As production onWonder Woman 1984winds down and cameras roll onJoker, Warner Bros. is gearing up to square away its next DC Comics adaptation to go before cameras. Next in line isBirds of Prey, a female-centric team-up movie anchored byMargot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, withCathy Yanset to direct. Filming is aiming to begin at the beginning of 2019, and to that end Warner Bros. has begun testing actresses for key roles in the movie.
PerTHR,Gugu Mbatha-Raw(The Cloverfield Paradox) andJurnee Smolett-Bell(Friday Night Lights) are in the mix for the role of Black Canary, withJanelle Monaealso said to be in the running—although it’s unclear if she’s actually tested. The character of Black Canary has traditionally been white in the comics, but Warner Bros. is looking to fill out the ensemble ofBirds of Preywith diverse talent. Regardless of race, Mbatha-Raw and Smolett-Bell are two incredibly talented actresses and Monae showed tremendous promise inMoonlight, so any one of these performers would be a swell choice. Mbatha-Raw has held her own as the lead in films likeBelleand theBlack Mirrorepisode “San Junipero”, while Smolett-Bell recently lead the WGN seriesUndergroundand stars in theJordan Peele-produced upcoming HBO seriesLovecraft Country.
For the role of Huntress, THR saysThe LeftoversstandoutMargaret Qualley, actressCristin Milioti(who ledBlack Mirror’s “USS Callister”), and the wildly talentedMary Elizabeth Winsteadhave tested or read. And for the character of Renee Montoya, a lesbian detective on the Gotham City police force,One Day at a TimestarJustina MachadoandVidaandThe DeuceactressRoberta Colindrezhave tested.
WB is also looking to fill the role of Cassandra Cain, but with a twist. While the comics iteration is a mute assassin who was at one time Batgirl,Birds of Prey’s version of the character will be 12 years old and they’re looking for an Asian actress for the part.
There are other actors are in the mix for the roles, and as is always true with “testing” or “shortlist” stories, it’s always possible someone else entirely comes away with the part (see:Josh Brolinas Cable). But this is a mighty exciting assemblage of talent, and it’s clear WB is seriously putting together a diverse ensemble. It also must be said that any one of these roles has the potential to either go on and show up in another DCEU film or even lead their own movie, so this is a major coup for anyone involved.
Stay tuned, as WB is expected to make final decisions in the coming weeks.
