DC Movies Set Up 3 Huge Joker Stories This Decade, and None of Them Are Being Paid Off (Yet)

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Despite laying some groundwork, it’s unclear what the future holds for the Joker in DC movies. For decades, this iconic villain has set the standard for comic book baddies, both in the comics themselves and in various adaptations. From Cesar Romero’s portrayal in the 1960s to Jack Nicholson’s in the 1989 *Batman* film, and especially Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance in *The Dark Knight*, the Joker has consistently been a defining figure, and Ledger’s version continues to influence superhero movie villains today.

Despite the original portrayal, the Joker has appeared in many different versions over the years. He’s become a staple villain for DC Comics, even appearing in stories without Batman. We’ve seen him team up with the Suicide Squad, alongside Harley Quinn, and as a solo act. However, despite building a foundation for future stories, nothing new has really materialized recently.

3) Jared Leto’s Joker Working With Batman

Jared Leto’s version of the Joker got off to a rough start. Early photos of the character, with his tattoos and metal teeth, created a negative impression that he never overcame. However, after receiving criticism for his performance in *Suicide Squad*, Leto got a surprising opportunity to redeem the character in *Zack Snyder’s Justice League*. Snyder included Leto’s Joker in a dreamlike sequence where he forms an uneasy alliance with Batman.

Zack Snyder had plans for a sequel to *Justice League* that would have shown a future where Darkseid took over Earth, controlling Superman with a powerful weapon called the Anti-Life Equation. In this scenario, Batman and the Joker, along with other heroes, would have been forced to team up to fight back. The story would have centered around a quest to steal one of the Mother Boxes, and Snyder also imagined the Joker possessing knowledge of how to get Kryptonite, making him a valuable ally for Batman. However, despite the release and popularity of the Snyder Cut, DC has decided not to continue with Snyder’s vision for the DC universe, meaning Jared Leto won’t reprise his role as the Joker.

2) The Real Joker Replacing Arthur Fleck

The movie *Joker* reinvented the character’s backstory, offering a much deeper look into his troubled mind than previous Batman films. However, some fans wondered if the Arthur Fleck we saw was actually *the* Joker, or if he would inspire someone else to take on the role. The ending of *Joker: Folie à Deux* confirmed this theory: after Arthur’s death in Arkham Asylum, another inmate mirrored his iconic smile, suggesting he was the one who would truly become the Joker.

Connor Storrie’s actions – the murder he committed, the scars he bears, even his callous humor – established him as the kind of Joker that Arthur Fleck couldn’t become. His permanent facial wounds, unlike makeup, hint that he’s destined to be the archenemy of whatever Batman eventually rises in this world.

Despite initial possibilities, another Joker film starring Joaquin Phoenix isn’t likely to happen. While a sequel always depended on the success of *Folie à Deux*, the movie unfortunately flopped with both critics and audiences. As a result, that version of the Joker’s story appears to be finished.

1) Barry Keoghan’s Joker Facing Off With Robert Pattinson’s Batman

Barry Keoghan’s Joker appears briefly in *The Batman*, only for a few seconds at the end, where he’s seen joking with the Riddler in Arkham Asylum. A scene that didn’t make the final cut showed Batman visiting the Joker, hoping to gain insight into the Riddler and how to stop him. This hinted at a history between the two, and suggested they might cross paths again in the future.

Director Matt Reeves described the character played by Barry Keoghan as a version of the Joker *before* he fully becomes the iconic villain, leading many to believe he would eventually take on that role in a sequel. While Keoghan’s involvement hasn’t been officially confirmed, Reeves has stated that the villain in *The Batman 2* will be entirely new – someone never before seen in a live-action film, effectively ruling out the Joker. However, Keoghan’s character is the only one with potential for a future appearance; if Robert Pattinson continues as Batman in a trilogy, this character could become the villain in a potential *The Batman 3*.

You can currently watch *Zack Snyder’s Justice League*, *Joker: Folie à Deux*, and *The Batman* on HBO Max. *The Batman: Part II* is scheduled to hit theaters on October 1st, 2027.

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2025-10-06 19:11