Is It Time to Rethink the Joker? Zach Cregger’s Gotham Idea Sparks Fan Buzz

Is It Time to Rethink the Joker? Zach Cregger’s Gotham Idea Sparks Fan Buzz
Image credit: Legion-Media and still from series 'The Batman'

A familiar city, but a different kind of story.

Few comic book characters carry as much cultural weight — or spark as much heated discussion — as the Joker. From dark comic panels to award-winning films, each new take is met with both obsession and scrutiny.

So when word surfaced that Barbarian director Zach Cregger had written a Gotham-set script, the fan radar went off for good reason.

Reportedly, Cregger is preparing to pitch his project to James Gunn’s DC Universe. Naturally, I was intrigued. But this isn't just another Joker origin story — in fact, the Joker may not even be the lead.

A new face in Gotham

According to insider sources, the script focuses on a henchman in the Joker’s orbit. The Clown Prince is still part of the world, but pushed to the margins — a fresh shift, especially after Folie à Deux underwhelmed at the box office. That pivot hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Is It Time to Rethink the Joker? Zach Cregger’s Gotham Idea Sparks Fan Buzz - image 1

"I like the trend. Not excited for Joker due to overexposure," put it Agreeable_Car5114.

"Great writer, not sure I like the trend of villain movies," cautiously noted Micahbevans88.

Still, for a character who appears in nearly every Batman-related media, perhaps it’s time he took a step back — as brucebananaray pointed out: "I bet he’ll show up if Red Hood is involved."

Joker reimagined

Personally, I think there’s still more to explore. In the comics, three distinct Jokers exist — something rarely touched on in film. And Barry Keoghan’s eerie cameo in The Batman left me genuinely curious.

Is It Time to Rethink the Joker? Zach Cregger’s Gotham Idea Sparks Fan Buzz - image 2

That said, Heath Ledger remains the definitive version for me. Joaquin Phoenix’s take was stunning too, though it felt less like comic book chaos and more like a study in societal collapse.

Which is why Cregger’s involvement is so compelling. Barbarian proved he can handle tone, tension, and psychological unease — the exact ingredients that could make a Gotham thriller feel genuinely new.

Cregger’s next confirmed project is a Resident Evil reboot — which I’m watching with no small amount of anticipation — but beyond that, his schedule seems wide open. With DCU in search of direction, maybe it’s time to take a chance on something a little unexpected.

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