Margot Robbie gives a frank update about the status of Birds of Prey 2. After the actresses' take on Harley Quinn became one of the most popular aspects of 2016's Suicide Squad, Warner Bros. put a number of different Harley Quinn-centric projects in development. Birds of Prey, released last year, was the one that ultimately won out. Directed by Cathy Yan, the film saw Harley team up with other DC female characters Huntress, Black Canary, Renee Montoya, and Cassandra Cain as they came to blows with Roman Sionis.
Birds of Prey earned positive reviews upon its release, with critics praising its performances, action, and gleefully chaotic take on the genre. However, that word-of-mouth didn't translate into strong ticket sales (and Birds of Prey came out a month before the pandemic started). The R-rated film grossed just $33 million in its opening weekend and ended its theatrical run with $201.8 million worldwide against an $84.5 million production budget. That performance led to some considering it to be a misfire, which could be why Birds of Prey 2 never entered development. And based on Robbie's latest comments, it doesn't sound like a sequel is in the works.
Speaking with Den of Geek to promote The Suicide Squad, Robbie was asked about the future of Birds of Prey. She reiterated previous comments she made last year, stating there's no Birds of Prey 2 in the pipeline:
“I don’t know if that is on the horizon anytime soon. I don’t think it’s a no. But no, there’s no sequel in the works that I’m aware of at this stage.”
Robbie was a producer on Birds of Prey, so it stands reason to believe if WB was moving forward on a sequel, she'd be privy to the conversations. Actors in big franchises can typically be the last to know about upcoming projects, but Robbie's level of involvement in Birds of Prey means she'd probably be actively involved in putting it together. WB does have a full slate of DC films coming out through 2023, including sequels to hits Aquaman and Shazam, as well as Matt Reeves' The Batman. In the immediate future, there isn't really room for Birds of Prey 2 in the DC lineup, but perhaps it will be revisited at some point down the line. Harley Quinn is a very popular character and she should be a scene-stealer in The Suicide Squad. Given how beloved Robbie's performances are, the studio should want to keep her around.
Even though Birds of Prey wasn't a massive box office hit, its budget was far more moderate than a typical comic book adaptation. That might make it easier for a sequel to get the green light, as it wouldn't need to break the bank in order to turn a profit. Compared to other DC titles, Birds of Prey may not have as much widespread appeal (with the R rating limiting its potential audience), but the movie still has a loyal fan base that would like to see Harley's adventures with her friends continue. Especially if The Suicide Squad is well-received, there might be a resurgence in Birds of Prey 2 interest.
Source: Den of Geek
