Harley Quinn fast became like Loki is for Marvel after Margot Robbie debuted in the role in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad: the antihero MVP of DC’s Extended Universe. Quinn’s get-up – known over the years to be flamboyant and revealing – hasn’t been revealed yet for James Gunn’s reboot, leaving some to wonder what the writer/director’s plans are.
Gunn, during an Instagram Q&A, tersely denied Quinn will have an outfit in his movie similar to one she’s worn before without going into further details. Below is a screengrab of his response.
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The door left open, there is a wide range of possibilities. In Ayer’s film, we saw two of Harley’s most iconic looks – three if you count her nerdy, straightlaced civilian clothes when she’s a plain psychiatrist. Robbie, for the most part, wore a T-shirt, jacket, boots, and short-shorts resembling Quinn’s New 52 revamp.
We also saw a sequence of Robbie with Jared Leto’s Joker, recreating an illustration by Alex Ross, in the red-and-black court-jester leotard Harley is most famous for. The character has worn that number since day one – her first appearance on Batman: The Animated Series.
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Ayer had alternate ideas of what Harley might wear, a fact Robbie shed light on to Hello Giggles in 2016:
“We tried on every variation of the costume. I cannot emphasize enough how many outfits, and how many variations of the Harley Quinn costume we tried. We tried the court jester costume, we tried the corset and skirt, we tried leather pants, we tried literally every type of costume possible for her. I really love where we ended up. And who knows, maybe in the sequels we’ll go with the court jester one. I think there’s a world of possibilities.”
Maybe in the “sequel,” it will be the court jester outfit but, judging by the wording of the question submitted on Instagram, probably not. Gunn’s emphatic response gives the impression he is going for something different unless he’s only remarking on the tee and hotpants combo.
Margot Robbie offered some indication of what we should expect. Talking about Birds of Prey with Vogue in June, she said her costume in the upcoming film is “definitely less male gaze–y.” Images and the trailer show Harley’s garb includes a transparent jacket adorned with streamers and overalls.
Warner Bros. and James Gunn most likely are thinking along the same lines in the era of #MeToo and greater sensitivity, especially with Robbie on board as an executive producer.
Though if BOP bombs they may revert to the old strategy. Either way, we get our fill of Harley Quinn over the next two years. She’s the figurehead of Birds, out in Feb., and a key member of The Suicide Squad – currently filming and headed for theaters in Aug. 2021.
What do you expect out of Gunn and Robbie in terms of Suicide Squad and Harley Quinn’s wardrobe? Tell us below.