The Batman has finally been released in theaters for audiences to experience. In addition to Robert Pattinson’s new iteration of the Caped Crusader, the tightly written and packed script had a few surprises within: including Barry Keoghan’s mystery role.
Spoilers for the film are ahead.
Barry Keoghan is a relatively new actor who is just starting to gain notoriety from roles in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, The Green Knight, and most notably, Chloe Zhao’s Eternals from the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, casting rumors about Keoghan joining The Batman cast began circulating shortly after the first trailer for the film was released, claiming that the actor would be playing Stanley Merkel, a pre-existing Gotham City police officer. Set photos even emerged of Keoghan in police blues, but as test-screenings for the film began, it was rumored that Warner Bros. was testing a cut with Keoghan playing the Joker.
As detailed by Comicbook.com, in Paul Dano’s final scene as the Riddler, he watches as his plot to break the spirit of Gotham fails and Pattinson’s Batman saves people from the chaos he caused. He screams in agony as his plan falls to ruin, but a voice from a nearby cell speaks up to console him. It’s here that the rumors of Keoghan’s casting are confirmed. Audiences get a brief glimpse of Keoghan’s scarred face as he offers his friendship to Riddler and lets out the iconic maniacal laugh of the Joker.
This is a promising thread for the following The Batman films to pick up on and a possible confirmation for the Joker as the second film’s main villain. Only time will tell Keoghan’s full involvement but for now, audiences have a crazy reveal to enjoy at the end of this film. The Batman stars Robert Pattinson and Zoe Kravitz and is in theaters now.
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