The Joker was mentioned in the novelization of The Dark Knight Rises, giving the character a fittingly ambiguous resolution.
The character survived the events of The Dark Knight, leaving the possibility for a return in a sequel.
Out of respect to the late thespian, director Christopher Nolan opted to make no mention of the Joker in trilogy finale The Dark Knight Rises.
Heath Ledger was looking forward to playing the Joker in another Batman movie following his performance in The Dark Knight. The actor’s casting as the Crown Prince of Crime was widely criticized at the time it happened, but he ultimately went down as one of the greatest cinematic antagonists of all-time.