he was more than half the reason I watched Suicide Shits, and he was barely even in it. the advertising gave us all reason to believe that he'd be featured more. hmm someone being deceived...duped even....there's a 't' word that describes that situation.
Aquarian- He should gladly ship his Oscar to Michael Fassbender.
Just makes you more humanto moviegoers,Accept your own failings,the more I read about Leto the more I want to take back his Oscar,I mean he's acting as if he is some sort of benchmark for quality acting,I mean whose world had he shattered before his Oscar,anyone who puts Viola in an inferior position needs to be quiet.
I really liked Kidman in Australia as well :-)
I get the feeling a lot of movies don't turn out the way actors hoped they would. Actors generally have no say in production, direction, or editorial decisions whatsoever. The viewing public should know this, but it often doesn't. But regardless, it's a jerky thing to throw everyone else under the bus.
I'm a filmmaker myself so I am looking at this from Jared's point of view. If I wrote a script and only 7 mins of my original words made it on screen, I'd be upset, too. It's the commitment you make to something and the vision you want to contribute. I gotta say, Suicide Squad had its fair share of problems, but with David Ayer as the director, he must know going into a project what story he wants to tell and who to use to tell it. If he wanted Leto so badly to play the Joker, he would have used him. I love Leto, I think he's a fantastic actor if slightly pretentious. Still, I share his disappointment.
That Berry clip is one of the best things she's ever done. and it actually ends on such a brilliantly serious note (albeit with laughter) -- you can't be a good winner if you aren't also a good loser.
The “feeling tricked” when he was cast as Joker was said by a fan on a fan-site. The fan clarified her remarks on DCcomicsMovie.com at http://dccomicsmovie.com/jared-letos-fk-em-incident-taken-out-of-context/
He never said he was tricked. You are reporting on fan account which was later retracted. Very disappointed that this site did this, thought you guys at least check your facts.
Kidman was actually more candid about "Grace of Monaco". In an interview with BBC in 2014, she admitted she took a beating for the film and said she "did her best, but it obviously didn't work".
I love honesty among actors.
Jared LAMEto!
this is a such a good read, Kieran.
As Johnny Depp once told me*, "Never explain, never complain."
*Technically he said it to Kate Moss but I personally read the interview where she mentioned it.
I remember reading that Sarah Jessica Parker blamed critics for killing Sex and the City 2 and/or the possibility of more sequels but of course now I can't find the quote.
And yes, it is entirely possible that an actor thinks he's signing up for one thing and the project ends up differently, especially when the studio gets as involved as it got with Suicide Squad.
Still, Leto is pretty insufferable.
If reddit's r/movies subreddit is anything to go by, yes... people seriously believe Leto's a great actor who got shafted by Ayer and company. I've encountered many people - MOST people I've encountered who entertain the idea that Leto has always been a great actor (I'm hit-or-miss with him) and will use an excuse to cover up Suicide Squad.
I too recognize it as complete and utter fucking bullshit.
Even if he has points for right, this full round of Suicide Squad has made Jared Leto really obnoxious, insufferable and pathetic.
Jared Leto didn't deserve his Oscar for his performance in Dallas Buyer's Club and is backing up that injustice by being increasingly insufferable. Also: get a haircut.