Again in the summertime of 2025, Clayface was filming in Liverpool. Images from the set revealed a reference to a different, way more well-known Batman villain. One featured a wall with graffiti on it, and among the many totally different tags was one which learn “The Jokers.” That led to some hypothesis about Joker’s presence within the DC Universe’s Gotham.
As a result of “Jokers” is plural, some thought it might be a reference to a DC Comics storyline from 2020, which launched the concept that as an alternative of 1 Joker, there are three: the clown, the felony, and the comic. That may clarify away any persona inconsistencies between various depictions of the character over 80 years. Others thought “The Jokers” might be a reference to the Joker gang, which is usually portrayed as a gang of road criminals who idolize, and costume like, the Joker. Variations of the gang had been featured in Batman Begins in addition to The Batman. Some thought it was proof that the Joker himself would seem in Clayface.
Having seen Clayface, I do know the reply to those queries, and I can share that there are far more Joker references on this film.
Warning: Spoilers forward for Clayface.
So, no, the Joker is just not in Clayface, a lot much less three of him, nor does the Joker gang seem, however there are a variety of references to him. To begin off, I’m actually unsure if this graffiti even made it into the film, because it’s definitely by no means targeted on, although it might be on the very finish of the movie, hidden within the background, if anyplace.
The identical is true of the opposite direct Joker reference present in set images, the place a paper flyer readinbg “Be a part of the Joker” appeared on a wall. That additionally might have proven up within the film, but when so, it’s not featured with any prominence.
Amusement Mile
What undoubtedly did make it into the film was a second from the teaser, when Matt Hagen (Tom Rhys Harries) walks in entrance of an enormous signal for “Amusement Mile,” which options an infinite clown face on it. Whereas watching the film, there’s no approach this second doesn’t make you consider the Joker. You don’t even need to know that Amusement Mile is steadily depicted as a run-down theme park which the Joker makes use of as a hideout.
Moreover these, there are two different notable Joker references in Clayface.
One Unhealthy Day
The primary of them comes early on within the film, when Matt is watching TV. He’s awaiting the announcement of Oscar nominations, as Matt is hoping that he will probably be nominated. Earlier than they get to his title, one of many movies talked about for an additional nominee is One Unhealthy Day, which is a Joker reference as effectively.
In Alan Moore’s The Killing Joke, which many think about to be the one best Joker story ever instructed, Joker makes a reference to “one dangerous day” in a dialog with Batman. The Joker explains that every one it takes is one dangerous day for somebody to change into as mad as he’s. The Joker additionally, precisely, guesses that Batman had a foul day as soon as, which explains the best way he’s. It’s one of many Joker’s most well-known traces. One Unhealthy Day additionally later grew to become the title of a Batman/Joker story in 2022.
“Wanna understand how I obtained these scars?”
Additionally, whereas watching the movie, I couldn’t assist however consider the Joker in the course of the grotesque scene the place Matt’s face will get carved up by a mob boss after Matt sleeps along with his girlfriend. It’s the main turning level for the character of Clayface, but it appeared to have a reasonably notable Joker reference when the mob boss put his blade in Matt’s mouth and carved it out from the sting of his mouth in an upturned, grin-like minimize. He may have minimize Matt anyplace on the face, and but he evokes the imagery of the Joker’s scarred face at that second, particularly Heath Ledger’s depiction of the character from The Darkish Knight. One can’t assist however bear in mind the 2 contradictory, tension-filled scenes the place the Joker explains how he obtained his scars.
After all, none of those references affirm the Joker’s existence within the DCU’s Gotham already. They might simply be references by the writers and set designers that received’t quantity to a lot sooner or later. Regardless, plainly DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are critically eager about Joker within the DCU — they usually need the viewers to be too.