Not long after word began spreading that Jared Leto is being eyed for the role of the Joker in the upcoming "Suicide Squad" film, Collider has heard from an unnamed source that Aussie actress Margot Robbie has signed on the dotted line to play the clown princess of crime, Dr. Harleen Quinzel AKA Harley Quinn.
Most know Robbie from her role in Martin Scorsese's "The Wolf of Wall Street," and she's been on a shortlist of celebrities rumored for roles in the supervillain team-up movie. Director David Ayer has reportedly been wooing Will Smith and Tom Hardy, in addition to Leto and Robbie. With Robbie possibly signed on already, the other rumored actors may soon follow suit. The Wrap recently reported that Smith, Hardy and Leto were all in various stages of talks regarding roles in the picture, and that Jesse Eisenberg's Lex Luthor is scheduled to make an appearance.
Casting on the film will have to commence soon as "Suicide Squad's" release date is fast-approaching. The movie will be the first of Warner Bros. massive film slate to hit theaters after 2016's "Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice."
For those who don't know the character, Harley Quinn was introduced in "Batman: The Animated Series" as the Joker's girlfriend/henchwoman. She was originally Dr. Harleen Quinzel, a shrink at Arkham Asylum, who was tasked with treating the Joker. The Joker quickly perverted and seduced the poor Dr. Quinzel, and she has now gone on to become a popular rogue/anti-hero in her own right. This will be the first time the character has ever been portrayed on the big screen.
Quinn has also emerged as one of the biggest breakout stars in DC's New 52 era; her ongoing solo series is a massive hit, with "Harley Quinn Annual" #1 outselling every other DC Comic other than "Batman" #35 last month, according to Comic Book Resources.
My take on this is, while Robbie is certainly a gorgeous woman, I'm not so sure she has the acting chops to portray the zany, unpredictable and entirely over-the-top Quinn. I suppose it will come down to how the character is written in this film version, but I think it will be interesting to watch, regardless.
Stay tuned for more on the "Suicide Squad" cast as it develops.
