- "Isn't that just terrible? Him... raining on your parade like that? What is it they say? 'One day you're on top, the next... you're a clown.' Well, let me tell you, there are worse things to be. Hey, hey, hey. Don't be sad. You did so well. And you know, Gotham loves a comeback story."
- ―Joker to Riddler[src]
The Joker is an unnamed criminal incarcerated in Arkham State Hospital. During his stay, he befriended Edward Nashton/The Riddler after being placed in the cell next to his.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Born with a congenital disease which left him with a permanent grin, the man who grew up to be "the Joker" had a rough life. Due to the stares he received from everywhere he went, he came to believe that life had played a cruel joke on him, opening his pursuit of a life filled with crime and anarchy.[1]
At some point during Batman's first year of operations, the Joker came into conflict with him. After an encounter, he was arrested and imprisoned at Arkham State Hospital.
A New Friend[]
- "Who are you?"
"Well, that's the question, isn't it? Riddle me this... 'The less of them you have, the more one is worth.'"
"A friend." - ―Edward Nashton and Joker[src]
When the Riddler was captured after orchestrating a series of attacks on the city and its corrupt officials, Joker's cell was located next to his. After Riddler watched the reports of Batman helping minimize the floods in the city, Joker contacted him, attempting to cheer him up, he commented that the plan had gotten him far and promised he'd have a second opportunity to redeem himself. He also shared a riddle with him with the answer being a friend. The two shared a laugh together as the conversation drew to an end.
Behind the Scenes[]
Prior to the film's release, Barry Keoghan was cast as "Stanley Merkel". Several scenes were also "filmed" with the character to prevent the information from becoming public. However, news of his casting as the Joker was leaked prior to the film's release.[2]
Deleted Scene[]
The Batman - Deleted Arkham Scene
The deleted Joker scene.
- "Can I tell you what I really think? I think you don't really care about his motives, whether he loves or hates you. I think somewhere, deep down, you're just terrified, 'cause you're not sure he's wrong, huh? You think they deserved it, uh-huh!? You think they deserved it!"
- ―Joker to Batman[src]
In a deleted scene, Batman visited the Joker at Arkham after Commissioner Savage's murder, hoping to help create a psychological profile for the Riddler. Director Matt Reeves compared this scene to similar exchanges between Batman and Calendar Man in The Long Halloween, which served as one of the main influences on the film. The scene was cut as he felt the scene gave information that was relayed over the film gradually, most notably the personal similarities between Batman and the Riddler.
Notes[]
A purported Joker image from one of The Batman's trailer
- On Riddler's board, an image can be seen of Bruce Wayne with a person grinning behind them. The discovery of this led many to speculate this to be the Joker and cast doubt towards Keoghan's casting as Merkel.
- Many have speculated whether Joker has a connection to a street gang fought by Batman during the film's opening. Some have speculated these to be the Joker's gang, though others have suggested them to be a copycat group similar to the Jokerz from Batman Beyond.