The Batman 2‘s story must decide whether or not to break an unofficial rule regarding the Joker that DC movies will have followed for 61 years by the time of the film’s release. Batman’s movie history is one of the most expensive in all of superherodom, and this has consequently also meant we’ve had a wide array of different depictions of the Joker, too, since the Caped Crusader’s nemesis has long been decidedly famous in his own right.
Though the different movie depictions of the Joker have had drastically contrasting tones over the years – as can be seen by comparing the campy playfulness of the 60s film Joker to his serial killer counterpart in The Dark Knight for any amount of time – some rules have remained consistent when it comes to how Batman films handle the Clown Prince of Crime and his on-screen stories.
The current track record for how Batman movies have featured the Joker has now left the newest corner of the franchise at an interesting crossroads, as The Batman 2‘s story seems to mean the movie has to break a Batman film tradition that’s been upheld for decades.
The Batman 2 Has The Chance To Break An Over 50-Year-Old Joker Movie Rule
It’s easy to see why the Joker has appeared in the vast majority of Batman movies that have been released over the past few decades. Interestingly enough, though, while the Joker is one of Batman’s most famous and long-enduring enemies, he’s not a figure who sticks around in any movie world for very long.
In fact, when it comes to Batman movies, the Joker has never appeared alive in two live-action movies in a row. 1966’s Batman didn’t get a sequel, Jack Nicholson’s Joker died in 1989’s Batman – though we do get some posthumous Joker flashbacks later on in the series – and while the Joker survives The Dark Knight, the movie ends his role in Nolan’s Batman trilogy.
Though the Joker has had longer stints in non-Batman-focused live-action DC films – such as is the case with the Joker duology, or the DCEU Joker technically appearing in Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and Zack Snyder’s Justice League – it’s interesting to note this trend holds true for DC’s Batman-centered films, especially given the rivalry between Joker and Batman is such a core part of both of their stories.
Given The Batman introduced us to Barry Keoghan’s Joker, the villain appearing in The Batman 2 would mean that this rule would finally be broken after 61 years – which would be a pretty major milestone for the new DC movie series and for the Clown Prince of Crime alike.
Why The Batman 2 Would Benefit From Featuring The Joker
Currently, it doesn’t strictly appear as though the Joker will necessarily be a focal figure in The Batman 2 – and indeed, it’s possible the entire series may avoid him being the main villain throughout if the decision is made to instead focus more on DC villains who’ve had the limelight less in the overarching history of the franchise.
However, whatever the case may be, there’s still room for the Joker to feature in these films’ plots, and plenty of good reason to do so. Having the Joker appear in all of The Batman‘s movies – even if only in short snapshots akin to The Batman‘s own brief depiction of the character – would help build a sense of consistency throughout the series, and allow for Batman’s history prior to the movies’ story to be tantalizingly teased.
One of the key strengths of The Batman series thus far is the way it plays with a version of Gotham and those who reside within it that feels very much lived in, and as though it has many stories outside of the main plot we see in The Batman and The Penguin. As such, whether it’s to build the Joker’s own central story in the series, or just to make the worldbuilding feel that bit more intricate, there’s plenty of reason for The Batman 2 to break DC’s movie traditions with the Joker and how the character has been used.
