MovieChat Forums > Joker (2019) Discussion > Timeline feels off (spoilers)

Timeline feels off (spoilers)

posted 5 years ago by [deleted]
12 replies | jump to latest

Overall really liked this movie and I thought Joaquin Phoenix was fantastic. The one thing that seemed off was the timeline for this character. Arthur is a man in his 40s at the time he evolves into the Joker while the film culminates on the night Thomas and Martha Wayne are murdered. With Bruce a good 20 years away from becoming Batman, that would put Joker in his 60s when they'd first do battle. That just doesn't feel right to me. Other than that, no real complaints on the film.

[–] AP (5258) 5 years ago

I don't think Bruce will become Batman in this world.

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

He will become the Bat-Mayor and fix Gotham's crime rate by pouring money into mental health services.

[–] AP (5258) 5 years ago

Seems likely.

[–] Volley (3368) 5 years ago

Oh he will become Batman, with Gotham's craziness reaching epic proportions that much is obvious, the city continues to slide into major corruption and crazy to the point where Bruce Wayne has to become Batman to save his city.

It's more likely that this 'Joker' may not actually be The Joker that Batman fights eventually, as this film is extremely ambiguous.

[–] LordBAElish (2015) 5 years ago

This is what I think. This is a separate universe, a different Joker. Batman doesn't necessarily exist in this world. Bruce Wayne could just sit on his ass and do nothing in this future universe.

[–] dmac8 (5050) 5 years ago

You'll need a careful re-watch.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

I do plan on seeing it again but could you tell me what I'm missing?

[–] actionkamen (23176) 5 years ago

At first yeah, I felt that too in the theater. But then, how about maybe this movie is 'in universe' with Bvs and JL? I know, I know it's a long shot... but I kept wondering.

What if this Joker is the inspiration for the Leto's Joker in the future. In that timeline (Suicide Squad, BvS) Batman is older and Leto's Joker is not Arthur Fleck but a self-appointed spiritual successor. It makes sense considering that Phoenix's Joker was depicted as influential to many people.

That would need a dose of retcons for sure, but I think it would be cool.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Pretty sure those involved with this film want no connection to the DCEU lol. But that also did occur to me as well at one point that perhaps this character was the inspiration for a later iteration of the Joker that would battle with an adult Bruce Wayne. I remember in Gotham it looked like they were going in that direction by killing Jerome (but thankfully he was brought back).

Since Todd Phillips has said there would be no sequel I don't see us ever getting an answer unfortunately.

[–] mikeflatley (756) 5 years ago

Nah. Bruce wuz like age 10 so only 10 yrz away. Joker wuz alwayz older than batz. Issue is too much dancin. Is he goin 2 challenge batz 2 a dance off?

[–] ReelReviews14 (1030) 5 years ago

>>> that would put Joker in his 60s when they'd first do battle <<

Sounds close to the age Jack Nicholson was when did first battled Batman.

[–] [deleted] 5 years ago

Well Nicholson was 51 when he filmed his role in Batman, which was 14 years older than Michael Keaton. Cesar Romero was 60ish when he played the character though so I suppose it's not without precedent.