The Batmanis getting another HBO spinoff series at some point, but James Gunn has now confirmed thatBarry Keoghan’s Joker will not be the iconic villain to headline it.While answering a fan’s question onThreads, Gunn denies the latest rumor that afterThe Penguin,the next character from Matt Reeves' film to get their own show would be the Joker. Although it was believable due to the success of the Colin Farrell-led drama, Gunn confirms that “No there is absolutely no truth to this. A Joker series is not being discussed nor has even come up at this time. Sorry.”
It seems fans will have to wait untilThe Batman: Part IIto see the Clown Prince of Crime again on the big screen.
The original story is as follows…
The nextThe Batmanspinoff may follow another iconic villain that made a brief appearance in the Matt Reeves-directed film. After the smash-hit success ofThe 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 fromThe Batmanis getting his own HBO spinoff series.
TheMarvelvision podcast(viaWorld of Reel) reports thata newThe Batmanspinoff 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 afterThe Batman: Part II, leading to him being the main villain in the third film in Reeves' trilogy. Althoughan Arkham TV spinoffhas 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 afterThe Penguinfor HBO to pivot to another major DC villain. Although the Joker just got a new movie thatgravely 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 inThe Batmanuniverse,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 WestBatmanseries from the 1960s. Most recently, Cameron Monahan played the Joker inGotham, 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’sTitansalso included a live-action Joker for a brief moment, but less said about that show the better.
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 forThe PenguinSeason 2, which could followThe Batman: Part IIin 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.
The Batman
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.
