The Batman director Matt Reeves established a new shared universe focusing on Batman with the 2022 movie, and was the executive producer of HBO’s The Penguin as well as Amazon Prime’s animated series Batman: Caped Crusader.
And now there are rumours, as discussed on the Marvelvision podcast, that HBO is developing another spinoff focusing on Keoghan’s Joker, who was briefly seen in the first movie – neither Reeves nor The Penguin showrunner Lauren LeFranc have confirmed anything, but they have hinted at more spinoffs being in the works.
In the movie, Keoghan was credited as “Unseen Arkham Prisoner”, but Reeves later confirmed that the character was the Joker. Warner Bros. released a deleted scene featuring Keoghan’s Joker and Robert Pattinson’s Batman in March 2022, three weeks after the movie’s release, and it was well received by audiences.
However, fans on the r/batman subreddit don’t appear to be impressed, one quoting Michael Jai White in Gambol in the 2008 Batman movie The Dark Knight and saying, “Enough from the clown!”
Another wrote, “I think we learned that Joker doesn’t work without Batman, didn’t we?” while the original poster appeared more open to the idea, replying, “If Reeves and LeFranc are involved, I’m really interested to see what they can deliver I have to say.”
One more said, “If this show is as well-crafted as The Batman and The Penguin, I’m at least intrigued.” Others, meanwhile, described Keoghan’s cameo in The Batman as “simply bad” and “an eye roll”, with one more saying that they should “bench the Joker” for a while.
When Vanity Fair asked Keoghan about his role in the movie earlier this year, the actor neither confirmed nor denied involvement, and there’s been no confirmation from the studio as yet.
Meanwhile, Reeves is also set to serve as a producer on the animated movie Dynamic Duo, based on Batman’s sidekick Robin.
The Joker's Brief Appearance In The Batman
Keoghan's Joker is a small but interesting addition to The Batman, and we're not even sure what his role will be in future movies. We know that his Joker will have a cameo in The Batman: Part II, but it's hard to tell if he'll be the main villain in the sequel. This series could give Keoghan’s Joker the space to develop his personality and motives.
Is This Another Joker Series?
The news that The Batman universe is getting a Joker-centric series has divided fans. Some fans are excited about the prospect of a new Joker series that builds on the character’s appearance in The Batman. Others are worried that a Joker series will be a retread of the character’s previous appearances in the Batman canon.
Fans are also worried about the possibility that a Joker-centric series will be as bad as Joker: Folie a Deux, which was poorly received by both critics and audiences. It's worth noting that Joker: Folie a Deux was not set in the same universe as The Batman, so fans may have nothing to worry about.
The Future of The Batman
The future of The Batman universe is uncertain. It’s been said that Reeves will direct the second installment of The Batman, The Batman: Part II. However, there’s no concrete word on whether a third Batman movie is in the works. For now, fans can be excited about The Penguin, a series that’s said to be a worthy addition to the Batman universe.
Is The Batman In Trouble?
Reeves’ The Batman was well-received critically, but did not set the box office on fire, and the poor performance of Joker: Folie a Deux has also affected the future of the franchise. With the news of a new Joker series, fans may wonder if the Batman universe is in trouble. However, the Batman franchise is one of DC’s most valuable, so there’s no reason to worry about the franchise’s future. For now, fans can enjoy the first two films in the Batman universe, and look forward to more news about the future of the franchise.
Final Thoughts
It’s still too early to say if The Batman universe is in trouble. The success of The Penguin and the upcoming release of The Batman: Part II may be able to revitalize interest in the franchise.
Reeves is a talented director, and he’s proven his ability to create entertaining and engaging superhero films. If he can find a way to make a Joker-centric series that’s both original and compelling, then The Batman universe may be able to continue for years to come.
