Was That Really The Joker at the End of The Batman 2022 Movie?

Director Matt Reeves confirms that the mysterious figure at the end of The Batman 2022 is indeed The Joker, albeit in a more youthful and enigmatic form. This revelation has sparked much discussion and anticipation among fans of the Batman universe. According to Reeves, this depiction of the iconic villain is just the beginning of a greater story that lies ahead.

The Joker in The Batman 2022

Barry Keoghan, known for his roles in Dunkirk, Cheernobyl, and Eternals, portrays 'the Unseen Arkham Inmate,' who is later confirmed to be The Joker. With his grimmer appearance and brief cameo, it's easy to overlook his identity, but Reeves explains that this design was meant as a clever bit of atmosphere-building rather than a tease for future sequels.

"I thought it'd be really neat if so much of the fabric of Gotham just already existed," Reeves tells Variety. "And it was like an old Warner Bros. gangster movie and if you took a certain turn you might see a character in his origins."

Early Scenes and The Riddler

Reeves mentions an earlier scene in which the Joker appears as a more extended, almost Hannibal Lecter-like figure, in a confrontation with The Riddler a year before the film's events. This scene was later cut for pacing reasons, as it wasn't necessary for the narrative progression.

"It wasn't necessary. It was one of those scenes where given how complex the narrative was by taking it out it kept the story moving in a way it needed to.", Matt Reeves, Variety

Despite the limited screen time, the Joker's presence in these scenes adds depth and intrigue to both characters, keeping the audience engaged and curious about what might happen next.

The Future of The Joker

While Matt Reeves remains uncertain about whether we'll see The Joker again, fans eagerly await the upcoming The Penguin TV series and the sequel to The Batman. This mysterious appearance piques interest in how the rogue may continue his story in the Batman universe.

"It was never meant to be an Easter egg scene to say like Oh guess who we’re using in the next movie. It was meant to be something delicious for the audience to sort of experience those two characters meeting and in fact for the Unseen Prisoner to say to him Riddle me this which is of course right out of Batman 66.", Matt Reeves, The Batman directors commentary

The Joker's Inspiration and Costuming

Interestingly, the costuming of the Joker in The Batman 2022 can be traced back to inspiration from the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs. While The Joker's iconic grin is widely known, the new version takes cues from a different moment in the film, creating an enigmatic and disturbing new take on the character.

"As many may know, the character of The Joker was based on Gwynplaine from the 1928 film The Man Who Laughs. While the more famous grinning visage is usually the inspiration for The Joker's look, I think they may have used another moment from the film to create this new version."

The similarities are striking, and it's a fun homage to the original inspiration for the character. The horror-themed version of The Joker, with its darkness and terrors, may be a deliberate callback to the source material, making it all the more intriguing for fans of the genre.

Awaiting Sequels and the Penguin

The mysterious appearance of The Joker in The Batman 2022 has raised anticipation for upcoming sequels and series. The Gotham TV universe, particularly the The Penguin series, promises to continue the story, and fans are eager to see how the Joker's past aligns with its narrative.

"It's always fascinating to see how long and complex the stories of these characters can be. I look forward to exploring the rogues of Gotham in more detail, especially those lesser-known villains like Clayface or Mister Freeze," mentions one excited fan.

The Joker's grimmer and more youthful appearance in The Batman is just the tip of the iceberg, and the coming years will surely bring new layers and depths to the iconic villain's story.