Margot Robbie Finally Addresses the Harley Quinn Rumors | HO 

Margot Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn has been nothing short of iconic, reshaping how fans view the character and expanding her reach beyond her origins in Batman: The Animated Series. Robbie’s Harley Quinn, introduced in 2016’s Suicide Squad, broke new ground for a female anti-hero on screen.

With her chaotic energy, offbeat humor, and a blend of heart and unpredictability, she quickly made Harley Quinn a household name, capturing the essence of a character that fans found both complex and relatable.

In Suicide Squad, Robbie’s Harley Quinn was presented as more than just the Joker’s girlfriend. She stole scenes, swinging her baseball bat with colorful hair and a personality that felt both lethal and endearing. It was a radical departure from the more subdued or purely villainous portrayals of female characters in previous comic-book films.

Robbie’s take blended comedy with psychosis in a way that felt authentic to Harley’s chaotic nature. She gave Harley Quinn a newfound independence and layered complexity that resonated deeply with audiences. Fans praised Robbie for capturing Harley’s spirit while also adding a fresh twist that made her uniquely Robbie’s Harley.

The film’s success led to a growing demand for a Harley-centric project, which manifested in Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) in 2020. Robbie was not only the star but also a producer on the film, heavily involved in its direction and creative choices.

Here, she truly explored Harley’s depth, portraying her independence post-Joker, her vulnerability, and her resilience. Birds of Prey allowed Robbie to delve into Harley’s character arc, revealing a Harley who was learning to stand on her own. This Harley wasn’t defined by her relationship with the Joker but was instead discovering her own path. Robbie’s passion for the role and her commitment to ensuring Harley’s portrayal stayed true to her character shone through, establishing Harley as a force to be reckoned with in her own right.

Then came The Suicide Squad (2021), where Harley’s character was pushed to new levels of chaos and wit under director James Gunn. In this iteration, Robbie balanced Harley’s violent and vulnerable sides, whether she was wielding a javelin or engaging in heartfelt conversations with King Shark.

Each portrayal built on the last, with Robbie continually finding ways to explore new dimensions of Harley’s psyche and unpredictability. It was clear that Robbie had become synonymous with the character, bringing a vibrant energy that made Harley unforgettable.

But as the DC Universe began to shift under the creative vision of James Gunn and Peter Safran, a new direction for Harley Quinn was being charted. The announcement of Joker: Folie à Deux, starring Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn opposite Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker, stirred discussions on the future of the character in cinema. Gaga’s Harley was set in a separate universe, disconnected from Robbie’s version.

Gaga’s approach leaned into the darker, psychological side of Harley, offering a version that felt grounded in Phoenix’s gritty world of the Joker. While Robbie’s Harley is whimsical and unpredictable, Gaga’s rendition is set to dive into a darker, more intense portrayal, expanding Harley’s cinematic possibilities. This difference highlights the versatility of the character, showcasing her ability to adapt to vastly different tones while remaining true to her essence.

Despite Gaga’s casting, Margot Robbie has hinted in interviews that she might still see herself in Harley’s colorful, chaotic shoes under the right circumstances. In a recent conversation with Variety, Robbie shared her views on the character’s future. She expressed that Harley, like Batman or James Bond, could be played by various actors, each bringing unique interpretations.

This acknowledgment felt like a passing of the torch, as Robbie recognized that Harley is larger than any single portrayal. She suggested that she was open to other performers taking on the role, emphasizing that Harley’s core could be maintained while evolving through new creative lenses. Robbie also praised Lady Gaga’s involvement, expressing excitement about how different actresses might continue expanding Harley’s narrative in unique ways.

However, Robbie’s remarks in the Variety interview seemed to suggest a readiness to move on, or at least to allow the character room to grow beyond her. While she didn’t close the door on reprising Harley, her words were reflective, hinting that she had achieved everything she’d set out to with Harley and that she was prepared to see her evolve with other performers.

For many fans, Robbie’s dedication to Harley was unparalleled, making the idea of a new Harley a bittersweet prospect. Her portrayal over the last seven years transformed Harley from a supporting character into a leading figure, and the thought of anyone else stepping into her shoes feels daunting to her fans.

While DC’s future is still in flux, with Gunn and Safran reshaping the cinematic universe, there is no question that Harley Quinn will remain central. Robbie has set a high standard, and her version of Harley has become a pop culture icon. Future films could lean into Harley’s origin story as Dr. Harleen Quinzel, delving into the trauma and relationships that make her who she is, or they could continue Harley’s journey as an independent anti-hero, exploring her role within or beyond Gotham’s chaotic criminal world. With the DC multiverse approach, there’s even a possibility of seeing multiple Harleys, each embodying a different facet of her complex personality.

Regardless of whether Robbie returns or Harley is reimagined by someone new, the foundation Robbie has laid ensures Harley’s enduring place in the DC Universe. Her portrayal has become a cultural touchstone, inspiring a generation to see Harley as not just a villain but as a complex, fascinating anti-hero. Robbie’s impact on the character is undeniable; she has set a precedent for future interpretations and established Harley as a lasting force in pop culture.

As fans look forward to Gaga’s Harley in Joker: Folie à Deux and consider the DCU’s upcoming projects, there’s a sense of excitement mixed with nostalgia. Margot Robbie’s Harley has given fans a character who is fun, unpredictable, and flawed, someone who constantly surprises and entertains. No matter where Harley goes from here, her legacy, shaped by Robbie’s dedicated portrayal, will undoubtedly continue to thrive in new and unexpected ways.