With the first full-length trailer for Zack Snyder's Justice League out, fans were thrilled to see the new footage that wasn't in Joss Whedon's version. Darkseid's intimidating figure, Flash saving Iris West, Cyborg using more weaponry and Superman in his black suit stood out, whetting the appetite for the March release.
However, one big cut comes at the end when Jared Leto's new-look Joker interacts with Ben Affleck's Batman. And we've conjured up a theory as to why Joker might actually be partnering with the Dark Knight this time around.
In the Knightmare sequence, the Bat walks up behind Joker who's wearing a S.W.A.T. vest. There's no animosity as the Clown Prince of Crime tells the vigilante, "We live in a society where honor is a distant memory. Isn't that right, Batman?" If the Bat wanted to take him down, he could have. But as Bruce turns away, it's clear Joker's an ally he's reluctantly taking on.
But in this dystopian reality, the "why" is very important, and in this case, it may have to do with Harley Quinn. Here, Darkseid purged the planet and had Superman as his general, so it stands to reason with that the Parademons could have razed everyone, not caring if it was vigilante or villain in the revolution. Seeing as the Man of Steel lost Lois and his humanity, Harley could easily become collateral damage, breaking Joker.
This may well be what encourages him to turn a new leaf. Given that Bruce is desperate for any and all soldiers, even the man who killed his Robin and possibly knows his identity, the Joker can join the fight. The clown would have good reason to want to take out Apokolips' forces if this is the case, so ultimately, the Caped Crusader will be getting a motivated and bloodthirsty foot-soldier in a cruel, unforgiving world where even Bruce has to use guns.
Once the field is thin, Bruce will need all hands on deck in his army, and this could also benefit Joker, as he might just want to take the world back so he can resume his quest to be top dog again. After all, he's a selfish person, and this Synder-Verse had him treating Harley like a pet, so a move like this would help him avenge the person he objectified and toyed with. Joker is a spoiled brat, so it'd fit his character, not to mention it'd sync up with DC comics like Batman: White Knight, where the clown wanted to reboot society. So, if he can help Batman's resistance overcome their alien invaders in the Snyder Cut, this may be his chance to restart civilization and fix things from ground zero.
Joker has always been into anarchy with a purpose, so once he can out the hellfire, the Earth will be his chaotic playground once more. He can either continue the feud with the Bat or maybe let Earth restart as it's been punished long enough. In other words, Joker will be partnering with Batman as the world has been course-corrected, and now needs to live in order to realize the potential he had in mind.
Zack Snyder's Justice League stars Ben Affleck as Batman, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, Henry Cavill as Superman, Amy Adams as Lois Lane, Jason Momoa as Aquaman, Ezra Miller as The Flash, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth, Diane Lane as Martha Kent, Ray Porter as Darkseid, Ciarán Hinds as Steppenwolf, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor and J.K. Simmons as Commissioner Gordon. The film arrives on HBO Max March 18.