Joker: 5 Theories That Actually Improve It
2. This Joker Isn't *the* Joker From The Comics
This theory posits that Fleck's Joker is not *the* Joker from the comics and will not be the nemesis to Batman. Rather, this Joker inspires the comic book Joker who will eventually face off with the Caped Crusader.
If you've seen Joker, you will know that the movie's final act sees a clown riot across Gotham. There are thousands of people in clown masks running around Gotham, smashing up buildings and even killing rich Mayoral candidates/ businessmen. It is clear that Fleck's Joker has inspired thousands of people to 'put on a happy face'. The idea behind this theory is that one of these people will become the actual Joker from the comics.
There are clues in both Phoenix’s portrayal and the director’s comments that support this theory. Firstly, Phoenix’s Joker, while excellently portrayed, is not your typical Joker. While the Clown Prince of Crime is usually seen as deranged, he is also scheming and clever. However, Phoenix's Joker simply seems to be a damaged person who ‘flukes’ his way through the movie.
For instance, he barely escapes the police when they chase him on the train, only managing to escape after the police trigger a fight on the train. Additionally, he only makes it onto the Murray Franklin (Robert De Niro) show because of the crew's incompetence (seriously, why let the guy in the clown make up, who is clearly not well, on your show during a clown riot). This joker wouldn’t really be much of a foil for the Dark Knight.
Maybe Arthur Fleck was never intended to be *the* Joker. As Todd Phillips said, “Maybe Joaquin’s character inspired the Joker. You don’t really know. His last line in the movie is, ‘You wouldn’t get it.’ There is also support for this in the comics, with it being confirmed that there have been three Jokers in the comics.