The DC Universe is in a state of flux, and one of its most beloved characters, Harley Quinn, is at the center of a new question: will Margot Robbie reprise her role? In a recent podcast, DC Studios co-head James Gunn addressed the possibility, offering a tantalizing hint for fans.
Robbie first brought Harley Quinn to life in 2016's Suicide Squad, where she was introduced as the Joker's chaotic accomplice. She returned in Birds of Prey (2020) and again in Gunn's own The Suicide Squad (2021). Since then, the character has been absent from the big screen, leaving fans wondering if her story is over.
During a special podcast episode titled The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?, Gunn discussed the film's place in the new DCU. He noted that several characters from that movie, like Peacemaker and Amanda Waller, have already crossed over into new projects. But Harley Quinn hasn't appeared yet, and Gunn explained why.
"Harley is a character I'm almost certainly going to use in the DCU," Gunn said. "And if Margot wants to play her, then I'll bend over backwards to explain that in the world. But if she doesn't, then I might go with somebody else, where I don't have to be attached to what happens to Harley in this movie."
Gunn's comments suggest that Robbie's return is far from guaranteed. He pointed out that Harley's story is deeply tied to the Joker, a character who hasn't been introduced in the new DCU yet. When the Joker does appear, he might be radically different from the version seen in Suicide Squad, which could complicate Robbie's involvement.
For now, fans can only speculate. But Gunn's willingness to work around Robbie's schedule or recast the role shows that Harley Quinn remains a priority for the DCU. The character's popularity has only grown since her debut, and her solo adventures in comics and animation have proven she can thrive without the Joker.
Meanwhile, the DCU is moving forward with new projects. Clayface, a standalone body-horror film about the classic Batman villain, just hit theaters. Next summer, Man of Tomorrow will introduce a new Superman, played by David Corenswet, facing off against Brainiac. And a mockumentary series, The People v. Gorilla Grodd, is in the works, featuring Jimmy Olsen and the telepathic gorilla.
As for Robbie, she's been busy with other projects, including her post-apocalyptic thriller Z for Zachariah, which is now streaming free on Tubi. Whether she'll return to Gotham's chaos remains to be seen, but Gunn's comments keep the door wide open.
Stay tuned for more updates on the DCU and Harley Quinn's future.
