Joker is coming back! In The Batman (2022), we only got a brief audio hint of the Robert Pattinson-era Gotham’s mad clown, as Barry Keoghan’s scene was ultimately cut from the film. However, in a recent interview, Keoghan hinted that we will indeed see him as Joker again. Rumor has it that inspired by the success of The Penguin series, Warner/DC is considering giving him a standalone spinoff series that would lead into the third Batman movie.
Journalist Devin Faraci discussed this on his podcast, and Slashfilm, citing separate studio-insider sources, deems the information credible. “It seems Warner is in talks with Barry Keoghan about returning to the Batman franchise. I don’t know if he’ll appear in The Batman 2, but my interpretation is that he’ll be the main villain in The Batman 3. They’re actually negotiating because the plan is to create a Joker-centered series to connect The Batman 2 and The Batman 3, just as The Penguin bridges The Batman and The Batman 2,” Faraci explained.
With the mixed reception of Joker: Folie à Deux, DC’s live-action universe has simplified slightly, especially since it’s now clear Joaquin Phoenix won’t return as the iconic comic book villain. There was never much of a realistic chance of a crossover between Arthur Fleck and Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne, as these films are now under the DC Elseworlds label led by James Gunn and Peter Safran. This distinction separates Elseworlds titles from the new DCU, launching this summer with Superman: Legacy and eventually introducing a different version of Batman.
This fall, DC released two live-action projects: the aforementioned Folie à Deux and The Penguin series. In the latter, Colin Farrell reprised his role as Gotham’s waddling gangster, receiving far more critical and audience acclaim than Joker 2. As for Keoghan’s potential series, it’s not yet clear whether it will focus exclusively on the Joker or include him as a key character. If it’s the latter, Matt Reeves’ long-proposed Arkham spinoff might be revived, especially since Reeves previously suggested it was shelved due to the studio’s preference for spotlighting its best-known characters.
They could hardly find a character more iconic than the Joker, and Barry Keoghan’s career is certainly on the rise. The Irish actor, known for roles in Dunkirk and Chernobyl, joined the MCU a few years back, though Eternals wasn’t particularly memorable. However, last year he earned an Oscar nomination for The Banshees of Inisherin, achieved critical acclaim with Saltburn, and appeared in The Bikeriders earlier this year. He’s also joining the cast of Peaky Blinders for its upcoming finale.
