The Joker in the new film franchise

[The Hyena]

With the culmination of the Nolan trilogy with the Dark Knight Rises this summer and the recent Justice League announcement, a lot of us have been thinking ahead to a new film franchise. I am no different. The thing that I have had on my mind most prominently is whether or not the Joker would return. After the (as some would say) unbeatable performance by Ledger, it is understandable that WB would take some caution in bringing the character, which the late actor so skillfully mastered, back to the big screen. I personally would love to see him return, even if the idea is controversial. I realize some would like to see new villains step into the lime light, but could they really pull of a Batman franchise without any mention or appearance of the antithesis of Batman? I find that hard to believe. So what do you guys think? Do you hope the Joker returns? Do you think it's in the realm of respectability? I'd like to hear your thoughts. On another note, how do you think this Joker would be approached? I have already been considering what I think would be best. I would like to see a new comically dark approach on the villain, not to comical (Hamill) yet also not too dark either (Ledger). I think they should play with the Ace Chemical story line a bit, and we should see the death of Jason Todd (if he makes an appearance that is). I also think the Joker would need to be played by an actor who is not afraid to pioneer in a new personality for the character, I personally have no interest in seeing an attempt at Ledgers joker once again! So, in addition to your opinions, how do you think the new Joker should look, act and feel in this new franchise?

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Yeah, joker has to come back. No Batman series would be complete without him.

Bearing in mind I want them to go for full-on, Dini-scripted, comicbook-faithful awesomeness next time, I say they just go for it and do something like this:

 

[Bruce Malone]

It's gonna be a long time before the joker appears on screen again. I am almost certain the next batman franchise may want not even feature the joker depending on how far from now it starts up.

 

[The Joker]

I can't imagine a Batman series without the Joker.

 

[GREEN =w= DAY]

having no Joker is like X-Men with no Magneto, Spiderman with no Green Goblin, Superman with no Lex Luthor, etc.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I dont really care to see a new interpretation of The Joker anytime soon, and I know there are plenty of people out there that feel the same. Id prefer to see some unused villains or some that werent given justice.

 

[Wesley Dodds]

I'd love unused villains. In fact, to distinguish the next series I'd say they're a Must. But the Joker's his arch-nemesis, he's the villain everyone wants to see. Any series without him would feel incomplete...

 

[Nathan]

How early did Joker appear in Batman's career? Would it be realistic to have a new Trilogy without him appearing at all?

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Batman #1.

Even discounting realism, he's the "money" villain. WB would be insane not to use the character.

 

[SuperFerret]

I can't wait to see another interpretation of the Joker, as I was not entirely satisfied with the last ones.

And Wesley's right, Joker's the big draw of the series.

 

[Nathan]

Hope the new Joker will use a bit more gimmicks.

 

[Ponyboy]

I'd like to see the Joker last for more than one film. Why not a Batman/Joker trilogy?

 

[Batman]

Of course. I'd love to see a new Joker just as much as I'm looking forward to seeing a new Batman. They're both characters that can be taken in so many different directions that every reinvention feels pretty fresh. I'd want them to do what they did with this series first and mine characters that deserve theatrical treatment, but a great way to cap off a new trilogy is have The Joker appear for the third installment and really go to town.

And in terms of film, there's still a grand opportunity yet to be mined with the character. All of the live action Jokers of the past have felt like halves of a whole that's yet to be realized, each representing parts of the character rather than his full-on character. The Romero version was the giggling trickster, the Nicholson version was the madman with a sense of class, Ledger's was the deeply twisted and surprisingly logical psychopath. Each brought something great to the table, but each lacked the whole. Take some inspiration from the Animated Series and try to blend it all into one. Have him be funny one minute, and horrifying the next.

 

[Llama_Shepherd]

Personally, I'd like to see the "Thin White Duke of Death" incarnation of the character.

 

[Doc Samson]

I'd like for the Joker to be handled like Darth Vader, Lex Luthor, Magneto or Agent Smith. Have him lurking throughout the whole trilogy (assuming the new film warrants a trilogy) so even though he's not necessarily the main villain all the time, he's always around in some fashion.

 

[Brother Jack]

I doubt they will go for the Joker right out of the gate. Depending on what they have planned in terms of a series I bet they will wait until the last movie.

 

[TheWatcher]

The Joker is a must. He's one of the most important Batman characters.

 

[the last son]

I thought Joker should have been recast for the last Nolan film. Continuing with the joker which I'm sure they had in mind before Ledger passed I thought for the better of the trilogy they should have went with a recast. It would not have been disrespectful and I'm sure everyone would agree. But, I understand Nolan probably just thought it would not be right to have another actor try to be Ledger's joker and it would not work.

With that being said I doubt Joker would be in the first Batman movie. I also don't know if he will be in the second because he appeared in Nolan's second movie and people would say it's a dark knight knock off. I think he will appear in the third. But I think that may be a mistake because if you are going to wait that long it better be epic or you just missed a golden opportunity.

In the end in my gut I say like another poster said make him the main villain in the first with a side villain. Give him a decent size role sitting in Arkham having conversations with Batman in the second with someone else as the main villain. Then go all out with him as the main villain along with others in the third film

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Nah, it would have been in extremely bad taste to recast the role for the third film.
Having said that, I do think they were a touch over-sensitive in not even mentioning or referencing the character at all.

 

[TheAQU4M4N]

I think using the animated series as a basis for both the next franchise and joker himself would be great.

 

[DaRkVeNgeanCe]

I doubt the studio will go backwards in reference to what material they'll use to base their influence on (TAS). I see them really paying close mind to the Arkham games but with JL on its way that may just ruin that idea.

 

[Mister Meddle]

I hope they go back to having a traditional looking Joker. I hope the next director won't be afraid to make the characters (and universe) look proper with comic-accurate looks. The Joker in Batman Live looks perfect for a live action Joker. All what the actor had to do was wear a lot of prosthetic pieces on his face. Too bad Luke Skywalker is obese nowadays.

 

[ThePhantasm]

I'd like the new series to start with a Batman who has already encountered the Joker. Have indications in the first two films that the Joker is in Arkham. Then have him break out and be the villain in the 3rd film (along with Harley Quinn).

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Yeah, they definitely don't need to bother with origins anymore. Hit the ground running with a comic-faithful, older Batman who's been active for years.

The first movie gives a passing reference to the Joker having disappeared.

The second movie doesn't mention him at all and seemingly wraps up nicely, before a dark, unforeseen, Spider-Man 2 style cliffhanger:

Spoiler

Spoiler

Cut to black on the iconic 'smile' image:

Then leave the audience to stew on that for three years, before the third goes for all-out, Bats vs Joker awesomeness.

 

[TheAQU4M4N]

Yeah, they definitely don't need to bother with origins anymore. Hit the ground running with a comic-faithful, older Batman who's been active for years.

The first movie gives a passing reference to the Joker having disappeared.

The second movie doesn't mention him at all and seemingly wraps up nicely, before a dark, unforeseen, Spider-Man 2 style cliffhanger:

Spoiler

Spoiler

Cut to black on the iconic 'smile' image:

Then leave the audience to stew on that for three years, before the third goes for all-out, Bats vs Joker awesomeness.

that would be awesome, I'd also love a faithful origin story even if its told in flashbacks.