The Batman is a major success amidst the ongoing merger between Discovery and Warner Media. However, it might not reach the desired billion dollar club, as it will soon move to streaming after the 45-day theatrical window. Releasing the deleted scene online is a marketing strategy to increase buzz while the movie is still in theaters. But it appears the response is not universally positive. What does the deleted Joker interrogation scene reveal? Why are the Batman fans not fully embracing Keoghan’s depiction of the infamous supervillain? Check out the details below.
Not so serious
The deleted scene has The Batman (Robert Pattinson) confront Barry Keoghan’s Joker. The event takes place sometime in the middle of the vigilante’s investigation into the identity of the Riddler (Paul Dano). As Batman visits the mad criminal in Arkham, he consults the Joker to profile the Riddler’s motivations. The sequence has obvious influences from The Silence of the Lambs, where Clarice Starling (Jodie Foster) approached Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in order to catch another serial killer. It’s interesting to note that the Joker mentions vengeance as a common denominator between Batman and the Riddler. This ties into the intended character development of Bruce Wayne from the beginning of the movie to becoming more than an agent of vengeance by the climax. The scene also provides a clearer picture of what this universe’s Joker looks like. The pasty white complexion, the greenish hair, with bald spots, and the horrible scarring on the face and mouth are particularly eye-catching. There are clear similarities to the version that appeared in the comic books by artist Lee Bermejo. Barry Keoghan himself shared the video on his Twitter feed, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to play the iconic Batman villain:
— Barry Keoghan (@BarryKeoghan) March 24, 2022 Fans who have reacted positively to Keoghan’s deleted scene lamented the fact that it was not included in the final cut. The general consensus is that it would have helped tighten the plot of Batman going beyond vengeance into a true force for good. Plus, the inclusion of the scene would have better set up Keoghan’s Joker and Dano’s Riddler meeting in Arkham for the first time:
— Variety (@Variety) March 24, 2022
— Batman Shots 📸 (@BatmanShots_) March 24, 2022
“There’s a serial killer. I need your perspective.” pic.twitter.com/jVCNUnKJWH — BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) March 24, 2022
— The Cinema Seeker (@TheCinemaSeeker) March 24, 2022
Not everyone is happy
While there are many fans of The Batman film who have reacted positively, a vocal section have a different opinion. Some have noted that it is a little over-the-top, given the supposed grounded approach of the movie. Others have even noted how it now seems unfair that Jared Leto’s Joker from the DCEU has received much ridicule, yet Barry Keoghan’s is worse by comparison:
— Barry🦇❓ (@Shreya24613319) March 24, 2022
— prince (@Iharaaaaaaa) March 24, 2022 There is also a segment of DC fans who feel Keoghan’s Joker is trying a little too hard to compete with The Dark Knight version played by the late Heath Ledger. Some have even pointed out the design is lifted from the early tests for Ledger’s that were abandoned, which were closer to the Lee Bermejo depiction.
— レスボボ。 (@lesbobomb) March 24, 2022
- Heath Ledger2. Joaquin Phoenix3. Jared Leto4. Jack Nicholson 5. Walter Hamada 6. Barry Keoghan 7. Toby Emmerich — Angry Snyder Fan (@snyder_all) March 24, 2022
It was fine. But it didn’t add much, and it reminded me a little too much of Heath Ledger’s version of The Joker. So I’m glad that Matt Reeves and his editors left it on the cutting-room floor. #TheBatman pic.twitter.com/i5nMgxiQ2g — hellresidentNY (@hellresidentNY) March 24, 2022 Aside from the visual similarities, the attempted laugh sounded like a higher pitched version of Ledger’s. The head tilts and inflections in speech also appear to be similar, though the accents are different. Keoghan appears to be using a New York accent, where Ledger’s had something of a Chicago accent.
Last laugh
The Batman director Matt Reeves has stated that there are no definite plans for the future of Keoghan’s Joker. In fact, he might not even be in the immediate sequel or spin-offs. Speaking to Variety, Reeves explained the inclusion of the Joker in the film: While fans have expressed mixed reactions to the portrayal and role the Joker ultimately plays in the denouement of The Batman, the deleted scenes do firmly establish the existing relationship between the Dark Knight and the Clown Prince of Crime in this universe. What did you think about Barry Keoghan’s Joker? Is it too early to judge how effective Keoghan’s Joker is compared to other live action contemporaries? Is it objectively better than the performance of Jared Leto in the Snyderverse films? But while the reactions to this short deleted scene are a mixed bag, it is undeniable that it has had a noteworthy impact to fans of the Batman franchise. The Batman is currently running in theaters, with an HBO Max streaming release on April 19, 2022.
