Margot Robbie has finally spoken about whether her fan-favorite version of Harley Quinn will return in James Gunn’s freshly rebooted DC Universe. The actress, who has become synonymous with the chaotic and lovable anti-hero over the past decade, shared her thoughts while promoting her new film.
While her comments leave the door open, Robbie admitted that she hasn’t yet been approached to step back into Harley’s pink-and-blue pigtails. For many DC fans, this is a bittersweet update.
Margot Robbie Would Love To Revisit Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn has been a highlight of the DC Extended Universe, adding both comedic energy and emotional depth to films like ‘Suicide Squad’, ‘Birds of Prey’, and ‘The Suicide Squad’. With James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe beginning to take shape, audiences are wondering if Harley will survive the transition.
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During her interview with SR, Robbie finally addressed the question. “No, I haven’t actually been asked about Harley Quinn yet today! She’d be a fun one to revisit too. She’s so fun to play.” On one hand, Robbie made it clear that she’d love to return. On the other hand, it appears that the studio has not yet made any moves toward bringing Harley back.
Part of the reason Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn has such a strong hold on fans is the way she redefined the character for modern audiences. From her breakout in ‘Suicide Squad’ to her bold lead performance in ‘Birds of Prey’, Robbie made Harley both unpredictable and endearing. The DCU’s future, however, is intentionally different from the DCEU.
James Gunn and Peter Safran’s approach is to soft-reboot the franchise, picking and choosing which characters and actors carry over. So far, continuity has mostly been maintained in ‘Peacemaker’ and its spin-offs. Meanwhile, central figures like Superman, Lois Lane, and Perry White have already been recast. This puts Harley Quinn in a unique position. She has a natural connection to ‘The Suicide Squad’ and ‘Peacemaker’, making her characters seamlessly transition into Gunn’s continuity.
James Gunn On Recasting And Building A Sustainable DCU
While Robbie’s comments fuel speculation, James Gunn has also made headlines for clarifying how the DCU will handle recasting. The MCU’s long timeline has led to several high-profile recasts, with the most dramatic being Jonathan Majors’ departure as Kang. Gunn responded to a question on Threads about how the DCU would handle similar situations.
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“If an actor can’t continue a role I’ll change the actor no problem,” he stated. This approach signals that the DCU will prioritize story continuity over actor continuity. In other words, if Robbie were unavailable or if Gunn wanted to take Harley in a new direction, he wouldn’t hesitate to recast. At the same time, his openness leaves room for Robbie to return. This can be especially possible as she has expressed a willingness to reprise the role.
The balance Gunn is striking here is crucial. He is laying the foundation for a universe designed to last over a decade. This means character consistency will matter more than individual casting hiccups. However, Gunn is also aware of the value of fan-favorite portrayals. Just as Marvel kept Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man for over a decade, the DCU could benefit from retaining iconic actors like Robbie in roles that audiences already adore.
