The DCEU has produced one of the most controversial versions of the Joker in recent years. While his visual design, portrayal, and role in the movies have certainly divided audiences, details on this iteration of the character are actually quite thin on the ground.
In other big-screen versions of the Joker, there has been a much deeper analysis of his psyche, potential origins, and overall goals. The DCEU has created a mystery around Jared Leto's take on the character, though, and how he fits into this much larger shared universe. There are definitely a few other details that fans would love to know about the DCEU's Joker.
How Many Jokers Are There?
DC Comics recently ran a story that saw three different versions of the Joker all terrorize Gotham at some stage of Batman's career. Fans have long thought that the version of Joker in the DCEU may not actually be the first one in that universe.
Of course, with the company running the "Worlds Of DC" branding campaign, which seems to confirm the Multiverse approach to storytelling moving forward, there's no confirmation as to how many Jokers there are in the Multiverse or indeed on this original Earth.
The Character's Real Name
This isn't a necessity for the character, but some cinematic versions of the Joker have seen his real name revealed. Even the comics have played around with potential identities. Most recently, audiences became familiar with Arthur Fleck, with Jack Napier also standing out as a contender.
Maybe this is a detail that could be saved for a Jared Leto-led film down the line, or perhaps it's a fact that DC wants to keep close to their chest to continue the mystery. If the real name of the Joker is ever revealed in the DCEU, it's probably to create some kind of shocking familial connection between characters.
Clown Prince Of Crime's Background
Much like his birth name, fans are also unaware of Joker's background in the DCEU. Where was he born? Was he always a criminal? Does he have the same tragic backstory as some other versions of the character? His childhood and early career remain a complete mystery.
Considering that the DCEU does draw heavily from comic book lore, it's quite probable that the Joker comes from a less affluent upbringing and had to adapt to survive. Alas, it might never be known whether this is the truth, or simply a twist in the Joker's story.
Becoming The Joker
Thanks to Suicide Squad, it is well documented that this Joker became the Clown Prince of Crime because of a vat of acid and chemicals — the same one that he pushes Harley Quinn into. This at the very least helps to explain his appearance and psychological state.
The big detail that has been left out is how he got to that stage in life. Is it a Red Hood-based story, similar to the comics? Or perhaps this isn't the first Joker at all but instead, someone inspired by the original. There are even theories that this is a version of Jason Todd, driven mad by a past foe.
The First Meeting Of Batman And Joker
It would be fascinating to know how Batman and Joker first met one another. They are one of the most iconic enemy duos in popular culture, but usually, their first meeting is portrayed on-screen as part of the movie's narrative. That's been shifted for the DCEU.
When fans meet Bruce Wayne he has already had countless wars with the Harlequin of Hate. Their first meeting could have perhaps been even before Joker was exposed to the chemicals, linking their fates to one another for all eternity.
In Birds Of Prey, Harley famously and very publicly breaks up with the Joker. The fallout of this is seen very clearly with Harley's protection rapidly falling away. She starts her life over and looks to become more of an antihero.
The impact for Joker though has yet to be seen. He may have been shocked by the destruction of his relationship, or he could have tried to replace Harley very quickly with another character like Punchline. He could even be thrilled to finally have things ended!
What Happened To Robin?
Robin's fate in the DCEU has never been officially revealed within the canon. While Zack Snyder has shared his own ideas about the events that unfolded, ultimately it has yet to be put to screen. There's a couple of different theories as to how the Joker is involved.
Perhaps it was Joker that killed Robin. Alternatively, the writing across the suit may just be Joker mocking Wayne without any correlation to Robin. One of the most popular theories is the previously mentioned concept that the current Joker could actually be the Boy Wonder himself.
Has The Joker Ever Won?
There are been countless movies, TV shows, and video games to include the Joker, and compared to other villains, he actually wins on a number of occasions. His goals are usually to sow chaos or weaken the legacy of Batman, which he often accomplishes.
It's unclear whether Joker has actually ever won in the DCEU, though. He is free to do whatever he wishes and may have a hand in Robin's murder, so it's possible that he has come out victorious on more than one occasion against the Dark Knight.
The Joker's Main Objectives
Speaking of his goals, it's not made completely obvious what Joker wants in the DCEU. The majority of his appearances have been concerning Harley Quinn, with whom he wanted to sustain some kind of relationship. The Clown Prince of Crime moniker also seems to be something he holds dear.
After all, he is more of a mob boss than an outright supervillain. His goals could be financial rather than the ideological schemes the character can often be found plotting. Joker may need to be a key antagonist before his desires are fully revealed.
Status Of The Character
Th Snyder Cut goes a little way in answering some of the above questions. Indeed, in this version of the timeline, Robin was killed and Joker clearly had something to do with it. What's more, he survives into the future, becoming a realist amongst a chaotic world.
However, this currently isn't part of the canon narrative of the DCEU. Whether the Joker will actually return really remains to be seen. Perhaps he will have some surprising cameos in the future, but in the present timeline, the status of Batman's nemesis is unclear.