Why so serious? Jared Leto revealed as edgy, maniacal Joker

Dallas Buyers Club actor Jared Leto is barely recognisable with his vibrant hair, body tattoos, maniac laugh, and sunken eyes in the first official photo of him as The Joker in Suicide Squad.

Dallas Buyers Club actor Jared Leto is barely recognisable with his vibrant hair, body tattoos, maniac laugh, and sunken eyes in the first official photo of him as The Joker in Suicide Squad.

A purple glove on his right hand completed his dramatic transformation, reported Ace Showbiz.

The picture was uploaded by director David Ayer on Twitter to celebrate the iconic villain's first appearance in the comic book.

"The Suicide Squad wishes you a Happy Anniversary Mr J! #Joker75 #SuicideSquad," the director captioned the image.

Suicide Squad is scheduled to hit theatres on August 5, 2016 in the United States.

It stars Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flagg, Will Smith as Deadshot, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang, Cara Delevingne as Enchantress, and Viola Davis as Amanda Waller among others.

They are joined by the likes of Scott Eastwood and Common. Ben Affleck and Jesse Eisenberg are also rumoured to make cameos as Batman and Lex Luthor. The storyline is still kept under tight wraps, but it will follow a team of DC Comic supervillains who are given a chance at redemption.