With just one film, Matt Reeves’ take on the Dark Knight in the form of 2022’s, The Batman has captivated fans of the superhero once more. Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne / Batman takes the character back to his detective roots and grounds the narrative in a sprawling Gotham City stricken with crime.
As fans eagerly anticipate the next installments in Reeves’ universe, one theory makes up for an interesting story arc for Pattinson’s Batman to undergo in the third installment. According to a theory posted online by a fan, the third movie in The Batman franchise could see Joker and Riddler team up, paying off the first film’s ending. However, the duo might be joined by a third major villain to turn Batman’s world upside down.
The Batman 3 Fan Theory Makes Joker and Riddler Team Up to Face Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight
Directed by Matt Reeves, The Batman introduces viewers to Robert Pattinson‘s Bruce Wayne / Batman, who stops the murderous crime spree of Paul Dano‘s Edward Nashton / Riddler. The film ends with Riddler meeting Barry Keoghan’s Joker in Arkham, setting up a potential team-up in a future installment.
According to Reddit user @ArthurReeves397, the teased team-up between Joker and Riddler could come to fruition in the franchise’s third film. In a lengthy theory posted by the user, Joker and Riddler could join forces to face Batman and wreak havoc on his life in a potential The Batman 3.
The user argued that delaying the teased team-up between Batman’s two worst enemies to a third movie would allow Bruce Wayne persona to expand in the sequel. The Joker and Riddler could then systematically target Batman after learning his true identity and dismantle his personal life, thus testing his resolve and commitment to crime-fighting.
Fan Theory Adds an Intriguing Third Major Villain to Torture Robert Pattinson’s Batman
While Joker and Riddler going after Batman is an enticing prospect on paper, the user further theorized that another major villain from Batman’s Rouges Gallery could be added into the mix. As per the theory, Joker and Riddler could receive help from Harvey Dent, who, by this point, would have undergone his transformation into the villainous Two-Face.
In the comics, Harvey Dent and Bruce Wayne are depicted as close friends before the former’s heel turn. As a result, Two-Face’s involvement in Joker and Riddler’s ploy could help them gain personal information about the man under the cowl, leading to further challenges for Batman. With Reeves set to expand the universe with several spin-off projects, we could see the interpersonal dynamic between Joker, Riddler, and Two-Face well in advance of the threequel.
The carefully selected trio of villains would be able to challenge Batman on a personal, psychological, and physical level, putting him at the brink of his abilities and testing his limits. Thus, Pattinson’s Batman, facing the triple threat in The Batman 3, could serve as a fitting end to the Reeves trilogy. Meanwhile, The Batman – Part II, which is expected to start shooting this year, has been delayed to October 2026.
The Batman is streaming on Max.
