Jared Leto’s performance as Joker is “absolutely incredible,” says director

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It takes a certain type of crazy to play a role like the Joker, and according to Suicide Squad director David Ayer, Jared Leto definitely fits the bill.

You’ve probably heard by now that Leto sent live rats and dead pigs to his co-stars, and even stayed in character for the duration of the shoot. But what was it actually like to see him perform? In the latest issue of Total Film Magazine, Ayer talked about the actor’s scary commitment to transforming into the role, and how his method acting made for a sight to behold.

“What Jared has done is absolutely incredible,” Ayer said. “When he steps onto the set the world stops. Everything stops. What he’s done is so powerful, so menacing, so palpable, you can feel him. The crew stops working and just watches him. I have to get everybody going again because he’s so fascinating.”

If you weren’t hyped to see his performance, you will be now. People have been understandably skeptical about Leto’s role as Joker, especially following Heath Ledger’s masterclass in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight. But if we’re to go by Ayer’s gushing, Leto should be a worthy successor.

We haven’t seen too much of the Joker in the Suicide Squad trailers thus far, so the jury’s still out on whether Leto will be good crazy or bad crazy. His look might not be your traditional Joker, but Leto isn’t your traditional actor. We’ll see how it all turns out when the movie hits theater’s on Aug. 5, 2016.