James Gunn says Harley Quinn will be part of the DC Universe, but whether it’s Margot Robbie’s version is still open. Speaking on a special podcast, the DC Studios co-head said the choice effectively rests with the actor. IGN reports that Gunn made the comments on The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?
Robbie played Harley in 2016’s Suicide Squad, 2020’s Birds of Prey and Gunn’s own The Suicide Squad. Gunn has since rebooted the franchise as the DCU, and Harley hasn’t appeared in it. It’s a live question because some characters from his film, Peacemaker chief among them, have carried over while others haven’t.
On the podcast, Gunn called Harley “one of the more difficult things” to justify as canon. His reasoning is the Joker: Harley’s history is tied to him, and the DCU hasn’t established him. Gunn said the DCU has shown that Batman exists, including a glimpse in Creature Commandos, but that it doesn’t yet know whether the Joker does.
Gunn was warm about Robbie but didn’t sound sure she’d return. He said she’s “one of my favorite actors to work with” and that he doesn’t know if she wants to play Harley again, adding that she “may be over that.” He also noted she has become “kind of the biggest female star in the world” since the film, and that he doesn’t know where her head is on the subject.
Even so, he’s clear that Harley is coming. “Harley is a character I’m almost certainly going to use in the DCU,” Gunn said. If Robbie wants the role, he’ll “bend over backwards” to explain it in the DCU. If not, he may “go with somebody else” so he doesn’t have to stay tied to what happens to Harley in The Suicide Squad. His summary: Robbie decides whether the film is canon.
That fits the wider answer from the episode. Gizmodo reports that Gunn called The Suicide Squad canon and “decided,” with one asterisk: Harley’s future. Deadline also covered the Robbie comments, noting that co-host Jennifer Holland raised how much Robbie’s stardom has grown. The podcast also features Peacemaker stars Steve Agee and Holland.
IGN adds that Gunn confirmed DC Studios is getting ready to cast the DCU’s Batman. The outlet speculates this may be linked to Harley, though Gunn didn’t say so in the quoted remarks. IGN says the next DCU release is 2027’s Man of Tomorrow, the follow-up to Superman.
For now there’s no casting news and no timeline for Harley. Robbie hasn’t responded publicly to Gunn’s comments in the coverage we’ve seen. IGN notes that she has since played Catherine Earnshaw in Wuthering Heights and is set to star in an Ocean’s Eleven prequel.
Is Margot Robbie confirmed to play Harley Quinn in the DCU?
No. Gunn said he doesn’t know whether she wants to play the character again and that she “may be over that.” He’d explain her version in the DCU if she wants back in.
Will Harley Quinn appear in the DCU at all?
Gunn says he’s “almost certainly” going to use her. He said he may cast someone else if Robbie passes, but no timing has been announced.
Is The Suicide Squad canon in the DCU?
According to Gizmodo, Gunn said the film is canon, with Harley Quinn’s future as the one asterisk.
