DC Head James Gunn Shoots Down Batman Spinoff Reports (And We’re Not Happy)

DC Head James Gunn Shoots Down Batman Spinoff Reports (And We’re Not Happy)

As a die-hard Batman fan with over three decades of comics and movies under my belt, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment at the news about Barry Keoghan’s Joker not getting his own series anytime soon. The idea of an origin story for the Clown Prince of Crime has always intrigued me, and Keoghan did an outstanding job in the brief glimpses we got of him as the Joker in ‘The Batman’.


This week, there were rumors swirling that Barry Keoghan’s portrayal of the Joker might land him not only a significant role in an upcoming film but also his own series. However, DC Studios co-head James Gunn has recently clarified this speculation. In a social media post on Threads, Gunn stated that at present, there have been no discussions or ideas about a Joker series.

In simpler terms, Gunn stated, “I’ve activated multiple discussion threads, but everyone seems curious about the same thing. To clarify, there is no truth to the rumor of a Joker series. At present, such a project has not been discussed or even proposed.

The initial talk about a standalone Joker series, reminiscent of “The Penguin,” was shared by Derek Faraci in the Marvelvision podcast. This discussion implied that Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker won’t appear in “The Batman Part II,” but instead, he would serve as the main antagonist. Additionally, it was suggested that the Joker series might be produced before “The Batman Part II.

Title Suggestion: Could Colin Farrell’s Penguin Be Back for the Next Batman Installment? (But Watch Out for This Twist)

As a devoted fan, I’m clarifying that just because Gunn refuted the report doesn’t imply there hasn’t been chatter about new shows in the universe of The Batman. In an engaging chat with Interview, the director of The Batman, Matt Reeves, opened up about the ongoing discussions regarding the future of The Batman’s realm. Interestingly, he hinted that it’s not just another season of The Penguin on the table, but potentially more shows within this captivating world.

Reeves expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Indeed! We’ve been discussing it, and it’s thrilling to see that people are now connecting with the show. My dream is materializing, which is truly exhilarating, and HBO has been exceptionally supportive since day one. To witness this embrace is incredibly exciting. We’ve been brainstorming ideas for future shows. I wanted to ensure we avoided the origin tale, a common theme in many other series. Instead, the concept of exploring these characters through different lenses is fascinating. It’s about depicting cities and their dysfunction, reflecting the world’s troubles, which is the essence of Batman stories. They revolve around Gotham as a place that should be better. This allows us to experience an unprecedented epic crime saga, yet each story retains its unique dramatic value. For instance, Oz’s story is about Oz, and we aim to tell other stories in the same manner.

Fans will likely feel disheartened upon learning that Gunn has confirmed no plans for a Joker series and that the topic hasn’t even been broached. The Joker is not only a widely beloved character in comics but also plays a crucial role in Batman’s storyline. Among Batman’s numerous adversaries, it’s the Joker who is most synonymous with the hero. Fans have been excited to see more of Keoghan embodying the iconic villain since his brief appearance as the character in the deleted scene from 2022’s The Batman, and he also made a cameo as the character in the film. According to Reeves, this appearance wasn’t meant as a hint or setup for future appearances, yet it offered fans a tantalizing glimpse of the Joker within the world of The Batman they’ve longed to explore. With no signs of development currently, it seems like a cruel twist of fate.

Regarding the latest updates about “The Batman”, the sequel titled “The Batman Part II” is scheduled to hit theaters on October 2, 2026. On the other hand, the season finale of “The Penguin” will be aired on HBO this coming Sunday, November 10th.

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2024-11-09 09:09