By jasper 
Sequels and a Trilogy on the Horizon!
It’s abundantly clear that Matt Reeves’ The Batman is not intended as a standalone cinematic endeavor. Both the intriguing post-credits scene and the film’s hopeful conclusion strongly suggest a continuation of this fresh take on the Dark Knight’s world.
Robert Pattinson himself has expressed his enthusiasm for the role, stating in interviews, “I’m ready to keep playing Batman as long as audiences want me to.” He further revealed that he and director Reeves have already engaged in discussions regarding a potential Batman trilogy, with Pattinson even having envisioned the complete emotional and psychological evolution of his Bruce Wayne across these films.
The Emergence of a New Clown Prince of Crime?
In the film’s final moments, Edward Nashton, the Riddler portrayed chillingly by Paul Dano, finds himself incarcerated within the grim walls of Arkham Asylum. There, he engages in a disturbing, gleeful exchange with the inmate in the adjacent cell, their unsettling laughter echoing through the stark corridors. This neighboring prisoner, glimpsed only fleetingly, possesses a truly unnerving feature: a disturbingly wide, almost torn-looking grin that has ignited fervent speculation among viewers – could this be the dawn of a new Joker?
Intriguingly, this enigmatic character is brought to life by one of the most promising actors of his generation, Barry Keoghan. Adding to the mystery, prior to the film’s premiere, Keoghan’s role on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) was listed as a police officer named Stanley Merkel. However, following the film’s release, this credit was swiftly changed to the cryptic “Unseen Arkham Inmate.”
In recent interviews, director Matt Reeves has offered a tantalizingly ambiguous confirmation, hinting that this “could” indeed be the Joker within The Batman universe. However, Reeves clarifies that this iteration is not yet the fully formed Clown Prince of Crime that audiences know. Without a doubt, this most captivating and terrifying villain in the DC pantheon is poised to make a significant return to the silver screen.
This revelation begs the question: following the iconic, Oscar-winning portrayal by Heath Ledger, Jared Leto’s more flamboyant, comic-book-inspired version, Joaquin Phoenix’s critically acclaimed, character-driven masterpiece, and the countless other memorable interpretations of the Joker throughout cinematic history, what unique and compelling style will Barry Keoghan bring to the ninth theatrical incarnation of this legendary antagonist? The answer, it seems, lies within the unfolding chapters of Matt Reeves’ ambitious Batman trilogy. Let us eagerly anticipate what darkness and brilliance await.