"Batman 3" Scoop: the Joker Will Not Return

Die-hard comic book fans and purists can rest easy tonight. Christopher Nolan, the director of the last two Batman films, has revealed to Empire Magazine (via Super Hero Hype) that the Joker will not be making an appearance in the upcoming third film.

"No," he said when asked if he would like the Joker to reappear. When asked to explain his reasons, Nolan refused: "I just don't feel comfortable about it."

Fans, undoubtedly, would be uncomfortable with it as well. The Joker, the most iconic of all of Batman's villains, was played by Jack Nicholson in the original Batman film. Critics and audiences subsequently gushed over Nicholson's performance, earning him a Golden Globe nomination for the film. With Nolan rebooting the franchise a decade later, fans were immediately hesitant in allowing another actor to fill the Joker's shoes. Luckily for them, Heath Ledger stepped in to play the character in Dark Knight, the second film in Nolan's reboot of the Batman saga. Fans approached the film and the casting choice with restrained optimism before the film's release. Tragedy struck, however, when Ledger passed away from an accidental drug overdose in New York City. The film opened to rave reviews, earning The Dark Knight an 82 percent positive rating on Metacritic, with most of the critical praise centered on Ledger's performance. Subsequently, Ledger went on to win numerous posthumous awards, including a People's Choice Award, a Golden Globe, and an Academy Award for his performance.

Despite the positive response, fans of Ledger and the character became immediately wary after viewing The Dark Knight (SPOILER ALERT: At the end of film the Joker survives and is captured by Batman, leaving open the possibility of the character appearing in future sequels). With Ledger's untimely passing and the Joker's storyline left open-ended, the character would have to be recast if it would appear in Batman 3.

Until recently, Nolan had continued to remain mum on what villains would appear in the third film. Internet rumors have listed every possible Batman villain candidate from Catwoman to the Riddler to Clayface as possibilities. Cillian Murphy appeared also likely to reprise his role as the Scarecrow, the only other villain to survive both films.

Despite concrete details involving the third Batman film being shrouded in mystery (and production on the film not scheduled to begin for at least another year or two),fans can now rest assured that the Joker will not undergo a third incarnation. Ledger's award-winning performance will linger in audiences' minds as the last Joker....at least until another reboot.