Now, your favourite character is back, joined by a killer, all-female squad for the new DC Extended Universe film, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). As we prepare for the film's release, we’ve pulled together everything you need to know, from plot lines to confirmed characters and all the fan theories to get you thinking!
1/ There's more to the title than you think...
Birds of Prey was confirmed to fans and followers on Margot Robbie’s Instagram late last year. Filming began on January 14, 2019 in Los Angeles, with the expected release date scheduled as February 7, 2020. The project has been given the most fitting working title to compliment: ‘Fox Force Five’, which fans have discovered is a reference to Pulp Fiction and which is the name of a pilot episode in the film that was meant to star character Mia Wallace (Uma Thurman). The series focused on an all-female team of secret agents that each possessed a specialty that made them unique. A possible nod to the Birds Of Prey plotline?
2/ The plot is completely different from Suicide Squad
Although Warner Bros. hasn’t released an official synopsis for the film just yet, a rumoured synopsis has been circulating the Internet and is gaining a lot of traction in the DC comic community. According to the Discussing Film website, Harley will join heroines Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to help save a young Cassandra Cain (a character who has previously assumed the role of Batgirl in the Batman comics).
Often overshadowed in previous comics and films by the Joker, Birds of Prey writer Christina Hodson revealed in an interview with Variety that she is “excited to see Harley stand on her own and be her own thing”, confirming for all us fans that the film has a definite focus on strong female characters and empowerment.
3/ Cathy Yan is the first Asian-American woman to direct a comic book movie
A win for women all over the world, accompanying the star-studded cast is an equally impressive and ground breaking creative team and crew for the movie. Director Cathy Yan is the first Asian-American woman to helm a comic book movie. Likewise, writer Christina Hodson, who also wrote the script for Bumblebee, has been given the opportunity by Warner Bros. to not only write Birds of Prey, but additionally the rumoured Batgirl film that is still being held under tight wraps.
4/ All the characters you need to know about
In a short teaser that was released only a couple of days ago, we have been blessed with a glimpse of our five major characters in the film and their incredible costumes (Harley Quinn we are looking at you again). Keep scrolling for a breakdown of each character and the actors who are set to play them.
Harley Quinn
Played again by Margot Robbie, will Birds of Prey show a different side to the previously villainous character as she joins forces with Gotham City’s most noteworthy heroines?
Huntress
Mary Elizabeth Winstead is confirmed to play the role of Huntress, also known as Helena Bertinelli who is the daughter of one of the cities powerful crime bosses. One of the three founding members of the Birds of Prey squad in the comics, Helena’s exposure to violence at such a young age has left her with a pretty large chip on her shoulder.
Renee Montoya
Rosie Perez plays one of the few honest members of the Gotham police force, detective Renee Montoya, who is often partnered in the comics with Harvey Bullock. Her character is also one of the DC universe’s most prominent gay characters.
Black Canary
Laurel Lance, (played by Jurnee Smollett-Bell), has followed in her mother’s footsteps as the second woman to take on the role of Black Canary. Her martial arts skills bolstered by her sonic scream make her a force to be reckoned with.
Cassandra Cain
In the comics, Cassandra Cain, who is being played by Ella Jay Basco in Birds of Prey, is the daughter of assassin David Chan and DC universe martial artists, Lady Shiva. Deprived of human contact and speech as a child, she has learnt how to “read” the movements and body language of her opponents- a skill that keeps her one step ahead in every situation.
