With the release of James Gunn‘s Superman officially pushing his DCU forward, some are looking back at those who last brought certain DC Comic characters to life. Gunn has previously confirmed that he is working on a Wonder Woman-related projects and that Matt Reeves‘ Batman is not a part of his universe, likely meaning he’s looking for both someone to fill the shoes of Diana Prince and Bruce Wayne. That also leaves a wide berth for the rest of the DCU, even after the healthy dose of new characters debuting in Superman. Looking back, other DC-related projects include Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). The 2020 film followed Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn (after previously starring as her in Suicide Squad) and brought to life one of the lesser known DC Comic teams (as opposed to say The Justice League or Justice Society of America). Included in that team-up was Jurnee Smollett as Dinah Laurel Lance aka Black Canary. When speaking with Collider’s Taylor Gates, Smollett was asked about the project and, of course, looking ahead at the DCU.
“I love playing Black Canary and working with Margot and the whole team. Unfortunately, I don’t get to work in environments that have that many female actresses in the cast often enough, so it’s so special how everyone was cheering each other on and working together. I loved the experience and working with 87eleven — the stunt team was a dream. I think my love for stunts definitely went to a next level working with them. They’re the team behind John Wick and so many of our favorite action films, and nobody does it better than them.”
And would Smollett ever reprise the role? “That’s above my pay grade,” she tells Collider. “You gotta ask James and the DC folks about that.” As for any aspirations for her character, “There were a lot of exciting things that Misha Green was cooking up, but again, it’s not up to us.”
What Is ‘Birds of Prey’?
The 2020 film was a long time coming, in development as early as 2015 (with fans champing at the bit even earlier than that with the advent of the potential DCEU). The film starred Robbie, Smollett as well as Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Helena Bertinelli aka Huntress, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, and Ewan McGregor as Black Mask. The film fell into the trap of other past DC adaptations that didn’t have the chance to really lift off. Now with the DCU, anything is possible. In 2016, there were even plans of a Gotham City Sirens project (which, if following the comics, would’ve consisted of Harley Quinn, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, among others).
Smollett’s Black Canary is the most faithful live action adaptation of the character, incorporating her as a metahuman with her musical talents, keeping her name as Dinah, and the supersonic scream known as the Canary Cry. Bringing the Birds of Prey into the DCU, especially with Gunn’s eventual plans for his own vision of Batman, would elevate the DCU. There’s so much material to work with. The team typically consists of Huntress, Black Canary, Batgirl, and Lady Blackhawk. That core four was a staple in comics for the last 20 plus years with members phasing in and out. So with Smollett’s fondness for the role, the possibility of a return is there.
You can watch Birds of Prey on HBO Max. Stay with Collider for the latest updates.
