In the DCEU’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, it was revealed that The Joker had killed Robin, mirroring the comic book storyline where the Clown Prince of Crime murdered Jason Todd. This tragedy left a lasting mark on Batman, who kept Robin’s costume in the Batcave as a symbol of his deepest loss. However, director Zack Snyder suggested that the Robin killed in this universe was actually Dick Grayson, not Jason Todd, indicating inspiration from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Strikes Again storyline.
Joker’s Appearance and Interaction with Batman
Although Suicide Squad placed The Joker prominently in its narrative, the character’s interaction with Batman was limited to a brief chase mostly highlighting Harley Quinn rather than Joker himself. Snyder’s Justice League offered a surprising glimpse of a post-apocalyptic world—often called the Knightmare timeline—where Batman reluctantly teams up with The Joker to fight against Superman, who has become a tyrant under Darkseid’s influence and the Anti-Life Equation.
Zack Snyder Reveals New Image of Knightmare Joker
Recently, Zack Snyder shared a new photo on Instagram featuring Jared Leto as the Knightmare Joker, showcasing a darker and more unsettling version of the character. This image highlights the uneasy alliance between Batman and Joker in their effort to stop Superman’s destructive rule over Earth.
The Joker’s Knowledge and Deal with Batman
Snyder has explained that Joker plays a crucial role by knowing the location of Kryptonite fragments, describing it as the reason Batman is forced to cooperate with him. As Snyder put it,
“Our theory is that [the Joker is] the one who knows where the Kryptonite, what shards of Kryptonite exist,”
adding,
“He has that information. And so he’s being carried…he has basically made a deal with Batman. ‘Don’t kill me, and I’ll show you. I’ll get you a tool to fight Superman.’”
He also emphasized the complex dependency between the two, noting,
“And so [Batman] is kind of stuck with him, in that way. If he kills him, or gets rid of him, then he’s screwed himself.”
The Mystery Around Robin’s Death
While Snyder has avoided revealing many details about Joker’s actions towards Robin, he hinted at the brutality involved. He said,
“At that point, [Batman’s] real vulnerability was Robin. What’s obvious is that the Joker understood that. Clearly, he blew him up. Or, it looks like he burned or scorched him.”
This reveals the emotional core behind Batman’s motivations in the Knightmare timeline.
Jared Leto’s Joker and the Future of Snyder’s Vision
Jared Leto’s portrayal of The Joker has faced criticism after appearing in poorly received films like Morbius and TRON: Ares, leading to his association with box office failures. Meanwhile, fans hope Snyder might continue developing his DC stories through various formats, but the chances appear slim. There remains disappointment over the fact that Snyder’s Justice League trilogy remains unfinished, and although comic book or animated adaptations could extend the storyline, it might only increase demands for a live-action continuation—something DC Studios seems reluctant to pursue.
