James Gunn Addresses Future of Harley Quinn in the DC Universe
While the director confirms his 2021 film is canon, the return of Margot Robbie to the iconic role remains uncertain.
DC Universe head James Gunn has officially clarified the status of his 2021 film, The Suicide Squad, within the franchise's new continuity. During a recent appearance on the official podcast dedicated to the film, Gunn confirmed that the movie is considered canon to the rebooted DC Universe, though he noted that the future of one specific character, Harley Quinn, remains an open question.
Gunn, who directed the 2021 installment, hosted the podcast alongside actors Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee. The group discussed the complexities of the transition from the previous DCEU to the current DCU, ultimately deciding that the vast majority of the film fits into the new narrative framework. However, Gunn acknowledged that he requires some flexibility from fans regarding the path forward for Harley Quinn.
Margot Robbie first portrayed the character in 2016's Suicide Squad, later reprising the role in 2020's Birds of Prey and Gunn's 2021 sequel. Her performance established the character as a cornerstone of the franchise, but Gunn expressed doubt about whether the actress intends to return to the role in future projects.
Reflecting on Robbie's career trajectory, Gunn noted that she has become one of the most prominent stars in the film industry. Following her work in the DC franchise, Robbie achieved massive success with the 2021 blockbuster Barbie and has since taken on various high-profile projects, including a role in Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights and an upcoming part in Tim Burton's Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman.
Regarding the possibility of a return, Gunn stated, "She’s just so crazy. I love her as Harley. I don’t know if she wants to play Harley again. She may be over that." The director emphasized that he would be willing to make significant efforts to include her if she were interested, but he remains uncertain about her current professional priorities.
The discussion regarding the canon status of The Suicide Squad comes as part of a broader effort by Gunn to provide clarity to fans. As the DC Universe undergoes a major restructuring, questions have persisted about which elements of previous films carry over. Gunn has previously described the 2021 film as an "imperfect memory," suggesting that while it is part of the established history, the narrative may be viewed through an unreliable lens.
While the status of Harley Quinn remains unresolved, the confirmation that the rest of the film is canon provides a clearer roadmap for the future of the DC Universe. Fans continue to speculate on how these characters will integrate into upcoming projects, though the studio has yet to make a formal announcement regarding the next appearance of the fan-favorite anti-hero.