Joker and Dent in Batman 3?

I’ve been tossing and turning (nah, not really – but that sounds better than “I briefly considered for a second posting an item on such-and-such) over whether to post what I’ve heard could be happening for the-too-far-away-so-I-don’t-know-whether-I-should-even-be-mentioning-it “Batman 3” – but shit, since Chuck Roven suggested it (probably without realizing it – but by simply reminding people that the role is much bigger than the actor behind it; he’s let the world know he’s open to the idea of the character’s comeback), I’ll just come out with it – heard from someone at the WB that The Joker may be a part of the next Batman film – if even in a minor capacity. I believe “It’s definitely possible; ya never know. Heard some things” were his exact words.

Now most will know I know a lot of the execs at the WB Burbank compound from my brief time there developing my flick “First Howl”, so this isn’t verbal spew from someone that drops the yellow lollies in the urinal’s there. It’s someone who, whilst not involved in the “Batman” franchise, is involved with some of Warner’s other high-profile properties. So yeah, if he’s heard something… it’s not from the IMDB messageboards.

So what’s that mean? Joker may come back? Guess so!…. Concrete? Fuck no!

“Nolan and his team will be throwing many ideas around at the moment”, I was reminded in a later email by the same person.

Does it mean that there’s a chance, if even a tiny one, that the character might be back? Yeah.

I know, I Know – I can’t imagine anyone but Ledger as Nolan’s Killer Clown either (and I can imagine Christopher Nolan feels the same) but from what I can gather it’d merely for storytelling reasons – they want to tie-up the character’s storyline – not because they wanna keep selling the Joker T-Shirt (which, of course they do).

Now, The Joker featured in an early treatment for the third film.

David Goyer told me a couple of years ago that it was always the plan to have the character feature in both “The Dark Knight” and the sequel that followed it. But he also said, at the time, that the plan was for Harvey Dent not to become Two-Face until the third film, so it goes without saying that things change, and things did. Change, that is. And with Heath Ledger abruptly and rather tragically leaving the world shortly after completing his ‘Joker’ turn for “The Dark Knight”, one would automatically assume that all plans for the character to return – if even in a cameo – for the third film would be scrapped.

‘Well, Hello Beautiful’ – seems it’s still possible the bastard bank robber’s still out there.

So, The Joker may be back for the new flick – whenever it happens – and, naturally, with a new actor behind the stringy hair and hard-to-imitate laugh. Now I’m sure it’s not definite, and it’s merely an idea that’s on the table (and even if the character’s return is part of a treatment that can easily be changed), but there is a strong possibility that Nolan may bring back the character (as hard as it may be for many of us to accept another actor in the role – in this particular incarnation of the Bat-series, anyway) for a final hurrah.

Oh, and what’s this!?….

What’s Aaron Eckhart saying? Well, he’s hinting that Two-Face may be back for the next film, too.

At today’s Globes, the actor cheekily suggested Dent may still be alive.

”Harvey — if he’s not dead — is in a serious coma,” stated Eckhart to MTV, “and I’m not sure he’s coming out. They might pull the plug on him.”

Now, as I said above, the plan was to have Dent (and The Joker) appear in two “Batman” films. Might that still be the case? Despite Ledger’s passing (and Two-Faces!) might they still be working from the original “Batman 3” outline?

I doubt it- though it is possible they’ve written those characters into whatever treatment they’re working on now. But I hope not. Personally, I feel both characters have met their ultimate conclusions – there’s nothing more to say, especially when it comes to Dent – but I wouldn’t be opposed to hearing The Joker’s giggle coming from a ward in Arkham Asylum as Bruce Wayne drops off The Riddler (or even Selina Kyle?).