The Batman is now playing in theaters across the globe, and Matt Reeves' take on Gotham City promises to leave fans with lots to talk about over the coming weeks and months.
The film sets the stage for a sequel and a couple of spinoffs, but the biggest tease for this Batverse's future arrives during the final act. What you may be wondering is what that has to do with Eternals star Barry Keoghan. He's been attached to The Batman from early on, with Warner Bros. and the trades reporting that he would take on the role of Officer Stanley Merkel.
Jim Gordon's original partner in the comics, that role made sense for the actor; set photos even appeared to show him interacting with Bruce Wayne at the Mayor's funeral.
However, the truth about Keoghan's role in The Batman is a little more complicated...and exciting!
CLICK BELOW TO FIND OUT WHO BARRY KEOGHAN PLAYS IN THE BATMAN!
The Joke's On Us
Keoghan isn't Officer Merkel, he's The Joker. Credited as "Unseen Arkham Prisoner," he first appears when a distraught Riddler hears a friendly voice reach out to him from the cell next door. Congratulating Edward Nashton for the pain and madness he's unleashed on Gotham City, it sounds an awful lot like this mysterious Arkham State Hospital inmate is planning a breakout.
Upon closer inspection, we catch a glimpse of a scarred, twisted smile, the white face, and green hair. Teasing an idea to get out of the confines of this hospital with The Riddler by his side, a terrifying laugh rings out within Arkham and the stage is set for The Joker to make his presence felt.
This is a huge role for Keoghan, but was all that talk of Officer Stanley Merkel just a way to keep his part a secret or something more meaningful? Do we have a theory for you...
An Intriguing Theory
It's been confirmed that one of The Batman spinoffs coming to HBO Max will follow a corrupt cop during the Caped Crusader's first year in Gotham City. Since then, director Matt Reeves has said it will connect to Arkham, and we have a feeling Keoghan is going to be the lead in that show.
While the Clown Prince of Crime's origin story was kept ambiguous for decades, that changed in recent years. 2019's Joker was all about how he became the villain we all know from the comics, so what if Jim Gordon's partner somehow descends into madness and becomes The Joker?
Merkel could be a dirty cop who falls in with the Red Hood Gang, for example, and ultimately takes a beating from the Dark Knight that results in the scars on his face and a dip in chemicals that give him his unique appearance. We have a feeling this theory could pan out, so stay tuned!