A curious rumor has been circulating online lately that the next Joker in the emerging Bat-universe by Matt Reeves will be played by Barry Keoghan. We decided to speculate on this topic and fantasize about which other actors could take on the iconic role.

Barry Keoghan

The actor recently delivered a memorable performance in a comic book movie, has worked with Christopher Nolan and Yorgos Lanthimos, and his career overall is the envy of many young colleagues in the industry.

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It is known that Keoghan will definitely play the role of a police officer in the upcoming "The Batman." Insiders say this is a ruse to mislead people. According to some reports, the actor will appear in the final post-credits scene at Arkham Asylum, hinting at his future appearance in the cinematic universe.

Let's be honest: Keoghan doesn't seem like an obvious choice for the Joker. He's not plastic enough, he lacks a certain craziness, and his appearance might seem ordinary and unremarkable. On the other hand, the actor has charisma that fills the screen every time he appears. He's hard to miss, even if he's standing next to Colin Farrell or Angelina Jolie. His type could become a new interpretation of one of pop culture's main anti-heroes. And as we know from Matt Reeves' interviews, he wants to show us a completely different Batman. So why not make the Joker completely unlike previous versions?!

Timothée Chalamet

It would not be an exaggeration to call Timothée Chalamet the main actor of his generation and a potential Hollywood icon. He already has a role in the adaptation of the legendary , and soon he can be seen as Willy Wonka. But who, if not the Clown Prince of Crime, could become the calling card of the object of adoration for millions of girls (and guys) around the world?

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Chalamet himself could bring tragedy, vulnerability, and even femininity to the Joker's image. And purely externally, the actor is quite suitable for the role: his cheekbones and piercing gaze would fit perfectly into the anti-hero's appearance. Perhaps, like Keoghan, he lacks some chaos and madness, but isn't that a challenge for him?

Lakeith Stanfield

Lakeith Stanfield, known for the series "Atlanta" and the film , has repeatedly stated that he would like to play the Joker one day. For example, with the Safdie brothers, with whom he worked on the film "Uncut Gems." The timing is perfect — we already know that Commissioner Gordon and Catwoman in the new universe will be Black (played by Jeffrey Wright and Zoë Kravitz, respectively).

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Stanfield has already proven that he can handle both comedy and drama. He looks equally organic in serious biopics and outright slacker projects. And this could help him create a unique image of Batman's main enemy.

Sam Rockwell

Sam Rockwell is often called a chameleon actor. And that's not far from the truth. Sometimes it seems that the winner of the Academy Award, Golden Globe, Silver Bear, BAFTA, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards can play absolutely anyone and anything. So the Joker's image would hardly be an impossible task for him.

It would be all the more interesting to see what Rockwell could add to the hugely popular character. What would he be like: comedic or tragic? A mad killer or a cold-blooded psychopath? A brilliant tactician or a chaotic, surprise-filled madman?

Kieran Culkin

Kieran Culkin has long ceased to be just Macaulay's brother. Now he is a self-sufficient actor whose talent has become even more evident in the series "Succession," where he plays a brash and greedy man hungry for power.

Kieran has the necessary facial plasticity. You can see comedic potential in him with the naked eye. And this could help him create his own unique Joker.

Anya Taylor-Joy

These are times when many ingrained ideas are being rethought. Just 5 years ago, no one could have imagined that a woman would play the lead role in the series "Doctor Who." Agent 007, albeit not James Bond, has also been portrayed on the big screen by a woman. Perhaps Batman's main antagonist is in for similar metamorphoses. Especially since this would open up new perspectives for the relationship between the Dark Knight and his eternal rival.

If Matt Reeves and Warner Bros. decide to take such a gamble, they should definitely take a closer look at Anya Taylor-Joy. One of Hollywood's leading young actresses knows how to captivate audiences even in unremarkable projects (see "The New Mutants"). And if given a worthy script, she could captivate the whole world, even just playing chess. In the case of Anya Taylor-Joy, such a radical step as changing the gender of a long-established character would be absolutely justified.

And who do you think could play the next Joker?