Warning: Contains SPOILERS for The Batman
The identity of Michael Keaton's Batman makes an unexpected return through the multiverse. However, The Batman kicks off a new universe where Pattinson and Reeves can create a fresh take on the Caped Crusader's mythology and characters.
The Batman is packed with new takes on familiar Batman characters, as Catwoman, Jim Gordon, and Alfred Pennyworth are featured to help Pattinson's superhero. Meanwhile, the movie makes Riddler his primary antagonist and also introduces Penguin ahead of his HBO Max spinoff. Although The Batman is only just now being released in theaters, speculation mounted for months that Matt Reeves could introduce a new version of Joker, too. Rumors suggested Barry Keoghan would play the Clown Prince of Crime. While he does appear in the end as a prisoner in Arkham next to Riddler, Keoghan's character is only credited as an unnamed Arkham prisoner.
Now that The Batman is out in theaters, Reeves has finally confirmed exactly who Keoghan is playing. In an interview with IGN, the director confirmed the mystery Arkham prisoner is indeed Joker. The Batman teased this identity through the obscured looks at Keoghan's character, which included obvious facial scars, talk about clowns, and the actor's take on the character's maniacal laugh. Reeves also revealed why Joker is in The Batman, and why additional scenes with him were cut.
What's interesting is that the reason that Joker's in the movie is there was actually another scene that was earlier. And because the movie is not an origin tale for Batman, but it's his early days, it really is an origin tale for the Rogue's Gallery's characters. And for me, I think [it’s] this idea that the Joker is not yet the Joker, but they already have this relationship.
The confirmation that Keoghan's unnamed Arkham prisoner in The Batman's ending answers one of the movie's biggest questions. He was previously said to be GD officer Stanley Merkel, and Reeves even shot scenes for this role to throw people off. It also recontextualizes Reeves' previous reveal that there are cut scenes involving Keoghan's character. He detailed in this interview that this included a deleted scene of Batman talking to Keoghan's Joker as he tried to understand Riddler. Based on this interview and past comments, fans can expect to see more of Keoghan's Joker in The Batman's deleted scenes.
Even though Joker is now officially in The Batman, there is no confirmation on what his future holds. Reeves explains that he likes the idea that Joker is not yet the Joker comic fans know and is instead a killer that Batman previously interacted with. However, this doesn't guarantee that Barry Keoghan's Joker is in The Batman 2. That said, he could potentially return for one of the movie's HBO spinoffs, especially since Reeves revealed one is set at Arkham Asylum. Whether it is in the sequel or a spinoff, though, it should only be a matter of time before Keoghan's Joker steps into the spotlight after his secretive debut in The Batman.
Source: IGN
