Joker: Folie à deux can finally adapt a famous DC comic book scene that was teased in 2008's The Dark Knight. The first Joker is a hard-hitting drama set in a comic book universe. It doesn't lean into the comic aspects of Gotham City, but it does include notable Batman characters like Thomas Wayne and a young Bruce Wayne. Joker 2 could expand further into DC lore, especially with the addition of Harley Quinn. There may also be several famous villains who could appear while Arthur is locked inside Arkham prison.
As Joker: Folie à Deux nears its release, new images and details are being shared, giving a better look at who else is in the cast. A trailer shared on Instagram by Warner Bros. included a brief glimpse at Harvey Dent, played by Harry Lawtey. Most people know Dent as the District Attorney who transforms into Two-Face, but Joker 2's version is before his face is scarred beyond repair. However, this gives Joker 2 the perfect opportunity to give audiences Dent's comic book origins, a moment that was teased but altered by Christopher Nolan in The Dark Knight.
The Dark Knight Includes A Clever Misdirect With Harvey Dent
The Dark Knight first introduces Aaron Eckhart's Harvey Dent in a courtroom, representing Gotham in a case against Salvatore Maroni. Dent questions one of Maroni's men when the situation turns hostile. The witness pulls a gun on Harvey, who quickly disarms him and punches him in the face. It's a perfect way to introduce Harvey as a ruthless attorney who isn't afraid to confront criminals, even if it puts his life in danger. However, this introduction is also a clever way of misleading many Batman comic book readers.
The Dark Knight is currently available to stream on Max.
Harvey Dent debuted in DC Comics in Detective Comics #66. His origins include a scene similar to this where he is questioning Maroni in court. However, instead of getting a gun aimed at him, Maroni throws acid in his face, which scars half his face, leading to his transformation into Two-Face. This scene in The Dark Knight is a smart homage to his comic book origins, while misleading viewers familiar with the character. Dent does turn into Two-Face, but not until later in the film when his face catches fire during Joker's explosion after getting gasoline on it.
Joker 2 Could Include Harvey's Tragic Comic Book Origins, Teasing Two-Face's Arrival
In the new footage, Harvey speaks at a press conference, emphasizing the chaos that Arthur's actions created in Gotham. He could be the attorney leading the opposition in Arthur Fleck's trial, presenting an opportunity for Joker 2 to adapt Two-Face's comic book origins. Either Arthur or another witness could splash acid in Harvey's face, creating more of Joker's chaos and teasing Harvey's eventual turn into Two-Face.
Joker may not get a third film, but the franchise isn't opposed to teasing future developments that audiences know are coming. In Joker, Thomas and Martha Wayne are killed in front of Bruce by a rioter in a clown mask, putting a twist on Batman's origins. The Joker series doesn't have to introduce Batman at any point, but it's an interesting way of tying this universe together. The same can be done with Harvey in Joker Folie à Deux, expanding the roster of villains in Gotham.
