Harley Quinn has been a staple in DC Comics staple since she was introduced in Batman: The Animated Series, and this August, she’s finally making her theatrical debut in Suicide Squad, played by Margot Robbie. Because the actress signed a multi-picture contract, it was expected that we would see her again in the DC Extended Universe, like perhaps in Suicide Squad 2 or the solo Batman movie. However, it’s just been reported that a Harley Quinn spinoff movie is in the works, but she won’t be the only major DC character headlining it.
While Harley Quinn will be one of the main stars in this unnamed movie, The Hollywood Reporter states this would not be a solo feature. Rather, it would also focus on other female heroes and villains from DC lore. No names were officially disclosed, but Batgirl and the Birds of Prey were alluded to. There is also already a writer attached to the script, but aside from being a woman, no details about their identity were divulged. In addition to starring, Margot Robbie will also produce the movie, and the report notes that she was the "impetus" for it. After reading about Harley Quinn, she grew to like DC’s other female characters and went to Warner Bros with this mystery writer to pitch it.
Since being added to Batman: The Animated Series as The Joker’s sidekick/main squeeze, Harley Quinn has grown immensely popular in TV, video games and the comics, to the point that she’s even recognizable to some non-comic book fans. Along with being added to the Suicide Squad, the New 52 also saw Harley moving away from Joker’s shadow and becoming a Deadpool-like anti-heroine in her own series. She’ll be one of the main characters in Suicide Squad, and while we don’t know yet how her mission with the other villains goes yet, it was practically guaranteed she would make it out alive. Assuming it gets off the ground, this Harley Quinn project would also be the second female-led movie in the DCEU, following behind Wonder Woman. It’s also possible that it might fill either the Oct. 5, 2018 and Nov. 1, 2019 dates that Warner Bros has reserved for DC movies.
As for these other heroines and villains, this isn’t the first time that another female-led DCEU movie has been reported to be in the works. Last year when it was rumored that Black Canary might show up in Justice League: Part One, it was also mentioned that she might be included in a Birds of Prey movie. It’s possible that this Harley Quinn spinoff is indeed starring the Birds of Prey, and she’ll be the villain that the team has to hunt down, somewhat reminiscent of the short-lived Birds of Prey TV series. Over on the villains side, I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw Poison Ivy, another member of Batman’s rogues gallery and Harley’s best friend. Other possibilities that spring to mind include Catwoman, Cheetah, Killer Frost, Giganta, etc.
You can check out Harley Quinn’s big screen debut when Suicide Squad hits theaters on August 5.
