Barry Keoghan explains his one wish for his character in The Batman 2. Keoghan, 29, has had an enthralling start to his career. He co-starred with Mark Rylance in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk and appeared in independent films such as American Animals and The Green Knight. Playing the sociopathic kid Martin in The Killing of a Sacred Deer is likely his most iconic role to date. Keoghan’s distinctive and frightening rhythms as Martin were indelible for many independent film viewers, propelling him to a new level of performer.
Keoghan will reprise his creepy role as The Joker in The Batman 2, this time as a well-known character. Keoghan originally appeared as the Joker in a brief appearance at the end of The Batman (2022), whose main antagonist was Paul Dano’s Riddler. The finale of The Batman hinted at a friendship between the Joker and the Riddler, implying that The Batman 2 will feature some shared villains. Keoghan will have to follow in the footsteps of some legendary performers who have played The Joker, including Jack Nicholson, Heath Ledger, Jared Leto, and Joaquin Phoenix.
In a recent interview with GQ, Keoghan explained his one request for the creative team as he prepares for his Joker role. While the makeup team was creating a mangled prosthetic face for Keoghan’s Joker, he insisted on keeping his genuine blue eyes. The actor went on to say that this look will draw the audience’s attention to “the human in there under the makeup” and bring them closer to his role as a person. Check out Keoghan’s entire quote:
“[The Joker is] a bit charming and a bit hurt. I wanted some sort of human in there behind the makeup. I want people to relate to him. . .[to know] this is a facade he puts in. [The character is] a broken-down boy.”
What Makes This Joker Unique
One of the most important components of the Joker’s character is his makeup and hairstyle. Jokers such as Nicholson have taken a more caricatured approach, whereas Ledger’s Joker appeared substantially more scarred. Keoghan’s Joker appears to be more aligned with the likes of Ledger. However, because Keoghan’s bright blue eyes are still visible rather than obscured by contacts, The Batman 2’s Joker may provide a more instant feeling of humanity, as Keoghan intends. The most recent Joker film, Joker, which will soon be followed by a sequel, undoubtedly portrays its star as “a broken-down boy,” but Keoghan’s piercing eyes could add a further depth to The Joker’s physical appearance.
Then it’s only a question of whether Keoghan’s acting ability can equal the grade of the dynamic character he wants to portray. Keoghan is following in the footsteps of some all-time greats. Ledger received a posthumous Oscar for his performance in The Dark Knight. Phoenix’s current performance in the character has also been acclaimed, and her performance will most likely be compared directly to Keoghan’s as Joker 2 because The Batman 2 will be published in close proximity. Will Keoghan turn up an outstanding performance as The Joker? Time will tell as audiences await the debut of The Batman 2.
Source: GQ