Although Margot Robbie quickly "fell in love" with playing Harley Quinn in SUICIDE SQUAD, she couldn't understand why the character would stay in a relationship with the Joker (Jared Leto), so the upcoming BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN) will find Quinn having split with the Clown Prince of Crime; In fact, Robbie told Variety that you shouldn't expect Jared Leto's Joker to appear in the film at all, not even for a cameo.
Margot Robbie also added her two cents to the recent JOKER movie, saying that she thought Joaquin Phoenix "did a phenomenal job," but that BIRDS OF PREY won't be at all similar to the Todd Phillips film. "I feel like the Joker film was much more grounded," Robbie said. "Ours is different. It's heightened." In order to better understand Harley, and why she would stay with a man who "wants to kill her most of the time," Robbie did a lot of research, reading Sam Shepard's "Fools for Love," a play about a destructive relationship, listening to TED Talks by women with schizophrenia who were also accomplished professionals, and, of course, reading a lot of DC Comics. "Harley has this unpredictable nature that means she could react in any way to any situation, which as an actor is just a gift," Robbie said. BIRDS OF PREY screenwriter Christina Hodson said that Robbie "really wanted to see Harley with girlfriends, Harley in a girl gang. Harley is such a naturally sociable character. And I think there was just a general longing to see girls together on screen — women being friends."
Were you hoping to see Jared Leto return as the Joker again? Or is it time for a new Joker in the DCEU?
The official synopsis for BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN):
You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
BIRDS OF PREY (AND THE FANTABULOUS EMANCIPATION OF ONE HARLEY QUINN) is slated for a February 7, 2020 release.