Why is he not called Joker in Gotham?
Gotham showrunners were expressly barred from naming any characters as "The Joker" by the higher-ups at Warner Bros. As series star Cameron Monaghan revealed, this restrictive decree came directly from the top levels of the studio. But why would WB limit the show‘s use of arguably Batman‘s most iconic nemesis?
Preserving the Crown Jewel for Cinematic Use
Evidence suggests that Warner Bros wanted to retain exclusive use of the Joker persona for their DC films exploring the Clown Prince of Crime, most notably 2016‘s Suicide Squad with Jared Leto and 2019‘s Joker starring Joaquin Phoenix. WB CEO Kevin Tsujihara himself reportedly insisted that the Joker be "off-limits" to TV – a strategy to elevate his value as a marquee screen villain.
Fans speculate that WB wanted to avoid over-exposure of the character on the small screen dampening his impact in theaters. This theory holds weight considering Gotham ran contemporaneous to high-budget movies spotlighting the Joker‘s origins. By preventing TV dilution, WB likely sought to maximize profits from what they deemed their prime adaptation medium.
Pushing Creative Boundaries
While initially limiting, Warner‘s restrictions pushed Gotham‘s writers to soar to new creative heights. Unable to directly utilize the Joker IP, they crafted their own colorful maniacs in Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska – twin brothers who each embodied an aspect of the iconic Batman baddie.
| Character | Parallels to the Joker |
|---|---|
| Jerome Valeska | Unhinged insanity, sinister showmanship, chaotic violence |
| Jeremiah Valeska | Methodical intelligence, Machiavellian scheming, obsessive vendetta against Bruce Wayne |
The below graph charts keyword mentions for "Joker" and "Jerome/Jeremiah" on Gotham Reddit and forums over the show‘s run. Interest peaked during major Valeska storylines, proving that audiences embraced Gotham‘s own diabolical proxies for the Clown Prince himself.
A Passionate Gamer‘s Perspective
As someone enthralled by compelling villains, I loved how Gotham remained faithful to the Joker‘s essence through the twisted Valeska brothers. Jerome maintained his thrilling flair of the theatrical showman, while Jeremiah captured the psychopathic genius. The twins staying shrouded in mystery also kept fans guessing as to which would be the "definitive" Joker – adding intrigue that paid narrative dividends.
The writers ingeniously built upon Batman mythology rather than merely replicating it. Gotham carved its own niche by creatively adhering to WB‘s restrictions, beyond expectations. Its fresh reimagining of the Clown Prince proved a ratings juggernaut and won acclaim from passionate gamers like myself!
The Last Laugh
So did Warner Bros‘ prohibitive policies pay off in preserving the Joker‘s cinematic glory? Financial results are mixed – while 2018‘s Joker scored over $1 billion globally, Suicide Squad fared relatively poorer. Perhaps allowing TV exploration may have sustained interest between movie releases.
Nonetheless, restricting Gotham unintentionally birthed a uniquely compelling incarnation in the Valeska twins – now etched in Batman lore. So while Warner executives upheld their vision, Gotham certainly had the last laugh providing an iconic reinterpretation against the odds! The show‘s culmination even leaves the door open for Jerome and Jeremiah to haunt Batman on the big screen one day…
