DC’s Joker Sequels Should Be An Anthology (Not A Straightforward Trilogy)

As a film with a self-contained plot and bizarre narrative, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker isn’t necessarily set up for a sequel; however, there’s potential in an anthology rather than a straightforward trilogy should DC wish to continue the series. The Joker is one of the most complex characters in comic book history, holding a special place as one of Gotham City’s definitive villains. There are so many takes on Batman’s archnemesis that range from a criminal cornball to a dangerous anarchist scattered across various forms of media—and the odd thing is, each version of the character is valid to some extent.

In the past, the Joker had been featured in films both animated and live-action, playing the role of Batman’s nemesis even as far back as 1966’s Batman starring Adam West. The clown prince of crime eventually got a big-screen solo feature in 2019’s Joker, which gave the character a new tragic backstory. Although the film was as experimental as it was controversial, the movie was a success and considered one of DC’s best, supposedly warranting discussions of a sequel featuring the film’s star, Joaquin Phoenix.

With an eclectic story and narrator, it’s hard to imagine what a Joker sequel would look like, especially since it didn’t follow a traditional comic book plot like many DC films. When it comes to an unusual movie, it’s not a stretch to say that it demands an unconventional sequel, and in the case of Batman’s long-time enemy, an anthology sounds ideal. The Joker as a character doesn’t usually have a definitive genesis, nor is he always a single person, and it’s that kind of premise that makes sense for each movie to explore various origins or even a different Joker altogether. Additionally, it’d be a unique way to take a more cerebral approach to Batman’s rogue’s gallery.

If Joker were to continue as an anthology, it would be oddly appropriate for the character, considering he once told Batman: “If I’m going to have a past, I prefer it to be multiple choice!” The clown prince’s origins have a habit of changing depending on who’s telling the tale, so it’d be authentic and more interesting if Joaquin Phoenix shared a different story with a new doctor every sequel. An anthology would allow DC to adapt some of its fan-favorite tales such as The Batman: Killing Joke, Batman: Three Jokers, and The Batman Adventures: Mad Love without worrying about continuity or consistency because they’d come from an unreliable and potentially manipulative narrator.

Joker took a more psychological approach with its storytelling, often letting audiences decide how much of the story actually happened. By changing his origin in every Joker film, people can take note of recurring themes, characters, and ideas, piecing together who the title character is, and how much of what he’s telling his doctors is true. Going for a more abstract character study is what could make a movie series standout in an oversaturated genre, and it’d allow audiences to be engaged in a way films like Spider-Man: No Way Home or even Birds of Prey can’t offer.

Joker was a unique experiment in storytelling that decided to shirk the tropes and hallmarks of a typical comic book movie. If DC decides to continue the story of Gotham’s most infamous villain on the big screen, an anthology should be the way to go. However, as DC and Warner Bros. continue to produce new movies and projects, fans can always hope that there’s room for their creators to think outside the jack-in-a-box.

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