Arthur Fleck and Batman belong in different universes, but Todd Phillips thinks the iconic villain would be "in awe" of the Caped Crusader.

And now we know. Looks like rather than trying to make Batman smile or fight him in the streets of Gotham, Arthur would end up being amazed by the beloved DC hero. This might be surprising for hardcore fans of the comics, but the character is a new creation that isn't operating by the same rules as Mr. J.

"I think Arthur always had a fascination with men at ease, and he is not a man at ease. Murray Franklin in the first movie was a man at ease," Phillips continued. "He probably saw the guys he worked with as men at ease, and that was the one thing that Arthur could never be was a man at ease."

Joker: Folie Deux helmer Todd Phillips shares what led to him making the upcoming DC sequel with lead star Joaquin Phoenix.

Todd Phillips thinks that Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker would be a fan of Batman. Joker: Folie á Deux releases in United States theaters this coming October. The upcoming sequel is directed by Phillips and will see Phoenix reprise his role as the titular Joker.