Margot Robbie talks Birds of Prey rating, Quinn’s “less male gaze-y” outfits

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The 2016 comic book movie SUICIDE SQUAD may have divided critics and audiences, but if one thing was for certain it’s that star Margot Robbie owned the role of the deranged clown criminal Harley Quinn. Her infectious, rebellious charm made her take an instant sensation, and with BIRDS OF PREY she’s taking more charge of the character and giving her a new squad to roll with – one brought to life primarily by women on both sides of the camera

[SEE MORE]

Having that kind of power with the whole creative process has brought out a different approach to the character, and in a new interview with Vogue (via IndieWire) the actress and costume designer Erin Benach mentioned how that has impacted the costume choices for the character. That means getting rid of the tight, small clothes she wore in SQUAD and replacing them with a look that Robbie says is “definitely less male gaze–y.”

“That’s what happens when you have a female producer, director, writer,” said Benach, as she outfitted Robbie in what Vogue writer Irina Aleksander described as “a sequined blazer, sports bra, and orange track shorts.”

[SEE MORE]

We can get a sense of Quinn's new wardrobe from the test footage above, where's mostly rocking the suspenders, sports bra, and the sleeves and pants made of whatever that festive, streamer-style material is. As well, some set photos leaked showing Quinn, a bit down on her luck, walking with a box of her stuff while in a casual shirt and some sparkly, sequin pants. Overall, we can already tell she has a more varied, unique look that brings out her more jubilant, creative side…but also with that tinge of a psychopathic clown. 

At the beginning of the piece, the writer also notes how Robbie pitched BIRDS OF PREY to Warner Bros. as an R-rated, female-led action flick, hinting that Robbie and director Cathy Yan (DEAD PIGS) are still aiming for that adult rating. To that Robbie said, “I think there’s a perception that a PG female-led action film is kind of considered a chick flick.”

Of course, the rating has not been solidified yet, nor will it be for a bit, and our own Paul Shirey noted as much when he confirmed with the studio back in January.

BIRDS OF PREY is in theaters February 17, 2020.