Barry Keoghan’s Joker Response in New Interview Disappoints ‘The Batman Part II’ Fans

Matt Reeves’ DC universe is steadily evolving into one of the most eagerly awaited franchises in contemporary superhero cinema. With ‘The Batman Part II’ officially in production and set for an October 1, 2027 release, every new detail is scrutinized like a clue in a Gotham detective case.

The sequel is being filmed at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden, along with locations in Liverpool and Glasgow. Director Matt Reeves is once again at the helm, collaborating with co-writer Mattson Tomlin. The challenge of surpassing one of the most acclaimed comic book films in recent years is significant, and fans are closely monitoring every interview.

Barry Keoghan first brought the iconic villain to life, albeit briefly, in the final moments of ‘The Batman’, where he was seen conversing with Paul Dano’s Riddler in Arkham. That brief appearance left audiences craving more, with Keoghan’s scarred and unsettling portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime standing out as one of the most innovative reimaginings of the character in years.

Director Matt Reeves envisioned a Joker afflicted by a congenital condition that forces him to perpetually smile, drawing inspiration from the 1928 silent film ‘The Man Who Laughs’ rather than relying on any previous cinematic interpretations of the character.

In a recent episode of WIRED’s Autocomplete Interview series, Keoghan was directly asked if he would reprise his role as the Joker in ‘The Batman Part II’. His response was predictably vague. “I cannot answer that question truly, sincerely,” the Irish actor stated.

“Cannot talk about that.” He also took a moment to address the long-standing misconception about his earlier scene, clarifying that it was never completely erased. “It was deleted from the movie, but it still exists because, you know, it came out after the movie, which I thought was quite a nice moment,” Keoghan explained.

This isn’t the first time Keoghan has sidestepped the question. In a previous interview with Variety, when asked about the future of his DC villain, he smiled and shyly covered his face, stating he “can’t say much” and adding that it had been “an incredible experience.” This pattern of carefully crafted non-answers has become a recurring theme for DC fans following the sequel’s developments.

The speculation surrounding Keoghan is heightened by the developments surrounding ‘The Batman Part II’. The sequel has added Scarlett Johansson to its impressive supporting cast, alongside Colin Farrell returning as Oz Cobb, Jeffrey Wright as Commissioner James Gordon, and Andy Serkis as Alfred Pennyworth. Sebastian Stan, still active in the MCU as Bucky Barnes, is also expected to portray Harvey Dent, the Gotham district attorney whose dark transformation makes him one of Batman’s most formidable foes.

Variety reported that Keoghan is also anticipated to return as the Joker in the sequel, making his prolonged silence on the matter feel less like denial and more like a contractual obligation. The actor has previously revealed in an interview with The New York Times that he has already crafted a full backstory for his version of the character, describing it as “a totally fresh way of playing him” that he is ready to showcase whenever the opportunity arises.

With ‘The Batman Part II’ now actively in production and an October 2027 release date on the horizon, Keoghan’s public appearances will inevitably involve at least one unanswerable question, and it seems he has become quite adept at avoiding it. Share your thoughts in the comments on whether you believe Barry Keoghan’s Joker should play a central role in ‘The Batman Part II’, or if you would prefer to see Reeves introduce a brand new villain into the mix.