Birds of Preyhas found its Huntress and Black Canary. Mary Elizabeth Winstead has been cast in the role of Huntress, with Jurnee Smollett-Bell tapped to portray Black Canary. Both actresses were rumored to be up for their respective roles previously. They join Margot Robbie, who reprises her role asHarley QuinnfromSuicide Squadin a movie that will see the trio of female DC characters saving Gotham City from a nefarious villain, who is reportedly going to be Black Mask. Though, the studio has yet to confirm that particular detail.
Mary Elizabeth Winsteadhas been steadily on the rise in recent years, from her work in10 Cloverfield Laneto her critically-acclaimed turn in FX’sFargoseries. As forJurnee Smollett-Bellthis represents a huge break for the actress, who is mostly known for her work on the small screen in shows likeFriday Night LightsandUnderground. InBirds of Prey, her characterBlack Canaryaka Dinah Lance, is a formidable street fighter who has a distinctive shrieking cry.
Huntress, on the other hand, has taken several different forms over the years in the pages of DC Comics. In the movie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead will be portraying her as a former mafia princess who witnessed her family being murdered at a very young age, quite similar to how Batman got his start. Interestingly enough, this casting report indicates thatBirds of Preywill see the trio trying to protect a version of Gotham City that isn’t protected by Batman. That raises all kinds of interesting questions, since this will clearly be taking place in the same universe that is occupied by Batfleck. When will this take place in the timeline? Why isn’t Batman there? These are questions that will surely be answered at a later date.
This will be the next movie in the DC universe to enter production. Patty Jenkins is currently filmingWonder Woman 1984and Todd Phillips is filming hisJokerorigin movie, which stars Joaquin Phoenix in the title role. The latter of which will not be connected to movies likeMan of SteelandJustice League. As forBirds of Prey, it has been in development for some time and was just one of several Harley Quinn spin-offs that entered development following the success ofSuicide Squad. Margot Robbie was also developingGotham City Sirenswith David Ayer. There is also the Joker and Harley Quinn movie, which recently had a script submitted to the studio.
Cathy Yan (Dead Pigs) has been tapped to direct the movie, with a script from Christina Hodson (Bumblebee). At the present time, it doesn’t appear as though Barbara Gordon, the woman who becomes Batgirl, will be introduced here, but her solo movie is still in development following Joss Whedon’s exit. Warner Bros. recently set a June 27, 2025, release date forBirds of Prey, which is expected to begin filming early next year. The movie is currently going under the working titleFox Force Fivein direct correlation to Quinten Tarantino, and the failed pilot Mia Wallace references inPulp Fiction. Not for nothing, but Mary Elizabeth Winstead played an actress in Tarantino’sDeath Proof, which takes place in thePulp Fictionuniverse. So there is some Tranatino flavor being sprinkled onBirds of Prey. We’ll be sure to keep you posted as more details on the project are made available. This news was first reported byDeadline.
