The trailer for the newest Batman movie directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman, did a great job of introducing some of the greatest villains threatening Gotham City — Paul Dano’s enigmatic serial killer, the Riddler, Zoe Krawitz’s mysterious Selina Kyle, aka the Catwoman, and Colin Farrell’s Oswald Chesterfield Cobblepot, better known as the Penguin, who is yet to become the notorious mobster and embrace the nickname he disdains.

However, there is one villain who has, perhaps on purpose, been left out of the trailer. One of the most iconic and menacing characters, not only in the DC universe but also in pop culture overall, the Dark Knight’s greatest enemy — Joker, of course — has been omitted, much to the disappointment of the huge fanbase. Or has he?

It has been speculated that the gang with huge red smiles and faces painted white could have something to do with Joker. This may have been substantiated even further by the fact that, at one point, one of the gang’s members turns out to be on the receiving end of Batman’s punches. It could also turn out that Joker is the leader of this gang — after all, their style is rather similar to his. However, the chances are slim, and, for now, we can do nothing but theorize about their connection with the Clown Prince of Crime himself.

Also, according to Warner Bros, this movie will be a separate entity within the DC multiverse, which is why Jared Leto’s Joker from Suicide Squad probably won’t be making a reappearance. Furthermore, in spite of Joker (2019) being a huge hit, you shouldn’t expect to see Joaquin Phoenix’s rendition in this movie, either.

It is highly unlikely that his Arthur Fleck, a depressed comedian whose unfavorable life circumstances turn him into a villain we all love to hate, will be the Joker to Robert Pattinson’s Batman, simply because the timelines don’t seem to match. Namely, Joker seems to be taking place in the early ‘80s, which is why Phoenix’s part might be too old to face this Batman.

Phoenix’s Joker?

However, Mr. Fleck’s wicked alter ego could turn out to be the inspiration behind the gang from the trailer. It wouldn’t be the first time, after all — in the animated version called Batman Beyond, a gang called Jokerz is inspired by the villain himself, so this could be the path WB takes here, as well — after witnessing the infamous wrongdoings of Phoenix’s Joker in the past, street gangs that still look up to him paint their faces white and red and wreak havoc around Gotham. Still, it doesn’t sound very likely, does it?

But then again, even though Joker will, in all likelihood, not be related to The Batman in any way, it would be foolish to think WB executives haven’t had discussions about the ways in which their Oscar-winning actor, the biggest reason why the movie made one billion dollars, could be involved in their latest project. And honestly, who can blame them? After seeing how gloomy the atmosphere of The Batman is, we have to admit Phoenix’s Joker would fit rather well. Plus, we would love to see him face Pattinson’s Batman.

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