According to co-CEO of DC Studios James Gunn,Margot Robbieis stillDC’s Harley Quinnas long as she wants the role. It’s the kind of job security any actress would want in this current climate, but Robbie, who was already a star when she first took on the role, has only seen her fame rise further in the wake ofBarbie. It’s a character she has given her all to and even though it could be tempting to step into Harley’s crazy shoes again, it would be a smarter decision to leave her be and let another actress try their hand at bringing the character to life.
Gunn’s comments didn’t necessarily guarantee total job security for Robbie in the role, but he didn’t say he wanted her to be completely done either. Recently,Gunn spoke on the matterby saying, “I haven’t talked to Margot about Harley for a long time. But I’d love to work with her again as Harley or as someone else. There are no plans at this time for anyone else to play Harley (I mean, other than in Todd’s movie or the animated shows.)”
The movie he is referring to isTodd Phillips’sJoker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to his billion-dollar-grossingJokerfilm which will see Lady Gaga taking on the role of Harley Quinn. As far as the animated footprint, Kaley Cuoco currently voices the character in Max’sHarley Quinn, which is heading into its fifth season. Needless to say, a few people have brought Harley Quinn to life, although Robbie was the first person of significance to give her the live-action treatment, and has already left her mark, and then some.
Margot Robbie Has Already Proven Herself as Harley Quinn
Robbie became the first person to portray the DC villain in live-action form when she signed on for David Ayer’sSuicide Squad, released in 2016. Even though she admitted to having never read the comics, Robbie considered it a huge responsibility to satisfy the fans and do the character justice. She prepared for the part for six months before shooting began, making it clear how dedicated she was to getting the character absolutely right.
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Unfortunately,Suicide Squadhad problems that were outside of Robbie’s control. Reported studio interference and creative differences played a huge role in what the film ultimately morphed into, and the final product was met with dismal reviews, although Robbie was considered the film’s prime asset, even in reviews that ripped the movie apart. Despite the negative reception,Suicide Squadstill became a hit, grossing $745.8 million at the global box office, all while cementing Robbie as the live-action Harley Quinn that fans deserved.
After receiving Oscar nominations forI, TonyaandBombshell, Robbie kicked off the new decade by playing Harley Quinn inCathy Yan’sBirds of Prey. Robbie made it her purpose to make a female ensemble action film and this is what she pitched to Warner Bros. This wasn’t all done on a whim. After doingSuicide Squad, the actress spent three years developing the project under her production company banner with the intent of hiring a female director and screenwriter.
When released,Birds of Preyreceived some of the best reviews of the DCEU releases and Robbie was once again praised, especially for how she developed the character even further following her appearance inSuicide Squad. Sadly, audiences didn’t respond enough, and the film stalled with a gross of just $84.2 million domestically and $205.4 million worldwide, falling short of breaking even. It should be noted that the film opened about a month before the pandemic shuttered theaters worldwide in 2020, so this could’ve played a factor in its performance.
Robbie marked her third outing as Harley Quinn in Gunn’sThe Suicide Squad, which served as a standalone sequel to the 2016 film. The project was free of the creative differences that hampered Ayer’s film, and it seemed to be more in line with what fans were expecting. The audience was suitably pleased with the outcome of the film and Robbie once again received praise for her take on the role, expanding and evolving the character from what they previously saw inBirds of Preyand the firstSuicide Squadfilm.
Unfortunately,The Suicide Squadhad to deal with forces outside its control. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film was released simultaneously in theaters and on the HBO Max streaming service. Despite positive reviews and becoming the most-streamed DCEU film on HBO Max, the movie bombed financially after grossing $169 million worldwide against a budget of $185 million.
AfterThe Suicide Squad, Robbie’s status in the role became uncertain. Robbie had a lot of ideas she wanted to explore, including an adventure and love story with Poison Ivy, but the DCEU’s fragile position also put things in flux. When it was finally announced that the DCEU, as we knew it, would be disbanded for Gunn’s DCU, Robbie’s place as Harley was once again questioned, but maybe this provides the out that the actress needed to leave the character behind.
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There is no doubt that Robbie has done everything she can for the character of Harley Quinn. From portraying her with care and dedication every time — even in projects that were, themselves, lackluster — to using her powers as a producer to get Harley the movie that she deserved. However, her talent should be spent on projects that continue to challenge her, and there simply may not be anything left for her to explore in the DC Universe.
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Even Robbie herself sounds like she’s ready to move on from the role, even though she loves playing her. When asked recently about Lady Gaga playing Harley Quinn in the aforementionedJoker: Folie à Deux, Robbie had this to say:
“I always wanted Harley to be a character that would get passed on to other actresses to play, the way there are so many iconic male characters. That was always the dream for her. Harley’s so fun and can go in so many different directions. You put her in someone else’s hands, and it’s like, ‘What are they going to do with her?’ The options are endless.” (via Variety)
Robbie is currently riding the huge pink wave that isBarbie, a film that became the highest-grossing film of 2023 and Warner Bros.' history with a worldwide gross of $1.4 billion. In addition to this, the movie is also an awards season player, likely cementing its star with another Best Actress Oscar nomination. Robbie was hugely responsible for spearheading this project, convincing Warner Bros. that it could be a blockbuster. WithBarbie, Robbie made power moves that women don’t often get to make in Hollywood, and she once again proved herself to be amajor player in this industry. She continues to set up the next big stage of her career.
This is not to say that this means she is above the role of Harley Quinn. Robbie herself wouldn’t even tell you that. It seems as if she would take on the character again if it felt right. As a career choice, the reason to leave Harley behind comes down to evolution. Much like Harley evolved with Robbie in the role across three films, it’s time for the actress to continue her evolution to what comes next. Remembering Harley fondly, knowing she gave it her all, and wishing the best to the next actress who will continue Harley’s evolution.
