R-Rated Batman Movie Set Photos Tease The New Joker’s Origin Story In James Gunn’s DCU

The new DC Universe has many plans for the Batman pocket of the franchise, and it seems like they will include the Dark Knight’s biggest villain, the Joker, in some way, with the character’s presence already felt in the DCU. Batman’s first movie is The Brave and the Bold. The film will see the live-action debut of Damian Wayne, Bruce’s son.

Besides Damian, more Bat-Family characters will be in Batman’s first DCU solo movie. That showcases how James Gunn wants the DCU’s slate of projects to develop Gotham City in exciting ways. Before Batman and other Bat-Family members appear, DC has already started to populate the DCU’s Gotham with a few Batman villains from the pages of DC Comics.

Clayface is getting his own movie, releasing in 2026, before Batman’s The Brave and the Bold. White Rabbit recently debuted in Peacemaker season 2, though she seems to be a hero/anti-hero, as she tried to join the Justice Gang. Finally, Doctor Phosphorus was a key member of Creature Commandos, where he was stopped by Batman. Now, the Joker has been teased.

Joker Is Confirmed To Exist In James Gunn’s DC Universe

Heath Ledger as the Joker staring at something off-screen in The Dark Knight

While he has yet to appear in animation or live-action, there is at least one version of the Joker in the DCU. Recently, Clayface set pH๏τos confirmed as much, with graffiti spotted on the Batman villain movie set that reads “The Jokers.” This could mean one of two things for the Clown Prince of Crime in DC’s upcoming movies.

On the one hand, “The Jokers” could refer to a gang that operates under the Joker, which has happened before in the comics and DC adaptations. On the other hand, DC had a popular comic book story that delved into the existence of three Jokers, which would certainly put a fresh spin on the overused villain for live-action audiences.

Joker’s Classic Origin Connects To Batman Villain Movie Set PH๏τos

A wickedly smiling joker holding the original Red Hood helmet in the rain.

Besides the confirmation that Gunn’s DCU has a Joker, another round of Clayface set pH๏τos teases how the character’s origin story from the comics could tie into the DCU interpretation of the character. The Batman villain movie set pH๏τos show a Gotham City map. In it, several key locations from DC Comics can be seen, such as Wayne Manor and Arkham Asylum.

One of those locations happens to be Ace Chemicals. Fans of the Joker will know that is where the character’s most beloved origin story plays out, with the Joker falling into a vat of acid that gives the villain his chalk white skin and helps him descend into madness.

The pieces are now in play for the DCU to explore that. With the Bat-Family confirmed for Batman’s The Brave and the Bold movie, if Jason Todd is involved, which Damian’s debut means should be the case, then it would make sense for the DCU to go with the Joker origin story where he started as the Red Hood criminal.