The chaotic love story between the Clown Prince of Crime and his twisted paramour could be heading back to the big screen – with an intriguing new creative force at the helm. If recent reports are to be believed, Weapons and Barbariandirector Zack Cregger is cooking up a fresh take on Joker and Harley Quinn, and it just might shake up the DC landscape.
A Gotham Tale Waiting in the Shadows
According to prominent entertainment scooper Daniel Richtman, Cregger has already penned a script for a Joker and Harley Quinn-focused movie and is preparing to pitch it directly to DC Studios co-head James Gunn. Though there’s no official word from Warner Bros. or DC yet, the rumor alone has sparked plenty of curiosity, especially among fans eager to see what the future holds for these iconic characters.
Cregger himself hinted at this Gotham-set idea long before Weapons was even announced. In a 2022 interview, he shared:
“There are conversations about existing I.P. franchises that I can’t talk about, and then there’s a script I wrote before Barbarian that takes place, um, in Gotham City. And, uh, I actually love… I think that’s my favorite thing I’ve written believe it or not.”
Though he emphasized that no official conversations with Warner Bros. had occurred at the time, it’s clear the filmmaker has been passionate about this project for quite a while. And considering how well his horror-thriller Barbarian was received – with its sharp tension, psychological dread, and creative storytelling – fans are eager to see how those strengths might translate into the gritty streets of Gotham.
Where Would It Fit in the DC Universe?
That’s the million-dollar question: if this project moves forward, will it be part of the mainline DCU currently being reshaped by Gunn and Peter Safran, or will it exist as an “Elseworlds” story?
Gunn has made it clear that not all DC stories need to exist within the same continuity. We’ve already seen examples like Joker (2019) from Todd Phillips and Matt Reeves’ The Batman carve out their own distinct corners of the DC multiverse, allowing for unique tones, styles, and character interpretations.
So Cregger’s take could land in a few places:
- The mainline DCU, launching with Creature Commandos and Superman: Legacy
- Matt Reeves’ Batman Universe, where gritty noir stories are taking center stage
- A standalone Elseworlds film, completely separate and creatively independent
Given Cregger’s indie horror background, it wouldn’t be surprising if this Joker and Harley Quinn film leaned toward a more psychological or stylized vision – something that might thrive better outside of continuity-heavy DCU storytelling.
A Fresh Perspective on a Legendary Duo
Joker and Harley Quinn have been through a lot on-screen in the past decade. Jared Leto and Margot Robbie’s portrayals in Suicide Squad offered a hyper-stylized take, while Birds of Prey gave Harley more independence and agency. On the other end of the spectrum, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker explored the tragic descent into madness in a grounded, Oscar-winning performance.
The question is: what could a Zack Cregger version bring to the table?
If Barbarian is any indication, expect psychological thrills, unexpected turns, and deep dives into trauma and identity – all of which align well with the often disturbing yet strangely captivating dynamic between Joker and Harley. Cregger’s ability to make audiences squirm while remaining engaged might be just what’s needed to tell a new kind of Gotham love story — one that’s chilling, tragic, and emotionally complex.
Don’t Count Your Cards Yet
Of course, all of this remains unconfirmed. No announcements have been made, no casting revealed, and no timeline established. The DC Studios ship is still steering through a sea of changes and reboots. That said, there is precedent for good ideas turning into unexpected projects. Gunn himself has admitted that Clayface only became part of the DCU’s roadmap after filmmaker Mike Flanagan pitched a compelling story.
So if Cregger’s Joker and Harley idea is strong enough, it might just join the lineup – even if it wasn’t originally part of the plan.
Final Thoughts: Should It Happen?
It’s easy to be cynical about another Joker and Harley Quinn project. But when you put a passionate, imaginative director like Zack Cregger in the mix – someone who’s already proven his ability to surprise and unsettle – it starts to sound like something truly fresh.
Whether it becomes an Elseworlds experiment, a twisted addition to Matt Reeves’ saga, or a bold chapter in Gunn’s evolving DCU, this rumored movie has the potential to offer a new spin on Gotham’s most infamous couple.
And honestly, in a world overflowing with superhero stories, isn’t a little madness a welcome change?
Let’s just hope Cregger gets his chance to show us what his version of Gotham looks like – and how much chaos Joker and Harley can unleash this time.
