Director Matt Reeves has posted a deleted Joker scene from The Batman. The clip features Robert Pattinson’s Batman talking with Barry Keoghan’s Joker in Arkham Asylum.
In the scene, Batman comes to the visitor’s area to interview the Joker about the Riddler’s methodologies. Essentially, the Joker plays a similar role to Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lambs. The villain leaves a lot of cryptic clues and phrases and suggests that Batman is scared by the Riddler’s motives.
The Batman | Deleted Arkham Scene from Matt Reeves on Vimeo.
‘The Batman’s Version of the Joker
There’s so much to unpack from this five-minute clip. First off, let’s talk about the Joker’s design. He is grotesque and even more deformed than Heath Ledger’s interpretation. He has green hair, but it is patchy and bald in many areas. He has ambiguously chalky, white skin with boils all over it, his fingernails look ripped off and crusted over with dry blood,and there there’s his smile. This is a rictus grin is full of crooked teeth and scarred skin around the mouth.
Director Matt Reeves made an interesting film-making choice not to give a full, clear look at the Joker. He’s seen either in extreme close-ups or blurry, unfocused shots. All of this really conveys a sense of looming menace that forces the audience to mentally fill in the gaps of what the Joker actually looks like.
Another interesting tidbit, the Joker and Batman already have an established relationship. According to the villain, it’s been almost a year since Batman apprehended him. What an interesting choice to forgo the Joker and Batman’s first encounter.
What Does This Mean?
Matt Reeves has gone on record saying that this is really a proto-Joker. He’s not fully formed into his Clown Prince of Crime identity yet. Currently, actor Barry Keoghan’s character is listed officially as “Unnamed Arkham Prisoner”.
However, at least it confirms the rumors of Keoghan playing the Joker. Despite the studio’s insistence that he was playing another character earlier last year, the rumor turned out to be true after all.
Reeves went on to say that he cut the scene for a good reason. While cool, it doesn’t advance the plot of the main movie. It’s unknown how much of this new version of the Joker will be seen in the future too, as Reeves has made no promises about the character’s return.
Still, what a cool scene for the fans!
The Batman is now playing in theaters. It will hit HBO Max on April 19.
Source: Vimeo.com
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