The next The Batman spinoff may follow another iconic villain that made a brief appearance in the Matt Reeves-directed film. After the smash-hit success of The Penguin, it seems HBO is keen on expanding the gritty superhero universe with a new take on a very familiar character and archnemesis to the Dark Knight. According to a new rumor, Barry Keoghan’s Joker from The Batman is getting his own HBO spinoff series.
The Marvelvision podcast (via World of Reel) reports that a new The Batman spinoff series will follow Joker, the scar-ridden Arkham inmate played by Keoghan who made a brief appearance in the film. Apparently, it would take place after The Batman: Part II, leading to him being the main villain in the third film in Reeves’ trilogy. Although an Arkham TV spinoff has been in the works for quite some time, it’s unclear if the rumored Joker project is referring to that one. However, if the rumor is true, that means Joker is a major player in the franchise moving forward, with Keoghan set as the ultimate antagonist for Robert Pattinson’s Batman.
Of course, this is just a rumor and should be taken with a grain of salt. However, it makes the most sense after The Penguin for HBO to pivot to another major DC villain. Although the Joker just got a new movie that gravely disappointed at the box office, this new iteration has already been new enough to warrant a television series. Given the fact Joker is the most unknown variable in the Reeves’ trilogy, a show fleshing the character out before becoming a main movie villain makes all too much sense, especially since it seems Colin Farrell’s Penguin is being set up the same way.
The Batman’s Joker Getting the TV Treatment (Again)
If Barry Keoghan’s Joker does in fact get his own HBO/ Max series set in The Batman universe, this would mark the third time a live-action Clown Prince of Crime has graced the small screen. Cesar Romero famously donned the made and purple outfit in the Adam West Batman series from the 1960s. Most recently, Cameron Monahan played the Joker in Gotham, another crime drama centered around Batman’s greatest villains that premiered on Fox from 2014 to 2019. An alternate, unofficial version of the Joker also appeared in the Arrowverse as Marquis Jet (Nick Creegan), an original character that took on the mantle and iconic appearance after the villain’s death. DC’s Titans also included a live-action Joker for a brief moment, but less said about that show the better.
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Matt Reeves Teases The Batman Spinoffs Share One Major Aspect With The Penguin
Matt Reeves teases future The Batman spin-offs will be similar to The Penguin.
In addition to a potential Joker-led series, The Batman is expanding in several ways, as confirmed by Matt Reeves himself. He is currently in talks with HBO for The Penguin Season 2, which could follow The Batman: Part II in 2026. Other potential candidates for a spinoff include Clayface, Mister Freeze, and most likely, Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman. The latter was last seen heading off towards Blüdhaven, which would make a show centered around her the first to be set outside of Gotham.
Batman is forced to investigate the city’s hidden corruption and question his family’s involvement when The Riddler starts killing key political figures. Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz and Paul Dano star.
- Release Date
- March 4, 2022
- Runtime
- 176 minutes