Joker: Folie à Deux set photos tease the introduction of a famous Gotham villain, which could mean that The Batman – Part II will have to avoid him.
The possible appearance of a famous Gotham villain in Joker: Folie à Deux could mean that The Batman – Part II and its sequel could lose a valuable character. Just like their comic book counterparts, several live-action DC universes exist in parallel on the big and the small screen. The DC Extended Universe, the CW’s Arrowverse, Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, and Todd Phillips’ Joker universe all have their own version of famous DC characters starring in their own stories without interfering with other timelines.
As one of DC’s most popular characters, it’s no surprise that the Joker appears in various different live-action properties simultaneously. And given Joker‘s resounding success, it’s logical that Joker: Folie à Deux will expand its universe with the introduction of more Batman-related characters. Apart from Lady Gaga’s Harley Quinn, Joker: Folie à Deux may feature another iconic member of Batman’s rogue gallery, which could force The Batman – Part II to avoid using the same character.
Joker 2 Photos Tease Harvey Dent – So It Can Beat The Batman 2 To Two-Face
Set photos from Joker: Folie à Deux reveal a protest sign alluding to Harvey Dent a.k.a. Two-Face, as well as another one pleading for Joker’s freedom. While little is known about the context of these signs, they suggest a possible storyline involving Harvey Dent imprisoning Arthur Fleck and Gotham City criticizing him for it. Whether this means that Harvey Dent will be the main antagonist, go through his transformation into Two-Face within the movie, or even appear onscreen at all is yet to be confirmed, but it’s likely that Dent will still hold a government position during the events of Joker: Folie à Deux. See the set photos below:
Harvey Dent also seems like a perfect fit for an introduction in The Batman – Part II, as Matt Reeves’ version of Gotham City cries out for a leader who can rebuild it after the Riddler’s catastrophic attack. Harvey Dent’s downfall would reflect Gotham’s perpetual decadence and challenge the glimmer of hope Batman developed at the end of the events of The Batman. But even if Joker: Folie à Deux and The Batman – Part II both feature Harvey Dent, the Joker sequel would inevitably have the advantage due to its October 2024 release date, set one full year before The Batman – Part II‘s October 2025 release.
Why Harvey Dent Makes Sense For Joker 2
While The Batman set up a clearer opening for Harvey Dent’s introduction, Joker: Folie à Deux also provides plenty of opportunities for a poignant Harvey Dent appearance. Joaquin Phoenix’s Arthur Fleck created his Joker persona as a defense mechanism against everyone around him, from the bullies who physically attacked him to the people in power who kept him down and mocked him. Now freed by his lack of remorse, Joker could face a character who embodies both kinds of person simultaneously: Harvey Dent a.k.a. Two-Face. Harvey Dent could vilify Joker in the public eye, and when he fails, Two-Face could do the dirty work himself.
How Harvey Dent/Two-Face Can Still Fit Into Pattinson’s Batman Movies
Harvey Dent’s appearance in two movies at roughly the same time could be slightly confusing and repetitive, but there’s a way it could work. After all, Joker himself appeared in both Todd Phillips’ Joker and in Matt Reeves’ The Batman, as well as in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, all in a span of a few years. There’s even the possibility that James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe will introduce yet another Joker in The Brave and The Bold. So, if the two versions of Two-Face are different enough, there wouldn’t be any major problems either.What’s more, Harvey Dent might be the best character to introduce in two different DC movies simultaneously. One movie could focus on Harvey Dent’s human side, either as a paragon of virtue or a secretly corrupt figure, while the other focuses on his monstrous alter ego, either as a tragic character or an irredeemable villain. Both Joker: Folie à Deux and The Batman – Part II can feature a fascinating take on an iconic villain. Whether they will take the risk and introduce their own version at the same time remains to be seen.
Source: screenrant.com