Summary

• The Joker movies explore a unique origin story that links Arthur Fleck's transformation into Joker with Gotham's growing unrest, portraying him as a dark symbol.
• Lady Gaga is set to debut as a Harley Quinn with distinct origins linked to Arthur Fleck's evolution, with musical elements set to define their romance in the sequel.
• Harvey Dent, also known as Two-Face in Batman lore, is set for a significant role, most likely as the prosecutor in Joker's trial in the film.

As seen in 2019's Joker and the Batman mythos. Focused on the troubled Arthur Fleck and his dark descent into becoming one of Gotham's most dangerous villains, the Joker films from director Todd Phillips are unlike any other DC movies. Likewise,, the portrayals of the characters used are incredibly unique as well.

In 2019's Joker, Arthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) transforms from a struggling comedian with uncontrollable laughing episodes into a dark symbol for all those in Gotham who've grown disenfranchised and angry with the city's wealthy and elite. Despite his various murders, Arthur Fleck's Joker is viewed by many in Gotham as an icon, one who looks to be going on trial as seen in trailers for Joker: Folie á Deux, as well as finding love with Lady Gaga's new version of Harley Quinn. To that end, here are all the known Batman characters that have been, or will be, in the Joker movies.

Joker

Arthur Fleck

While many compelling versions of the Joker have come before Joaquin Phoenix's iteration, none have had as much twisted dimension and as big of a dark spotlight. 2019's Joker acts as an in-depth character study, though one that does not place the blame on Arthur Fleck's transformation not on a vat of acid as seen in the original comics. Instead, the fault seemingly lies with society itself whom the disturbed Arthur accuses of neglecting and pushing him into the darkness he's embraced as a new source of freedom.

To make matters worse, many begin to sympathize and relate to Arthur's actions and murders, rallying behind him as a symbol of Gotham's underlying unrest. Joker effectively inspires a movement that throws the city into chaos, which in turn grants him the love and adoration he never received as Arthur. As such, it's certainly a unique and multi-faceted origin for the Joker compared to the comics and past screen portrayals, lifting the mysteries of the man the Clown Prince once was the majority of past versions keep more ambiguous.

This notably includes Arthur's belief that Thomas Wayne is his illegitimate father who had an affair with his mother when she worked for the Wayne Family. While this is repeatedly denied by those such as Alfred Pennyworth and Thomas himself, the blunt rejections generate even more frustration on Arthur's part toward Gotham's elite. To that end, Joaquin Phoenix's Joker is very much a product of Gotham's own making in this universe. While the origins are quite different with far more facets than are typically seen, the result is still a Joker who's aligned with past iterations of the classic Batman villain.

Harley Quinn

New Origins for Folie à Duex

Lady Gaga's Harley Quinn is set to make her debut in 2024's Joker: Folie á Deux. In the original DC Comics, Harley Quinn was once Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a psychiatrist at Arkham Asylum who becomes so infatuated with the Joker that she falls in love and breaks him out, becoming a longtime love interest and partner as they sow crime and chaos all over Gotham. However, it looks as though Harley's origins will be quite different in the live-action DC Elseworlds movie.

As seen in trailers for Folie á Deux, it appears as though "Lee" is a fellow inmate at Arkham State Hospital. Likewise, it seems as though she was itted sometime after the riots seen at the end of the first Joker, having been deeply moved and inspired by Arthur's Joker to embrace her own darkness. Believing that he can do anything, it will be fascinating to see how Harley and Arthur's romance will progress, both within the halls of Arkham and well as on the outside.

Furthermore, Joker 2's unique status as a jukebox musical should result in some impressive sequences as Harley and Arthur express their feelings and likely develop their relationship through song. That said, one had to wonder how long their relationship might last. After all, the Joker/Harley relationship both in the comic and on-screen has traditionally been quite toxic, resulting in an eventual break-up with Harley eventually becoming more of an anti-hero.

Harvey Dent

Prosecuting Joker's Trial?

While he's yet to be featured on-screen, it's been confirmed that Gotham DA Harvey Dent will have a role in Folie á Deux, the future Batman villain known as Two-Face. In the original comics, Harvey Dent worked in tandem with Batman and Jim Gordan during the Dark Knight's early years to take down organized crime in the city. However, Dent ultimately paid the price for his efforts to bring justice to Gotham with acid being splashed on half his face. This broke Harvey who became the new villain Two-Face, believing that true justice only came from the pure chance of a coin flip.

Now, subtitles from Folie á Duex's second trailer have confirmed what early set photos from 2023 already teased: Harvey Dent will be heavily involved in the Joker sequel, most likely as a prosecutor during Arthur Fleck's trial. At the very beginning of the trailer, Dent can be heard saying: "They believe Arthur Fleck to be some kind of martyr. Well, he's not. He's a monster." This confirms that Joker still has his followers, even after his arrest and incarceration at Arkham. As such, Joker's trial is the perfect backdrop for Dent's debut in this version of Gotham.

Thomas Wayne

Former Gotham Mayoral Candidate

As seen in 2019's Joker, Thomas Wayne was introduced as the CEO of Wayne Enterprises and an mayoral candidate. As one of Gotham's richest and most powerful citizens, Thomas Wayne angered many lower-class citizens after he publically condemned Arthur Fleck's murder of three Wall Street guys who worked for Wayne Enterprises who attacked him: "Those of us who made something of our lives will always look a those who haven't as nothing but clowns". This prompted many to dress up as clowns just like Arthur was dressed, eventually resulting in their rallying behind him when he finally becomes Joker for the Murray Franklin Show.

While Thomas Wayne has been a mayoral candidate in the comics and with past versions on-screen, none have appeared as antagonistic as Joker's version played by Brett Cullen. This also includes Thomas' blunt rejection of Arthur's beliefs that he's his father based on his mother's delusions. Ultimately, the culmination of Thomas Wayne's arc in 2019's Joker is his death alongside his wife during the riots caused by Joker's televised murder of Murray Franklin (Robert de Niro), his demise presumably motivating his son Bruce to eventually become Batman just like in the comics.

Martha Wayne

Killed Alongside Thomas During The Joker Riots

Only having two brief appearances in 2019's Joker, Martha Wayne (Carrie Louise Putrello) appears with Thomas at the theater just before Arthur approaches Thomas in the bathroom about being his illegitimate father. She then appears during the Gotham riots alongside Thomas and Bruce. As the riots continue to escalate, the Wayne family exits the theater and tries to avoid the violence by cutting into an alley, only for a clown-dressed rioter to follow them. Killing Thomas first, the rioter then breaks Martha's pearl necklace just like in the comics before shooting her as well.

Bruce Wayne

Gotham's Future Dark Knight

Before the bathroom altercation with Thomas, Arthur Fleck had attempted to meet with the man he believed was his father at Wayne Manor. This resulted in a fated meeting between himself and Bruce Wayne (Dante Pereira-Olson), long before either of them would become nemeses and major DC icons. Showing Bruce magic tricks from behind the gates of Wayne Manor, a rather unsettling moment occurs when Arthur uses his thumbs to make Bruce smile, seeing as how the future Joker had yet to make the future Dark Knight smile.

Likewise, the 2019 movie ends with some key poetic symmetry. The same night Arthur becomes Joker is the same night Bruce is set on his path to become Batman. As such, it will be interesting to see if young Bruce Wayne will be featured at all in the Joker: Folie á Deux. Perhaps he and Alfred will be in attendance at Joker's trial.

Alfred Pennyworth

The Wayne Family Butler

After Arthur fails to make Bruce smile at the Wayne Manor gates, Batman's faithful butler Alfred Pennyworth (Douglas Hodge) arrives to protect his young charge from the apparent stranger. Upon realizing that he's the son of Penny Fleck, Alfred advises that Arthur leave the property, while also telling him that his mother was troubled and deluded, something Thomas ends up confirming once Arthur finally gets to him at the theater. Angered, Arthur did put his hands on Alfred's throat before ultimately letting go and running off.

Honorable Mention: Gary

Possibly A Version Of Gaggy

With the cops investigating Arthur's former clown company, Randall (Glenn Fleshler) and Gary (Leigh Gill) visit Arthur to see what he has or hasn't told the police. Preparing for his debut on the Murray Franklin show, Arthur has become completely unhinged, resulting in his murder of Randall. However, Gary is ultimately spared and Fleck lets him go, having been the only one who was nice to Arthur. As a working clown with dwarfism, Gary could be the Joker movie's version of DC's Gaggy, Joker's first sidekick from the comics before Harley Quinn (though that's mainly just conjecture).

Joker: Folie á Deux releases in theaters on October 4th.