James Gunn Says Margot Robbie May Be Done With Harley Quinn
The DCU head suggests the actress might move on from the role, though he hopes to keep her involved.
By Andrew Yang ·
James Gunn has stated that Margot Robbie may have finished her run as Harley Quinn, though he intends to do everything in his power to keep her in the new DC Universe. Gunn made the comments while discussing the continuity of his 2021 film The Suicide Squad. He acknowledged that the character’s future is the main uncertainty in an otherwise solidified storyline.
During a recent episode of The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? The Official Podcast, Gunn joined Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee. Both actors appeared in The Suicide Squad. The group examined which elements of the pre-reboot film carry over into the new cinematic universe. They reviewed specific plot points and the status of various characters. Gunn confirmed that the majority of the 2021 movie is now considered official canon.
“That settles it then. I think that ‘The Suicide Squad’ is within the canon of the DCU. It’s decided,” Gunn said. He noted one exception regarding the character of Harley Quinn. Gunn asked fans for patience on this specific issue. “I’d say, we have one small asterisk, which is what exactly is the future of Harley Quinn? I want to be given a little leeway with this by the fans because I’m not sure exactly how that’s going to manifest itself. But other than that, I think that we can pretty much say the entire movie is canon. I don’t think there’s a problem,” he added.
Gunn explained that Robbie has become a major global star since her first appearance in the role. She debuted as the first live-action Harley Quinn in David Ayers’ Suicide Squad in 2016. She returned for Birds of Prey in 2020 and then starred in Gunn’s 2021 sequel. Her success in other projects has changed the dynamic of her availability.
“She’s just so crazy. I love her as Harley. I don’t know if she wants to play Harley again. She may be over that,” Gunn said. The director recognized the challenge of recasting such a beloved role. He indicated that he would “bend over backwards” to include her if she were willing to return. The decision likely hinges on Robbie’s personal interest and her upcoming filming schedule.
Robbie has maintained a high profile in the industry. She starred in Barbie and also appeared in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. Her next project is Tim Burton’s Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman. These commitments suggest her calendar is currently full. Gunn left the door open for her return but did not promise a specific timeline for her next appearance as the anti-hero.
