It’s been a while since we last saw Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, but early next year, she’s back. Only this time, rather than hang out with the Suicide Squad (don’t worry, she’ll be doing that again), she’s teaming up with Huntress, Black Canary and Detective Renee Montoya to protect a young Cassandra Cain from Black Mask in Birds of Prey.
Thus far, we’ve been treated to a beginning-of-principal-photography teaser video and a theatrical-only preview, but today, with just four months until the movie drops, the first official Birds of Prey trailer finally dropped, and it is wild! Check it out!
The trailer opens with narration provided by Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, which shouldn't come as a major surprise. She's the only character in Cathy Yan's blockbuster that's already been established, and Birds of Prey's subtitle highlights just how important Harley will be to the overall story. The Fantabulous Emancipation of Harley Quinn is attached to the title for a reason, and this first trailer is almost wholly focused on the femme fatale.
We learn that Harley and Jared Leto's Joker broke up, which will likely happen off camera since the Oscar winning actor isn't attached to the movie. Of course, it also seems possible that Cathy Yan will surprise audiences with a brief cameo, establishing that Leto's Mr. J is still involved in the franchise's current timeline. After all, Ben Affleck's departure from Batman put all that into question.
Shortly after moving out Joker's place and cutting her signature pink and blue hair, Harley will end up getting involved in a conflict with Ewan McGregor's villainous Black Mask. It's hinted this might happen accidentally, as Harley is confused by seeing men chase she and Cassandra Cain around. Black Mask is shown saying that "she's mine" but it's unclear if he's talking about Cassandra, Harley, or possibly both.
Related: Birds Of Prey: Margot Robbie Wanted To Give Harley Friends
It looks like Harley is going to have a particularly amusing relationship with Cassandra, although the Birds of Prey trailer shows her bantering with other characters as well. The whole thing opens on a conversation with Jurnee Smollett-Bell's Black Canary, who is a singer performing in Black Mask's club. Canary's signature metahuman ability wasn't shown in this first trailer, but it's certainly possible that Cathy Yan is waiting until the movie is closer to its release.
Since so much of Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)'s trailer is focused on Margot Robbie's signature villain, the rest of the killer cast wasn't given nearly as much screen time-- including Black Canary. We see a few brief shots of Mary Elizabeth Winstead's crossbow-wielding Huntress, who is wearing a much more realistic and simple costume than her comic book appearance. I'm eager to see if Huntress is a member of the Bat-family in this iteration, as Batman is a mentor and colleague on the page.
Overall, the tone of Birds of Prey seems unique to the comic book genre, as it's mixing realism with an untrustworthy narrator. Harley's perspective on Gotham City looks like it's going to create some fantasy sequences, possibly a musical number. There is on shot of Harley dressed up as Marilyn Monroe, so clearly Cathy Yan is doing some genre-bending. That might be exactly what the movie needs to stand out, and bring in audiences.
Birds of Prey opens in theaters on February 7, 2020, so keep checking back with CinemaBlend for continuing coverage. Don’t forget to also learn what other DC movies are in development with our handy guide.
