DCU Fans Are Disappointed With Barry Keoghan Returning as Joker and For Good Reasons

Barry Keoghan is currently going viral in Hollywood, as he has been popping up in many excellent movies and shows for a while now. Following his brief appearance in the HBO miniseries Chernobyl, Keoghan made a prominent place in Hollywood. He further appeared as an unnamed Arkham prisoner in Matt Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman, which raised many questions. 

Currently enjoying his catapulting fame with Saltburn doing well, considering that it is essentially going viral and everyone is talking about it, Barry Keoghan is all over the news. Meanwhile, fans can’t get over his brief cameo in The Batman, where he appeared clear as day in the role of Joker. Keoghan thus opened up about returning as Joker in the sequel, which shockingly left fans disappointed for valid reasons. 

Barry Keoghan’s Return as Joker in The Batman Sequel

Although Barry Keoghan is currently enjoying his fame and growing popularity in the entertainment industry, following his appearance in Saltburn, the actor is making headlines for another reason. Following his appearance in Matt Reeves’ 2022 DC movie The Batman, as an unnamed Arkham prisoner who looked like Joker, Keoghan started speaking headlines. 

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Despite his extensive filmography that holds major critically acclaimed movies and shows, Barry Keoghan is all over the news for his role as Joker and his potential return as the Clown Prince of Crime, in the upcoming sequel. While the entertainment industry is celebrating the success of Saltburn, DC fans are more curious to know if Keoghan will return in The Batman Part II, starring Robert Pattinson. 

Therefore, sitting for an extensive interview with Vanity Fair, Barry Keoghan touched upon his DC role as Joker. Popping the million-dollar question about whether he will be playing the Joker in The Batman Part II, Keoghan opened up about his future with DC. Although he didn’t directly answer about his return, he didn’t deny it either, which fueled fans into believing that he would reprise his character alongside Robert Pattinson. 

Barry Keoghan’s Interview With Vanity Fair

Previously, while chatting with E Talk, Barry Keoghan was asked the same question about his return in The Batman sequel, to which he replied that it’s a secret but hinted at a possibility. Claiming that it’s a well-kept secret, the actor simply hinted that his smile speaks it all. Which made fans curious to know more, since Joker is known for his strange smile. 

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“I can’t really say anything about that. It would be exciting, wouldn’t it? To see the Joker come to life again. My smile says all, you know what I mean?” 

Thereafter, following his previous discussion, Barry Keoghan appeared for an interview with Vanity Fair, where he neither denied nor shared anything about his potential return. This made fans believe that there’s perhaps a possibility, which is why Keoghan is maintaining secrecy. 

“I just want to collaborate with people who are out there trying to bring a new approach to it, people that want to take risks. I also want to be challenged and put to the test where I push my limits and learn on the gig. For me, I physically want to go somewhere. I want to physically change and take on a certain walk or a certain voice and really do a character piece.” 

“Artistically, I’m really comfortable with digging deeper to kind of push myself and bring in some more raw emotion—really break myself down trying to search and discover new performances. But it’s just to have fun and have a legacy and have good recognition, and to enjoy it.” 

Following his extensive response that didn’t clarify the question about his potential return as Joker, Barry Keoghan fueled curiosity among fans. 

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Fans are Disappointed With Barry Keoghan’s Joker 

Meanwhile, as most DC fans are wondering whether Barry Keoghan will potentially return as Joker in The Batman sequel, some fans are disappointed with the update whatsoever. With media outlets considering Keoghan’s response hinting at a possibility of his return as Joker, die-hard DC fans appear seemingly upset with more iterations of the Clown Prince of Crime. 

Coming up with valid reasons claiming that the DC universe is overcrowded with way too many iterations of Joker, not all of which are worthy, fans appear upset with yet another embodiment of the character from Barry Keoghan. Netizens’ disappointment is not directed towards Keoghan as an actor, but instead, fans believe DC doesn’t require any further iterations of Joker. 

I’m burnt out on the Joker. His scene in The Batman was so unnecessary. I feel like they could explore so many other interesting villains.

— Bargain (@BargainBGaming) February 21, 2024

Really wanted this to be the Batman trilogy that didn’t include joker. His rogues gallery had so many other characters to choose from

— 🐘 (@TimGod) February 21, 2024

Oh cool. More joker. Just what we all wanted…

— Eric (@Ebab117) February 21, 2024

What a surprise! I don’t want it though, he’s a good enough actor but I just don’t see it with him, plus there’s enough Jokers already on screen in recent times

— SamJReimer (@SamuelStark93) February 21, 2024

There are a dozen awesome villains to choose from in the batman universe. I'm kinda burnt out on Joker.

— TheQuartering (@TheQuartering) February 21, 2024

Y’all have Batman’s entire fucking rogues gallery and you choose the same villain every time

Like use freeze, bane, penguin, hell even clayface for this

— Punished “Venom” Gelb 🇺🇸 (@GelbDraws) February 21, 2024

I’m so tired of Joker man. Go with someone different man.

— LPxDC (@LPxDC) February 21, 2024

i swear hollywood thinks batman only has like 3 villains

— ًًً (@frogforest) February 21, 2024

There’s already Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Jared Leto, and Joaquin Phoenix, who appeared as the Clown Prince of Crime in several DC flicks. And now, with Barry Keoghan dropping yet another iteration of Joker seems to be a little too much for some fans. Although the psychotic villain character is truly enticing and people prefer to see him more, fans believe that DC doesn’t require any further iterations of him.