WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for The Batman, now in theaters.
With the release of The Batman, many viewers are wondering if the story takes place within the same continuity as 2019’s Joker. After all, there are a lot of similarities between the two, particularly the grounded tone. So, could that really have been Arthur Fleck locked up in Arkham Asylum next to Paul Dano’s Riddler?
Despite having similar tones and aesthetics, Matt Reeves has already dismissed this notion. However, that doesn’t stop fans from trying to connect the dots. The evidence presented within the movie speaks for itself and would certainly end any hopes of Robert Pattinson’s vengeance-ridden vigilante facing off against Joaquin Phoenix’s damaged comedian.
The Time Jump Between Joker and The Batman is Massive
Joker took place in 1981, while The Batman took place in the modern-day (heavily hinted to be 2021). In the former, audiences see a young Bruce Wayne, who is maybe ten years old, meeting the possible future Clown Prince of Crime. By the time of the events of The Batman, he would be around 50 years old. However, Robert Pattinson’s version of the character is only in his second year of crime-fighting. This would also make Phoenix’s Joker a much older man in his 70s or 80s and likely incapable of committing crimes or acts of terrorism.
Even though Thomas Wayne ran for mayor in both films, there is a newsreel within The Batman that shows the date as 2001 (again hinting at the setting being 2021 given the allusion of “20 years ago” in the dialogue). This further confirms that the Waynes were still alive coming into the 21st century in this movie.
The Batman and Joker Have Different Takes on Thomas and Martha Wayne’s Fates
Speaking of the Waynes, not only do they have somewhat different backstories in both movies, but they also die under different circumstances. In Joker, they are casualties of the city riot seen near the end of the movie. In The Batman, it is revealed that they were intentionally murdered by Carmine Falcone’s men in a mob hit. This is also the first movie that portrays the Waynes as being somewhat corrupt individuals as opposed to the squeaky-clean image that audiences are used to.
Batman and Joker Inspire Each Other’s Creation in their Own Universes
While Gotham City is filled with crime in both movies, The Joker’s antics in Joker are what inspire thugs to riot and form an anarchist movement in the city. In the process, Arthur Fleck becomes idolized by criminals and becomes a beacon for disorder. These events also lead to Bruce Wayne losing his parents and, presumably, becoming Batman later on. In other words, The Joker created Batman in this universe. This version of the Dark Knight will be needed to keep Gotham under control from the generations of criminals likely inspired by Fleck.
In The Batman, Bruce Wayne believes he is doing the right thing by terrorizing criminals in Gotham as his alter ego. Ironically, however, crime goes up in the city. This also leads to far more terrifying criminals emerging, such as The Riddler and this universe’s version of The Joker, played by Barry Keoghan. Just like how Joker created Batman in the 2019 film, it was Batman who created The Joker in this universe. It isn’t until the end of the movie that Wayne realizes he must use Batman as a symbol of hope for the people of Gotham rather than a symbol of fear for the corrupted. It is because of fear itself that the criminals start adopting Batman’s vengeful persona to get back at him and claim the city for themselves.
Why The Batman and Joker Aren’t Set in the Same Universe
Todd Phillips and Matt Reeves set out to create two of the most gritty and realistic movies for DC separately and both ended up being massively successful. It is purely coincidental that The Batman and Joker feel so much alike, as they both explore the psychological effects that take a toll on both of the protagonists. However, this doesn’t mean they are interconnected in any way.
Thanks to recent movies and shows like Spider-Man: No Way Home and Crisis on Infinite Earths, mainstream audiences are becoming more aware and accepting of the idea of multiple universes (or the multiverse). This allows for more standalone projects involving characters with different versions to happen, such as Michael Keaton’s Batman coming back in The Flash and for Tyler Hoechlin’s Clark Kent to thrive in Superman & Lois. The DCEU lives on in movies like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom and Black Adam, but movies like The Batman and Joker are arguably best enjoyed in their own separate corner of reality.
To see the similarities between the two films, The Batman is now in theaters.
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