Barry Keoghan’s Joker is Not the Main Villian For Robert Pattinson’s The Batman Part 2 (Reports)
Robert Pattinson is set to reprise his role as the Dark Knight in the sequel to 2022’s hit film The Batman. While few concrete details have been confirmed about the plot of The Batman 2, rumors are circulating about which iconic villain Bruce Wayne could face off against next. Director Matt Reeves’ gritty first installment saw Pattinson’s Batman confront an unhinged Riddler played by Paul Dano. The film also featured villainous turns from Zoë Kravitz as Catwoman and Colin Farrell as the Penguin.
Is Barry Keoghan’s Joker actually The Batman 2 lead villain?
In an end-credits scene, Barry Keoghan appeared briefly as an unnerving Joker imprisoned in Arkham Asylum. This stirred speculation that the Clown Prince of Crime could be the main adversary in the next movie.
Despite Keoghan’s buzzed-about cameo, a new rumor suggests the Joker may not be the primary antagonist in The Batman 2 after all.
Hush will reportedly be the main villain of The Batman Part 2.
via @DanielRPK pic.twitter.com/5RnwsiHe5U
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) December 26, 2023
An inside source claimed on social media that while Keoghan is likely to reprise his role, the main villain could instead be Hush. However, Warner Bros. and director Reeves have not confirmed these details.
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Who is the DC Comics villain Hush?
Hush, aka Thomas Elliot, is a criminal mastermind from the classic Batman story arc Batman: Hush. One of Bruce Wayne’s childhood friends, Elliot, resents Wayne, and after learning he is Batman, plots to destroy the hero’s life.
The epic comic saga featured appearances from many of Batman’s most famous rogues, like Riddler, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy. A manipulated Bat-Cat romance is also central to the plot.
Hush has never before appeared in a live-action Batman film. The character was the main villain in a 2019 animated adaptation of Batman: Hush and also showed up in the shows Gotham and Batwoman.
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What other villains might factor into The Batman 2?
Along with rumors that Hush or Joker could be the lead villain, there has also been unverified chatter that Clayface might play a sizable role in The Batman 2. If Clayface does show up, it would mark the shapeshifting mud monster’s first live-action film appearance. Like Hush, he’s a fitting choice for a sequel hoping to raise the stakes after Riddler’s debut.
Some fans also speculate that Reeves could bring in Dick Grayson as Robin or Nightwing, though his potential role is unclear. Ultimately, plot details remain tightly guarded secrets. Pre-production should kick into high gear soon,[ez-toc] as sources claim The Batman 2 will start filming in March 2024. No cast has been officially announced beyond Robert Pattinson and Alfred actor Andy Serkis.
The Batman 2 hits theaters on October 3, 2025.
