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The DCEU’s Batman has had a tough run of it lately. Ben Affleck has officially stepped down from directing the solo film, Argo and Batman v Superman scribe, Chris Terrio, has reportedly turned in a rewritten script, and WB is actively searching for someone to fill out the director’s chair. Aside from Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke and rumors suggesting the film is packed with villains, there are no details about what the original script entailed for the Bat’s next standalone outing.
Now it seems those reportedly close the project are letting small hints slip. According to Forbes‘ Mark Hughes, Joker and a few other members of the vigilante’s rogues were set to feature in Ben Affleck’s version of the script. Hughes noted the following in his article:
“The story for The Batman originally included the assassin Deathstroke as a main villain, with Joe Manganiello cast in the role, as well as a few other likely villainous appearances by characters including the Joker, according to sources familiar with the project.”
Whether or not these few details will be kept intact remain to be seen. With a new director coming aboard and script changes, which Hughes says he’s heard has ranged from “major rewrites” to “a completely new script,” any of the above or all of it is game for alteration.
If Joker did and still does play a part in the tentatively titled The Batman film, the size of his role will continuously be a topic of discussion. Does Jared Leto return as another ancillary side character, akin to his controversial time allotment in Suicide Squad, or is WB looking to establish his roots deeper in their growing franchise? It’s unclear, but if he doesn’t pop up in Batman’s standalone, surely he’ll get some spotlight in Gotham City Sirens… The guessing game could go on indefinitely.
The Dark Knight’s next solo appearance is currently without a release date, and will likely remain so for a while.
Image: Warner Bros.
