If Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) proved anything, it's that Harley Quinn's DCEU future is bright, even without Batman or Joker. In a franchise long plagued with troubles, Margot Robbie's Harleen Quinzel has been a highlight. Her most recent film put her front and center, and she has now had plenty of time to develop as an individual. Harley's DCEU exploits are about to get much more exciting, and she's doing it all on her own.
2016's Jared Leto's maligned version of Joker. While the film as a whole wasn't well received by critics, Robbie's Quinn mostly was, despite being somewhat held back by the movie's failings. Fan for the character swelled, resulting in her return to the franchise in Birds of Prey, where she would see much more character development.
Birds of Prey gave Harley Quinn something of a soft reboot. The team-up film debuted a host of new DC heroines while introducing a new and improved Harley Quinn. She is away from Mr. J and has struck out on her own, dressing differently and carrying about her a whole new attitude. At her core she is still Harley Quinn, but she is not as one-dimensional as in Suicide Squad. The film gave fans a taste of her untapped potential, and her story in the DCEU is far from over. Without Batman or Joker, one would assume she's doomed, but Harley Quinn has proven that could not be further from the case.
Harley Quinn's DC Movie Future After Birds of Prey
The end of Birds of Prey leaves sequels on the table. After Cassandra Cain was rescued from Roman Sionis, she and Harley prepare to run their own contract killing business. The story of the film ends, but it left things open-ended for future adventures. Birds of Prey has reinvigorated Quinn in the DCEU after Suicide Squad. The question following is where will she find herself in the DC franchise next?
After 2021's Birds of Prey set up a Harley solo movie perfectly, so it could only be a matter of time.
Why Jared Leto's Joker Has Been Successfully Sidelined
After a rather tough go, Joker left Leto feeling "alienated and upset". This has led to Leto's departure, but may turn out to be a blessing in disguise for his former lover.
Birds of Prey mentioned Harley's past life, specifically her time with Joker. Their breakup acted as the crux for most of the plot, but the film never showed any more of the Clown Prince of Crime than it needed to. His face was hardly ever shown on screen, and Leto didn't play the character. Whether the Joker is recast or not in the DCEU's future is a moot point right now. Harley doesn't need him to be a success, as she has already proven. Suffice to say, Jared Leto's version of the character is sidelined indefinitely.
Harley Quinn Returns In The Suicide Squad
Next year, James Gunn's The Suicide Squad hits theaters. The cast of Suicide Squad 2 is enormous, while the story is unknown as of this writing. One of the few things known is that Margot Robbie will reprise her role as Harley Quinn; this time sporting a new, more comic-accurate look, complete with the red and black color scheme she is best known for. The initial casting announcement and leaked set photos have confirmed this.
Gunn's The Suicide Squad will take place after Birds of Prey. With this being the case, it is tasked with setting up Harley's DCEU future. Depending on the part she will play in the story, it could have wider implications on her new life. Without being stuck to the Joker this time around, her character should have Wesmuch more creative freedom. Her motives and aspirations will play into her arc. Birds of Prey took advantage of this and surely The Suicide Squad will too. So far this is her last confirmed appearance in the DCEU, but it could very well set the tone for where she will go next.
The Batman Exists In A Different Universe (For Now)
Aside from Joker, another notable Gotham resident is missing from the equation. The Batman is set in a different world, and Robert Pattinson's incarnation will not cross paths with Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn. At least for the time being.
The DCEU's Batman was conspicuous by his absence in Birds of Prey, something audiences found baffling. The Batman was what kept her and other super-criminals in line (although his absence is what allowed the film to even take place). From a storytelling standpoint, this could be used as a positive. Without Batman in the universe, Harley will be less limited. The formula of her being tracked down by the Caped Crusader would get stale, and now her story could go in really any direction. Maybe someday he'll return to the DCEU, but for now, Harley doesn't have to worry about "Bats".
Harley Quinn is now one of the tentpole figures of the DCEU. Her popularity is ever-expanding, and Birds of Prey did wonders for her on-screen characterization, regardless as to how it performed critically or financially. Joker and Batman are out of the picture, leaving her to take the reins. The Suicide Squad should look to keep her momentum going, and if done correctly, she could easily springboard into any number of DCEU projects.
