A new comic book character will be stepping into the movie spotlight in 2016 and should become a household name before the year is over. Expect DC Comics’ Harley Quinn to become a bonafide “A” list film icon before the credits finish rolling on Suicide Squad, if her role is handled correctly. Warner Bros is unabashedly trying to get into the Margot Robbie business. The actress is being positioned by the studio to be the next big star, with Focus opening this spring where she co-stars with Suicide Squad’s Will Smith, she is currently filming the live-action adaptation of Tarzan, and then she will top it off by bringing Quinn to life.
Harley Quinn is an interesting character in Batman lore because she was actually created on television and due to the character’s TV popularity was integrated into the comics. This has left a very distinct impression on fan’s about how the character should act and sound. Quinn has a unique history and a volatile combination of personality traits. She was a one time psychiatrist who turned criminal and her voice is combination of a hard Brooklyn accent, combined with a ditzy naivete. The Australian born Robbie has proven that she can handle the accent previously in The Wolf of Wall Street. She was recently asked at the Sundance Film Festival about her prep and if she has settled on a voice for Quinn in Suicide Squad and this is what she had to say.
“None of those things have been set in stone at this point, but according to the comics, she’s from New York and I think Brooklyn, so there may be a slight… I couldn’t imagine it would be as strong as the Wolf of Wall Street accent. The lingo will be the difference between that and the other character I played in ‘Wolf’ but I don’t know yet. We haven’t spoken about it.”
Director David Ayer has been busy rewriting the script and his last film Fury, showed how capable he was at making characterizations seem unforced. He has developed a reputation for hard-hitting action movies, but it is unclear how much he is embracing the comic book elements in this upcoming adaptation.
Robbie’s character in The Wolf of Wall Street had a heavy accent and Sorkin’s original version is even heavier. Since Robbie doesn’t anticipate making it as strong, it could signify that the characterizations in Suicide Squad will be slightly grounded. (With some notable exceptions and surprises like the Joker of course.) Quinn will be part of a highly skilled mercenary team, so it will be interesting to see how Ayer is writing the banter between the members. In Fury people paid to see the battles, but the film was elevated by the quieter moments spent with the soldiers, within the tanks. If Ayer can find the humanity in his Squad, we could all be in for a huge treat.
Filming begins in about two months, so it should be exciting to see how this corner of the DC universe develops. The Rick Flagg role still needs to be cast, as the search continues for an actor to play the little known character. We will be sure to bring you all the Suicide Squad buzz as it is uncovered. How do you think Ayer will handle Quinn? Will she be dressed as a jester? Or do you think it will be more grounded? Let us know on the comment boards, , , and !
Suicide Squad will be released August 5th, 2016.
Source: Superhero Hype, Variant Comics Art: