Gotham City, USA – As speculation mounts regarding the next antagonist to take on Batman in Matt Reeves’ upcoming film “The Batman,” actor Barry Keoghan reflects on his brief appearance in the first installment. Fans are eagerly hoping for a more substantial role for Gotham’s notorious Clown Prince of Crime in the next movie.
In an interview with GQ Magazine, Keoghan shared his experience of landing the part without initially auditioning. Inspired by an article mentioning the possibility of The Riddler appearing in the new Batman film, Keoghan decided to create an audition tape for himself. “I just made a tape. I said, ‘I’ll just buy myself a cane and a hat, find myself a corridor and film myself walking down it. Add some swag and music, and let’s see if that gets me an audition,'” Keoghan explained.
Keoghan also disclosed that it took him six arduous hours to apply the intricate prosthetics for his appearance in “The Batman.” He humorously recalled a moment during the process when production unexpectedly shut down due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Already invested five hours into the makeup application, Keoghan found himself wondering about the outcome. “There was this steel thing that went into my cheek, and it was like slicing in. I was like, I’m really going to be left with a scar here.”
The exact identity of Batman’s next nemesis in the highly anticipated sequel remains uncertain. Speculation has been centered around characters like the Joker, the Court of Owls, Hush, Hugo Strange, Mr. Freeze, or even Professor Pyg. However, fans will have to wait for more details in the upcoming weeks.
“The Batman – Part II” is scheduled for release on October 3, 2025, after experiencing a four-month delay in filming, which was initially set to begin in November 2023 but postponed to March. While fans are eager for the Joker’s expanded role in Part II, Reeves cautioned that the character’s brief appearance in the first film did not necessarily indicate he would be the sequel’s main villain.
Reeves clarified that his intention was not to introduce a new version of the Joker, complete with the traditional backstory of falling into a vat of chemicals. Instead, he aimed to present a unique perspective. “What if this guy from birth had this disease and he was cursed? He had this smile that people stared at that was grotesque and terrifying. Even as a child, people looked at him with horror, and his response was to say, ‘Okay, so a joke was played on me,’ and this was his nihilistic take on the world.”
In conclusion, fans eagerly anticipate the upcoming installment of “The Batman,” although the main villain remains shrouded in mystery. The film’s production has been delayed but is now set to release on October 3, 2025. Director Matt Reeves has hinted at a different take on the character of the Joker, showcasing a deeper exploration of his origins and motivations.