Jared Leto is undergoing a big transformation to play the Joker

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Next summer, Warner Bros. is releasing anticipated antihero film "Suicide Squad."

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The movie, based on the comic book series of the same name, follows a group of anti-heroes and villains who work for the government.

One of the most exciting parts of "Suicide Squad" is that the movie will re-introduce audiences to Batman nemesis the Joker.

Oscar winner Jared Leto will take on the role of the Clown Prince of Crime which has previously been played by Jack Nicholson and Cesar Romero on screen. 

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AP Photo / Warner Bros.

Leto will be the first person to play the character in a film since the late Heath Ledger in 2008's "The Dark Knight."

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Warner Bros.

That role won Ledger a posthumous Oscar for best supporting actor.

Leto is usually known for his long flowing locks, a look the Joker isn't really known for - except in Ledger's incarnation of the character.

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Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images


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Monday, "Suicide Squad" director David Ayer teased Leto's transformation into the iconic DC Comics' villain on Twitter.

Leto ended up cutting off all his hair and shaving his beard for the role.

What a difference!

That's not the only change the 43-year-old actor will undergo for the role.

Leto also recently told Billboard he'll be putting on weight to play the character, which Ayer has described will be "majestic."

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"I'm trying to gain a lot of weight," Leto told Billboard. "It means I have to eat every couple of hours -- and I'm terrible at eating a lot."

Hopefully, we'll get a tease of Leto's first look as the Joker soon.

"Suicide Squad" is set for release August 5, 2016.

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