DC's New Joker Actor Shows James Gunn's DCU What It's Missing

Published Jul 27, 2026, 4:00 PM EDT Kyle is a senior writer at ScreenRant and has been part of the team for over two years. Having led coverage on The Walking Dead projects alongside Rick & Morty, Kyle is well versed in numerous genres. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Kyle is a passionate journalist who has a keen interest in TV and film. He has six years of experience studying journalism including a HND in Practical Journalism and a BA Honours in Journalism, Media and Communication and History. Alongside his love for TV and film, Kyle enjoys video games, football and Formula 1. With the Joker being arguably DC's biggest villain, information about new iterations of the character and who plays him always gets superhero fans talking, and the latest casting is no different. While we have several live-action versions of the Joker to look forward to in the future, it's Batman: Caped Crusader that is introducing a fresh take on the antagonist. Having had a very small cameo in season 1's finale, it looks like Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime will be a mainstay in the second installment, as DC confirmed that Matthew Needham has been cast as Batman: Caped Crusader's Joker. This inspired choice instantly gives fans of the show something to look forward to, and his debut is imminent. All ten episodes of season 2 will drop on July 31, meaning we'll get to see just how strong Needham's performance is, but the early signs certainly look promising. Needham has an impressive track record and experience with great villains, which already indicates he should be right at home playing one of the most iconic antagonists of all time. Assuming he nails the part as expected, Batman: Caped Crusader could set the stage for Matt Reeves' The Batman Part II, which is expected to feature Barry Keoghan's Joker. More importantly though, Needham's role may also show James Gunn's DCU exactly what it's missing out on, since the actor isn't attached to a live-action version of the character. Matthew Needham Is A Perfect Choice To Play The Joker Portraying the Joker is far from easy as there are always huge expectations for the violent criminal — especially given the various great takes on him previously — but Matthew Needham is an excellent choice. Even if he doesn't reach the highs of Heath Ledger or Mark Hamill, there's still plenty of opportunity to really thrive in this challenging role. Controversially, Batman: Caped Crusader has already had pretty unique versions of some classic DC villains. The show has flipped both the Penguin and Mad Hatter's genders, while leaning into Harley Quinn's expert psychiatric skills, and Caped Crusader is even bringing back Roxy Rocket, confirming there's plenty of scope to get creative. With the animated series breaking the status quo, Needham's take on the Joker has the potential to be one of the wildest yet, and he's already proven he's cut out for this heinous part. Currently, he is playing Larys Strong — one of House of the Dragon's main antagonists. The manipulative and ruthless leader of House Strong provides the perfect example of how menacing Needham can be, as despite Larys being vastly different from The Joker, they do share some traits. The Joker has a history of manipulating the likes of Harley Quinn and his various goons, while murdering without remorse, with Larys operating in a similar fashion. Needham also played Mr. Bentley Drummle in 2023's Great Expectations, which highlighted his ability to portray an abusive, authoritative antagonist. These roles only add to the anticipation of hearing him appear in Batman: Caped Crusader, and there's a high chance he will completely steal the show when season 2 premieres. Matthew Needham Would Have Been A Perfect Joker For James Gunn's DCU Although it's still possible for Matthew Needham to play the DCU's Joker, it looks unlikely now that he's lending his voice to Batman's arch nemesis in another project, which feels bittersweet since he would've been great in Gunn's universe. Every project he's been in continues to highlight what a talented actor the Brit is, and such a big stage would've reinforced that. Working with A-list stars and well-known characters could have allowed Needham to really show his range. Many people didn't believe Heath Ledger was a good pick for the Joker when he was first announced and went on to deliver an Oscar-winning performance, suggesting Needham could've surprised everyone if given the opportunity. He has the look, the experience, and being in his early 40s means he could convincingly appear in various projects before aging out of the role. We don't know quite how dark and sinister the DCU's interpretation will be, but based on Needham's current resume, he could dive into this side of the Joker, or keep things more tame if need be. Much like the casting race for the DCU's Batman has been throughout 2026, things will get noisy when it comes to the Joker, indicating that Needham will have much more popular names to contend with. As a result, we might just have to settle for his Caped Crusader depiction, despite how well he could fit into this exciting live-action universe. Seeing his theatrical work translate onto the big screen as the maniacal villain would've been a treat, but while the chances of him appearing in the DCU as the Joker look unrealistic, it provides all the more reason to watch Batman: Caped Crusader season 2 when it arrives. Release Date August 1, 2024 Network Prime Video Showrunner Bruce Timm Cast Hamish Linklater Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice) Krystal Joy Brown Barbara Gordon (voice) Directors Christina Sotta, Christopher Berkeley, Matt Peters Writers Greg Rucka, Bruce Timm, Ed Brubaker, Adamma Ebo, Adanne Ebo, Halley Wegryn Gross, Jase Ricci, Marc Bernardin Franchise(s) Batman Creator(s) Bruce Timm, Bob Kane