Harley Quinn spin-off Birds of Prey to expand DC's R-rated universe
The DC Extended Universe, a relatively newer superhero movie franchise, seems to be all set to jump on the R-rated bandwagon with a female character at the front and center of all the action.
Since David Ayer's anti-hero ensemble movie 'Suicide Squad' in 2016, comic book movie fans have shown a particular affinity for villain-centric plotlines - an example of which can be seen with the recently-released MCU film, 'Avengers: Infinity War', where Thanos puts the wheel in motion.
So much so that DC loyalists have even demanded a sequel to the Margot Robbie and Will Smith-starrer film along with spinoff versions centered on Robbie's psychotic character, Harley Quinn.
And Warner Bros too, unfailingly, have honored the request by keeping the buzz alive - at least four other Harley-based movies are believed to be in works.
While the fate of all four remains a bit of a mystery at present, one amongst them, though, has finally been greenlit by the studios - the Bird of Prey movie. After it was confirmed that DC/WB have managed to get Cathy Yan (of Dead Pigs fame) onboard to direct the spinoff, Harley star Robbie recently did some dishing, teasing that the project could be "R-rated".
"I pitched the idea of an R-rated girl gang film including Harley, because I was like, ‘Harley needs friends.’ Harley loves interacting with people, so don’t ever make her do a standalone film," the 27-year-old actress told Collider adding, "She’s got to be with other people, it should be a girl gang. I wasn’t seeing enough girl gangs on screen, especially in the action space. So that was always a big part of it."
It should be noted that a version of Zack Snyder's Batman vs Superman: Dawn of Justice was rated R but that cut didn't make its way to the theaters. This means Birds of Prey could very well mark the first R-rated theatrical run for DCEU.
Speaking of getting Yan to helm the project, the Suicide Squad actress further added: "It was hugely important to find a female director for this, if possible. But at the end of the day — male, female — the best director gets the job and Cathy was the best director."
Indeed this is the most exciting news for DC fans, given that the studio has very few blockbuster releases lined-up for the year including the solo Aquaman movie.