James Gunn hints Margot Robbie may be done as Harley Quinn in DCU
Synopsis
James Gunn has publicly cast doubt on Margot Robbie's future as Harley Quinn, saying she 'may be over' the role. Coming from the man who already replaced Henry Cavill as Superman, this is more than speculation — it is a signal that DC's most recognisable female character may soon look very different.
Key Takeaways
DC Studios chief James Gunn , 60 , said Margot Robbie 'may be over' playing Harley Quinn .
Gunn made the remarks on 'The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?
The Official Podcast' .
Robbie , 36 , has played Harley Quinn since 2016 's 'Suicide Squad' and also in 2020 's 'Birds of Prey'.
Gunn confirmed 'The Suicide Squad' is largely within DCU canon, with Harley Quinn's future listed as the key asterisk.
Gunn previously replaced Henry Cavill with David Corenswet as Superman , establishing a pattern of legacy casting changes.
DC Studios co-chief James Gunn has raised fresh doubts about whether Margot Robbie will return as Harley Quinn in the rebooted DC Universe, saying the actress 'may be over' the iconic role. The comments, made during a podcast appearance, mark the clearest signal yet that Robbie's decade-long run as the fan-favourite character could be drawing to a close.
What Gunn Said on the Podcast
Speaking on 'The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? The Official Podcast', Gunn, 60, addressed the canonical status of the 2021 film 'The Suicide Squad' within the new DCU continuity. While largely confirming its place in the canon, he flagged one notable caveat: Harley Quinn's future remains unresolved.
'I want to be given a little leeway with this by the fans because I'm not sure exactly how that's going to manifest itself,' Gunn said. 'But other than that, I think that we can pretty much say the entire movie is canon. I don't think there's a problem.'
On Robbie specifically, Gunn was candid: 'She's just so crazy. I love her as Harley. I don't know if she wants to play Harley again. She may be over that.'
Robbie's History with the Character
Margot Robbie, 36, first portrayed Harley Quinn in 2016's 'Suicide Squad', reprising the role in 2020's 'Birds of Prey'. Her performance drew widespread acclaim and is widely credited with elevating the character to mainstream cultural prominence. Gunn himself acknowledged that Robbie has since become the 'biggest female star in the world', a trajectory that makes a return to a superhero franchise less commercially necessary for her personally.
Part of a Broader DCU Casting Shake-Up
The uncertainty around Robbie is not an isolated case. Since Gunn and producer Peter Safran took the reins at DC Studios, a series of legacy casting decisions have reshaped the franchise. Most notably, Henry Cavill was replaced by David Corenswet as Superman — a move that generated significant fan backlash and broader debate about continuity in superhero franchises. This is reportedly not the first time Gunn has made pointed remarks about the future of legacy DC characters under his tenure.
What Comes Next for Harley Quinn
Gunn stopped short of confirming a recast, leaving open the possibility that Harley Quinn could be reimagined by a different actress, written out of the DCU for a period, or eventually revisited should Robbie choose to return. Industry observers note that the character remains one of DC's most commercially valuable properties, making a long-term absence unlikely. How the studio resolves the Harley Quinn question will be closely watched as the broader DCU reboot takes shape over the coming years.
Point of View
He softens what may in practice be a recast. The pattern is now established: Gunn's DCU prizes creative coherence over legacy casting, and Robbie's Harley Quinn — however beloved — was always part of a continuity he is actively rebuilding. The bigger question mainstream coverage misses is commercial: Harley Quinn is among DC's most merchandisable properties, and an extended absence or recast carries real brand risk at a moment when the DCU is still rebuilding audience trust post-Cavill.
NationPress
30 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did James Gunn say about Margot Robbie's future as Harley Quinn?
James Gunn said he is unsure whether Margot Robbie will return as Harley Quinn, stating she 'may be over' playing the character. He made the remarks on 'The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? The Official Podcast', where he also confirmed the film is largely within DCU canon.
How many times has Margot Robbie played Harley Quinn?
Margot Robbie has played Harley Quinn twice — in the 2016 film 'Suicide Squad' and in the 2020 film 'Birds of Prey'. She also appeared in James Gunn's 2021 standalone 'The Suicide Squad'.
Has James Gunn replaced other legacy DC actors before?
Yes. Gunn's most high-profile casting change was replacing Henry Cavill with David Corenswet as Superman. The Harley Quinn uncertainty follows that precedent and reflects Gunn's broader approach of rebuilding the DCU with a fresh continuity.
Is Harley Quinn confirmed as part of the new DCU?
Gunn confirmed that 'The Suicide Squad' (2021) is largely within the new DCU canon, but flagged Harley Quinn's future as the one unresolved element. No official announcement about recasting or retiring the character has been made.
Why might Margot Robbie not return as Harley Quinn?
Gunn suggested Robbie may simply no longer want to play the role, noting she has become the 'biggest female star in the world' since debuting as Harley Quinn. No contractual or creative dispute has been cited publicly.
