Margot Robbie recently revealed that her planned reboot of Pirates of the Caribbean is not moving forward. While this is a disappointment to many who were looking forward to the movie, many fans are wondering when Robbie will return to her other big franchise as Harley Quinn in the DCU.
Though there have been many iterations of Harley over the years, the DCU has been able to create its own unique take on the character. Some key quotes highlight the aspects, from her antihero nature to her wild sense of humor to her tragic side, that make the character of Harley Quinn stand out in the DCU.
“Would You Live For Me?”
Joker – Suicide Squad (2016)
A very big part of Harley’s origins is tied to Joker. That is no different in the DCU as Suicide Squad gives a flashback look at how Joker seduced Dr. Harleen Quinzel to a life of crime and depravity.
Ver más: Spider-Man 3 Almost Had Tom Holland Wear A Wig Because His Hair Was Too CoolBut the DCU has also leaned into the fact that this is a twisted relationship with Joker as a controlling villain to Harley’s antihero. After first asking Harley if she’d die for him, Joker decides that is too easy and changes his question. It is a moment of Harley surrendering her life to him which starts her fight to take that life back later on.
“We All Know The Saying, ‘Behind Every Successful Man, There’s A Badass Broad.’ Well, That Was Me.”
Harley Quinn – Birds Of Prey (2020)
Despite how she was originally introduced, Harley Quinn is a rare comic book henchman who outdid her boss. Joker has failed to be a hit in the DCU while Harley has become possibly the cinematic universe’s most popular character.
Harley seems to realize her value over time as well. While she was seen as a loving follower of Joker in Suicide Squad, Birds of Preysees her seeking independence from him and showing that she knows she is the real badass between the two of them.
“We’re The Bad Guys. It’s What We Do.”
Harley Quinn – Suicide Squad (2016)
Though Harley has been a villain in television and comics for years, it is hard not to be charmed by her as well. This is especially true of the character in the DCU as she can embrace her villainous side, but she is so open about it that it’s hard to fault her.
While on a mission with Task Force X, Harley casually breaks into a store and steals a purse. When Rick Flag calls her out, she owns up to it with an attitude that suggests he shouldn’t expect anything else from her.
“I Got Road Rage… In A Bank.”
Harley Quinn – The Suicide Squad (2021)
Another reason Harley comes off as a more likable villain is that she doesn’t seem to see what she is doing as actually being bad. Robbing stores, blowing things up, and causing mayhem are what she sees as everyday activities.
In The Suicide Squad, Harley finds herself back on Task Force X with her old teammate Boomerang. When he asks her what she’s doing back in prison, she brushes it off as a misunderstanding, though it hints that she is very much underplaying it.
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Harley Quinn – The Suicide Squad (2021)
Even in a dysfunctional team like the Suicide Squad, Harley is perhaps the strangest member among them. She is also the one who seems to be having the most fun, seeing their life-or-death mission as a big game.
When Rick Flag threatens to kill The Thinker if he lies, Harley adds in her own offenses, like personalized license plates and not covering his mouth when he sneezes. It cements her as this disruptive force on the team who cannot take anything seriously.
“Recently, I Made A Promise To Myself That The Next Time I Got A Boyfriend, I’d Be On The Lookout For Red Flags.”
Harley Quinn – The Suicide Squad (2021)
Though many think it is comic book canon for Harley Quinn to be solely linked to Joker, The Suicide Squad introduces a new and very brief love interest for her. While Harley quickly hits it off with Presidente Luna, she kills him as soon as she realizes he is a brutal dictator.
As Luna dies, Harley calmly explains to him her reasoning that she is looking to avoid any more toxic relationships with evil men. It seems as though her breakup with Joker also put her on the path to being a better person.
“When Your Taste In Men Is As Bad As Mine, They Don’t Go Away Quietly.”
Harley Quinn – The Suicide Squad (2021)
With Harley taking such a big role in the DCU and Joker having such a small one, it is interesting how he has been reshaped as simply the bad ex-boyfriend role. However, the damage he did to Harley is certainly noticeable.
Even with her fun-loving and wild energy, there are times when Harley is filled with sadness. She laments attracting the kind of men who not only mistreat her but who are also not easy to get rid of. It makes her a much more sympathetic version of Harley than some of the others.
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Harley Quinn – Birds Of Prey (2020)
In the long history of the relationship between Harley and Joker, there have been a lot of fun moments. But it is nice for the DCU to allow her to exist on her own and become her own character.
Of course, she first has to come to terms with the fact that the whole world sees her as nothing but an appendage to Joker. It is another glimpse at the sadder side of Harley Quinn, but it also serves as a motivation to make a name for herself.
“You Made Me Want To Be A Less Terrible Person.”
Harley Quinn – Birds Of Prey (2020)
There have been many times Harley Quinn has done heroic things in DC Comics. The DCU embraces that redemptive side to her, making her an antihero rather than a full-blown villain. After forming a bond with Cassandra Cain, Harley admits she is inspired to be better.
However, it is also clear that part of the reason Harley is so much fun is that she is willing to be bad. So the fact that her self-improvement aims at being “less terrible” strikes that perfect balance between good and bad.
“But I’m The One They Should Be Scared Of! Not You, Not Mr. J! Because I’m Harley F***Ing Quinn!”
Harley Quinn – Birds Of Prey (2020)
Birds of Prey takes a look at what happens when Harley doesn’t have Joker in her corner. She was untouchable in Gotham because no one wanted to cross Joker, but following their breakup, she is forced to make it on her own.
However, she is able to show others and herself that she doesn’t need Joker to be the one and only Harley Quinn. She is a confident and dangerous character who is ready to move out from behind someone else’s shadow and wreak some havoc of her own.
