Director David Ayer Teases Jared Leto's "Powerful" Joker Performance in 'Suicide Squad'

There is little doubt that Jared Leto's The Joker in Suicide Squad is set to become yet another memorable incarnation of the DC supervillain. Nevertheless, director David Ayer continues to sing praises for the Academy Award winner, calling his performance in the film "powerful" and "menacing!"

Ayer recently spoke to Total Film magazine (via ComicBook.com), where he admitted that Leto was so riveting while filming, that it appeared that time would stand still.

"What Jared has done is absolutely incredible. When he steps onto the set the world stops. Everything stops," Ayer said.

But what exactly happens when the cameras start rolling? Ayer stated that Leto's performance made everyone just drop what they are doing to simply watch the actor in action.

"What he's done is so powerful, so menacing, so palpable, you can feel him. The crew stops working and just watches him," he said. "I have to get everybody going again because he's so fascinating."

Leto's transformation into the Clown Prince of Crime has fascinated fans, especially after co-star Will Smith revealed that he believed he never met the real actor throughout the shooting of Suicide Squad.

"I've never actually met Jared Leto. We worked together for six months and we've never exchanged a word outside of 'Action!' and 'Cut!' I literally have not met him yet," Smith told Vanity Fair last October. "He was all in on the Joker."

There may be good reason behind Leto's dedication to the character, which has been played by some of the most talented actors in history. Jack Nicholson and the late Heath Ledger have both donned the Joker's purple jacket in Batman Returns and The Dark Knight respectively, while Star Wars veteran Mark Hamill has provided the villain's signature laugh in several animated films.

Catch Leto as the Joker in Suicide Squad, which hits theaters on August 5.