It's now a bit of a tradition -- if you play the Joker on film, you have to really get into character. Following in Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger's footsteps, Jared Leto -- who will debut as Joker in 2016's "Suicide Squad" -- has wasted no time slipping into the mindset of the Clown Prince of Crime. In an interview with E! Online, Leto's "Squad" co-star Adam Beach revealed that the Academy Award-winning actor greeted all of his castmates with some gruesome gifts.

"He sent Harley [Margot Robbie] a nice love letter with a black box with a rat in it -- a live rat," revealed Adam Beach, who is reportedly playing Slipknot in the film. "It was beautiful. Then he sent bullets to Will [Smith] with a letter."

Since "Suicide Squad" began filming before Leto arrived on set, the actor apparently felt the need to assure his co-stars that he was preparing for the role. This involved sending a "dead hog" to the set, addressed to everyone, with an accompanying video message featuring himself in full Joker mode.

"Basically, what he said was, 'Guys, I can't be there but I want you to know I'm doing my work as hard as you guys,'" said Beach. "The video he showed is in character. It blew our minds away. Then we realized that day, this is real."

Beach went on to talk about Leto's specific rendition of the Joker. "He encompasses this beautiful man and he shows it in, 'Hello, how are you?,' but in an instant, he goes to psychotic behavior where you're in fear. But you love him because he has both of those genuine sides."

"Suicide Squad" opens on August 5, 2016.