There have been plenty of comic book live-action adaptations that left DC and Marvel fans disappointed. But it is rare to find one that took as much heat as Joker: Folie à Deux did earlier this year. The movie may have single-handedly shut down any chance of a third installment in the standalone Joker franchise. But that does not mean it is the end of Joker in the DC universe. A new Clown Prince Of Crime could be back in town- the one who had sparked too much curiosity among fans with just a five-minute deleted scene- and that is Barry Keoghan’s take. 

Amid the growing rumors, here are three reasons why Keoghan’s Joker might make up for the disappointment fans felt with Joker: Folie à Deux.

When it comes to the Joker, the rule of thumb is- the creepier, the better. And Barry Keoghan does have some experience in the creepy area, as was seen in The Killing of a Sacred Deer. And based on his brief but unsettling appearances as the Joker in The Batman, it is safe to say that he would bring a fresh, if slightly gross, twist to the character. Secondly, this upcoming Joker series is not a standalone project, so viewers will not have to worry about any wild, off-track storylines. 

The main purpose would be to tie the first Batman movie to the second, keeping the story focused and lean. Finally, this Joker series comes after the success of The Penguin, HBO’s hit miniseries that received a far warmer reception than the Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga movie. With The Penguin setting the bar so high, it is only obvious that the upcoming Joker series would not want to drop below it. Now, the only question left is- when could this Joker series make its debut?

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The release of Barry Keoghan starrer series depends on the release of Matt Reeves The Batman II. Here is why.

The Marvelvision podcast (via World of Reel) has reported that a new spinoff series from The Batman is in development, featuring Barry Keoghan in the role of the Joker. However, this series is expected to be released only after The Batman: Part II. As per the rumors, Keoghan’s Joker could serve as the main antagonist in The Batman: Part III and potentially headline a Max series that builds up to this third installment, similar to the approach taken with The Penguin.

It is, however, uncertain whether this will be a fully dedicated Joker series or simply a series in which the Joker makes an appearance. Additionally, the release of The Batman: Part II has been delayed by a full year, now scheduled for 2026. And hence, there could be a considerable wait before fans can see Barry Keoghan’s dark take on the Joker.

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What do you think about Barry Keoghan's rumored take on Joker? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!