Summary
James Gunn honors Conrad Veidt's portrayal of the character in "The Man Who Laughs," a major inspiration for the Joker in the comics.
Gunn's recent activity on social media has sparked speculation among fans about the potential portrayal of the Joker in the new DC Universe. This has led to suggestions that it may be setting up the introduction of The Batman Who Laughs.
The success of DC Studios' interconnected franchise heavily relies on establishing a new Joker, just as much as it does on introducing a new Batman. It is crucial to have this iconic villain firmly established in order for the franchise to flourish.
James Gunn's acknowledgment of a significant influence on the Joker has sparked speculation among DC fans about how the beloved Batman villain will be portrayed in the upcoming DC Universe. As the DCEU comes to a close in 2023, Gunn and Peter Safran are spearheading the creation of a new interconnected franchise as part of DC Studios' fresh initiative. Chapter 1, titled "Gods and Monsters," already has several solo projects in the pipeline, with more to be announced.
Although the first film in Chapter 1 will be Superman: Legacy, attention is also focused on the development of a new Batman reboot, which will delve into the mythology of Bruce Wayne once again. Although the release of this film is still far off, fans are closely following Gunn's social media activity, eagerly anticipating any hints or updates related to his new DC Universe.
The iconic film "The Man Who Laughs" strongly influenced the visual depiction of the Joker in the comic books when the character first appeared. Celebrating Conrad Veidt's portrayal, Gunn expressed his admiration on Twitter, pointing out how this rendition influenced the creation of the Joker's iconic appearance.
Fans quickly began speculating that Gunn's comments hinted at the direction the Joker would take in the new DC Universe. @One_WhoLaughs proposed a theory that this might be setting the stage for the introduction of the Dark Multiverse character, "The Batman Who Laughs."
@Hotrod_Herman_138 shared a similar sentiment, commenting on Gunn's Instagram post about how The Batman Who Laughs "makes way more sense now."
@OffiicalZanePal directly asked if they are "getting a new Joker" in the DC Universe, based on Gunn's The Man Who Laughs post.
Maxxfigurr suggested that Willem Dafoe should portray the Joker in the DC Universe, which is a highly favored fan casting. Elepe10001 inquired about writer-director Gunn's approach to the character and if it will align with the essence of Joker when presented in the new universe.
@Klein_Visuals commented how the DC Universe "definitely need a classic Joker," in light of Gunn's post talking about the villain's source of inspiration.
@LukeODoherty6 asked if Gunn's post might mean that they will get to see a comic-accurate Joker in DC Studios' coming reboot.
@Smaacckk commented on Gunn's enigmatic post, speculating whether the filmmaker might be plotting something connected to the character.
In light of Andy Mushcetti's direction for Batman: The Brave and The Bold, @PalebludSky expressed a wish for the utilization of The Man Who Laughs as a visual aspect should Joker be featured in this fresh adaptation.
@TrueOnThe speculated that this will not only be what Joker looks like in the DC Universe but that Gunn is teasing that he will actually be in Batman: The Brave and The Bold.
The DCU Needs A New Joker As Much As A New Batman
It remains uncertain whether a new Joker will appear in Batman: The Brave and The Bold, as there is currently no script for the reboot. However, it is undeniable that the DCU requires a Joker character. Fans' reactions suggesting a fresh approach for Joker, one that stays true to his inspiration, hold great validity. Given that Barry Keoghan's version of the character will likely be explored alongside Joaquin Phoenix's Elseworlds franchise, the DC Universe will need to take a different approach to Joker.
Regardless of whether Joker is the initial antagonist Batman confronts in the next big screen appearance, it is essential for the DC Universe to include this iconic villain at some point. Among Batman's adversaries, Joker holds a significant role in Bruce Wayne's life as a crime fighter, both in the comics and in various adaptations of the DC icon across media. With aspirations to achieve the same success as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Studios must establish Joker as they introduce their new Batman.
Once the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes come to an end, DC Studios can provide further information on their approach to portraying Batman in the DC Universe, including his standalone films. Considering the extensive planning by Gunn and Safran for the new DC Universe, it wouldn't be surprising if Joker has already been included in their future plans. However, fans will have to be patient and see how Gunn and his team incorporate Joker into the DC Universe.
