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Birds of Prey (2020 film)

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Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
Company typeFilm
IndustryEntertainment
Founded2020
FounderWarner Bros. Pictures, Margot Robbie (producer)
Headquarters
Los Angeles
,
United States
ProductsSuperhero film
ParentWarner Bros. Pictures

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)—also referred to as Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey, or simply Birds of Prey'—is a 2020 American superhero film helmed by director Cathy Yan with a screenplay by Christina Hodson. The narrative is adapted from the DC Comics ensemble known as the Birds of Prey. This film represents the eighth chapter within the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and functions both as a spin-off and a continuation of Suicide Squad (2016). The cast features Margot Robbie reprising her role as Harley Quinn, alongside Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, and Ewan McGregor. The storyline centers on Harley Quinn, who, following her split from the Joker, becomes targeted by Gotham’s crime boss Roman Sionis. She then allies with Helena Bertinelli, Dinah Lance, and Renee Montoya—the Birds of Prey—to safeguard Cassandra Cain.

Margot Robbie, who also served as a producer, initiated the concept for Birds of Prey with Warner Bros. in 2015. The project was officially announced in May 2016; by November that year, Hodson was engaged to craft the script, and Yan was confirmed as director in April 2018. By December 2018, most principal cast and crew members were finalized. Filming primarily occurred between January and April 2019 in locations including Downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Arts District, and Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, with supplementary shoots taking place in September 2019.

The film had its premiere in Mexico City on January 25, 2020, followed by a U.S. release on February 7 across multiple formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, ScreenX, and 4DX. Although it received generally favorable reviews from critics, it did not meet commercial expectations, earning $205.5 million globally against an estimated break-even threshold of $250–300 million.

Plot

Set four years after the Enchantress’s defeat, the Joker ends his relationship with Harley Quinn, leaving her stranded on Gotham City’s streets. To recover, she cuts her hair short, adopts a spotted hyena as a pet, and takes up roller derby—all supported by Doc, who owns a Taiwanese restaurant.

At a nightclub owned by crime lord Roman Sionis (Black Mask), Harley becomes intoxicated and injures his driver following an insult. There she encounters Dinah Lance (Black Canary), a burlesque performer who later rescues her from being kidnapped. Impressed by Dinah’s combat abilities, Roman appoints her as his new driver. After overhearing skepticism about her breakup with the Joker, Harley detonates the Ace Chemicals plant to publicly confirm their separation. Without Joker’s protection, she becomes vulnerable to Gotham’s criminal underworld.

Detective Renee Montoya of the GCPD investigates a series of mob murders committed by a vigilante armed with a crossbow and attempts to recruit Dinah—who declines due to previous trauma. Roman dispatches Dinah alongside Victor Zsasz to recover a diamond containing account numbers linked to the Bertinelli crime family’s fortune. Young pickpocket Cassandra "Cass" Cain steals and swallows this diamond.

Roman captures Harley and coerces her into retrieving the diamond under threat of death while placing a bounty on Cass. Harley infiltrates GCPD using paint-filled grenades to free Cass; they develop a bond while in hiding. The vigilante known as the "crossbow killer" is revealed to be Helena Bertinelli (Huntress), who survived her family’s massacre and seeks revenge against their murderers. When criminals targeting Cass bomb Harley’s apartment, Doc admits he betrayed her. Harley offers herself up for arrest in exchange for protection, arranging a meeting at an abandoned amusement park.

Montoya confronts Harley but is thrown through a window during their encounter. Zsasz tranquilizes Harley and takes Dinah hostage but is ultimately killed by Helena—who reveals he was the final Bertinelli assassin. Montoya exposes Roman as the architect behind the Bertinelli massacre. Roman arrives with masked henchmen; however, Harley and her allies fend off the assault. Cass is captured; Dinah employs her supersonic scream to defeat mobsters. Harley and Helena pursue Roman on roller skates; at a pier, Cass retrieves a grenade ring from Harley’s weapon stash. Harley hurls Roman off the pier before detonating the grenade, killing him.

Following Roman’s empire collapse, Montoya resigns from the GCPD. Utilizing funds from the diamond’s accounts, Helena, Dinah, and Montoya establish their vigilante group—the Birds of Prey. Meanwhile, Harley and Cass sell the diamond itself to launch their own venture.

In the post-credits sequence, Harley directly addresses viewers but is abruptly interrupted before mentioning Batman.

Cast

Additional cast members include Steven Williams as Captain Patrick Erickson, Montoya's commanding officer; Dana Lee portraying Doc, Quinn's friend and owner of a restaurant; François Chau as Mr. Keo, a competing crime boss; Derek Wilson in the role of Detective Tim Munroe; Matt Willig playing Happy, an ex-henchman distinguished by facial tattoos; and Bojana Novakovic as Erika, a nightclub patron victimized by Sionis.[12] Charlene Amoia and Paul Lasa portray Helena’s parents Maria and Franco Bertinelli respectively;[13] while Daniel Bernhardt appears as Sionis’ chauffeur.

The character of the Joker is represented through animated effects and archival footage featuring Jared Leto from Suicide Squad, supplemented by a body double due to Leto’s unavailability during filming.[14] Additionally, a still image of Jai Courtney portraying George "Digger" Harkness / Captain Boomerang is displayed within the GCPD setting.[15]

Development

In May 2016, prior to the release of Suicide Squad, Warner Bros. Pictures revealed plans for a spin-off centered on Harley Quinn alongside other female DC Comics heroes and villains, including the Birds of Prey. Margot Robbie returned to portray Harley Quinn and also took on the role of producer. In November, British screenwriter Christina Hodson was brought on board to pen the script. Robbie initially proposed the concept in 2015 as an R-rated female-led gang film, focusing on Harley’s dynamic with other characters rather than a solo narrative. She emphasized the importance of having a woman direct the project. Although Warner Bros. and DC Films explored multiple Harley Quinn-related films, Birds of Prey was the sole project with Robbie’s direct creative involvement.

Robbie dedicated three years to developing the film before Warner Bros. gave the green light for production. By April 2018, Cathy Yan was announced as director, marking her as the first Asian woman to lead a superhero movie. Yan approached the project with a mission to "smash the patriarchy." Robbie produced through her LuckyChap Entertainment company under a first-look arrangement with Warner Bros., joined by producers Sue Kroll and Bryan Unkless. Filming was planned for late 2018 or early 2019. The character Penguin was removed from the screenplay to prevent overlap with his appearance in The Batman. Similarly, Barbara Gordon / Batgirl was excluded due to plans for a separate film featuring her, also scripted by Hodson.

Pre-production

By July 2018, pre-production was underway. Robbie confirmed the film’s title as Birds of Prey, noting its unique tone compared to other DC films featuring Harley Quinn and mentioning a comparatively lean budget for a superhero feature. She highlighted a fresh costume design for Harley Quinn and stressed casting actors from diverse backgrounds. The Birds of Prey team comprised Black Canary, Huntress, Cassandra Cain, and Renee Montoya, while the antagonist was introduced as a new foe from Batman’s rogues gallery.

Casting efforts began in August, with Warner Bros. considering talents such as Alexandra Daddario, Jodie Comer, Blake Lively, and Vanessa Kirby for the roles of Huntress and Black Canary. That same month, it was confirmed that Black Mask would serve as the main villain. By September, actresses including Janelle Monáe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Jurnee Smollett-Bell were in contention for Black Canary, while candidates for Huntress included Sofia Boutella, Margaret Qualley, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Cristin Milioti. Additionally, Warner Bros. sought an Asian actress around 12 years old to portray Cassandra Cain.

Later in September, Smollett-Bell and Winstead were officially cast as Black Canary and Huntress respectively. The studio announced a release date set for February 7, 2020, with actors like Ewan McGregor and Sharlto Copley considered for Black Mask’s role. In October, director Cathy Yan confirmed the principal cast and revealed that the film would carry an R rating, highlighting its blend of dark comedy and themes of female empowerment. That month also saw cinematographer Matthew Libatique and actress Rosie Perez (playing Renee Montoya) join the production.

November brought on stunt coordinator Jonathan Eusebio and fight coordinator Jon Valera, along with McGregor cast as Black Mask and newcomer Ella Jay Basco selected to play Cassandra Cain. Robbie unveiled the complete title as Birds of Prey: The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn, capturing the film’s playful spirit. In December, production designer K. K. Barrett was added to the crew alongside cast members including Chris Messina portraying Victor Zsasz, as well as Steven Williams, Derek Wilson, Dana Lee, François Chau, Matthew Willig, Robert Catrini, and comedian Ali Wong.

Filming

The principal photography commenced in January 2019 in Los Angeles, California, operating under the provisional title Fox Force Five, a nod to a fictional television series featured in Pulp Fiction. Although initial plans called for shooting in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, the entire production was ultimately conducted in Los Angeles after securing a tax credit from California. The filming schedule aimed for completion by mid-April 2019. In February, Charlene Amoia was added to the cast lineup. Production concluded on April 15, 2019.

Post-production

Editing responsibilities were managed by Jay Cassidy and Evan Schiff, while visual effects were executed by Method Studios, Weta Digital, Luma Pictures, Image Engine, and Crafty Apes. Chad Stahelski directed reshoots in August 2019; his company 87eleven had previously contributed to the development of action sequences. Additional filming commenced on September 3, 2019.

Greg Hopwood, the costume concept artist, displayed costume design artwork at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2019.

Director Cathy Yan shared insights on post-production, expressing a wish for increased editorial influence but recognizing industry standards often restrict such control. She highlighted that filmmakers endeavor to ensure their vision is fully realized and that the final cut reflects their original creative intentions.

Music

In September 2019, Daniel Pemberton was confirmed as the composer responsible for the film’s score. The Original Motion Picture Score was released by WaterTower Music on February 14, 2020.

The soundtrack album, titled Birds of Prey: The Album, launched on February 7 through Atlantic Records to coincide with the movie’s release. To build anticipation, singles were sequentially issued each week prior to the premiere. "Diamonds" by Megan Thee Stallion and Normani was released on January 10; followed by "Joke's On You" by Charlotte Lawrence on January 17; and "Boss Bitch" by Doja Cat on January 24. The latter track earned critical acclaim, ranking as the 27th best song of 2020 according to Billboard in June and placing 12th on NME’s year-end list in December. On January 31, "Sway with Me" by Saweetie and GALXARA alongside "Experiment on Me" by Halsey were released; GALXARA’s solo rendition followed in May.

Several songs featured in the film did not appear on the official album, including "Black Betty" by Spiderbait, "I Hate Myself For Loving You" by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, "Barracuda" by Heart, and "Woman" by Kesha. Additionally, Robbie delivers a reinterpretation of Marilyn Monroe’s classic "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend" from the 1953 motion picture Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

Marketing

Promotional activities kicked off on January 21, 2019, when Warner Bros. unveiled a first-look behind-the-scenes video titled "See You Soon" via YouTube. On November 12, 2019, DC Comics released a trade paperback anthology inspired by the film as part of its marketing campaign. The initial teaser premiered exclusively in cinemas on September 5, 2019, before screenings of It: Chapter Two, featuring Harley Quinn dismissing clowns—a reference to both Pennywise and the Joker.

A brief teaser trailer announced the arrival of the official trailer set for October 1, 2019, accompanied by a collection of promotional posters. During Brazil’s CCXP on December 5, 2019, Birds of Prey hosted a panel presenting the first five minutes of footage and later released a second official trailer online on January 9, 2020.

To further boost promotion on release day, a three-day pop-up event named Harleywood took place at the Hollywood and Highland Center. This event featured appearances from cast members alongside live performances from soundtrack artists such as Charlotte Lawrence and Doja Cat, amplifying awareness for both the film and its accompanying music.

Release

Warner Bros. Pictures launched Birds of Prey in theaters throughout the United States on February 7, 2020, offering screenings in conventional formats as well as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, 4DX, and ScreenX. The film’s initial public showing took place on January 25, 2020, at Proyecto Publico Prim in Mexico City. This was followed by presentations at the BFI IMAX in London on January 29 and at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes on January 30, coinciding with a special event titled Le Festival de Quinn.

On February 10, 2020, several theater chains including AMC Theatres, Cinemark Theatres, and Regal Cinemas listed the movie under the name Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey. As reported by Screen Rant, this change was a directive from Warner Bros. aimed at highlighting Harley Quinn’s prominence. However, TheWrap clarified that the studio did not officially alter the title; instead, the alternate listing was intended for vendor and theater search functionalities only.

Home media

Warner Bros. Pictures announced on March 19 that Birds of Prey would be available for digital purchase and rental in the US and Canada through Premium VOD starting March 24. This release occurred just over a month following its theatrical debut, ahead of the usual 90-day window, a decision influenced by theater closures amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Another Warner Bros. title, The Way Back, adopted a comparable early digital launch strategy. In the United Kingdom, digital and VOD availability began on April 24, 2020. Physical media editions—including Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD, and DVD—were issued in North America on May 12, 2020. The movie became accessible on HBO Max starting August 15, 2020. Notably, in November 2021, HBO Max inadvertently replaced it with a censored version.

By April 28, 2023, domestic video sales of Birds of Prey had reached $31.2 million.

Box office

Worldwide, Birds of Prey accumulated $84.2 million within the United States and Canada and $121.2 million internationally, culminating in a global total of $205.5 million. Variety reported that the film required between $250 million and $300 million globally to break even.

Initial projections for its opening weekend in North America estimated earnings between $50 million and $55 million across 4,236 theaters. After grossing $13 million on its first day—including $4 million from Thursday night previews—expectations were revised downward, with an actual debut of $33 million. Although it secured first place at the box office that weekend, this represented the lowest opening for a DC film since Jonah Hex in 2010 and was approximately 75% less than the $133.4 million opening of Suicide Squad in 2016. Analysts attributed this underperformance to limited audience interest in a Harley Quinn-centric film, confusion caused by its title, and restrictions imposed by its R rating limiting potential viewers. In its second weekend, revenue declined by 48% to $17.1 million, placing second behind Sonic the Hedgehog. The third weekend saw a further drop of 59%, bringing in $7 million.

Internationally, expectations estimated an opening between $60 million and $70 million from 76 territories, aiming for a worldwide total between $110 million and $125 million. After two days across 51 countries, it earned $7.8 million; after three days globally, it reached $18.1 million. The international opening weekend totaled $46 million, contributing to a global opening of $79 million. Leading markets included Mexico ($4.6 million), Russia ($4 million), the UK ($3.9 million), Brazil ($2.8 million), and France ($2.7 million). The modest international performance was linked to similar audience hesitancy as seen domestically and theater closures in parts of Asia due to the pandemic.

Director Cathy Yan acknowledged the disappointing box office results and highlighted unrealistic expectations placed upon female-led films. She expressed frustration with narratives implying audiences are unprepared for such projects and emphasized the additional challenges she faced as a woman-of-color director.

Critical reception

The critical response to Birds of Prey was generally favorable. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating based on numerous reviews with an average score reflecting positive sentiment; critics noted that it brings a fresh approach paired with dynamic action sequences that embody Margot Robbie’s vibrant portrayal of Harley Quinn. On Metacritic, it carries a score of 60 out of 100 from critics indicating mixed or average reviews overall. Audience polling via CinemaScore awarded it a "B+" grade while PostTrak reported an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars with a recommendation rate of 61%.

Reviewers frequently commended Margot Robbie’s performance alongside Cathy Yan’s direction. Richard Roeper from the Chicago Sun-Times rated it three-and-a-half stars out of four, praising Robbie’s nuanced and humorous interpretation supported by Christina Hodson’s sharp scriptwriting. Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal described it as richly colorful and inventively violent with a strong female lead at its core. Matthew Monagle from The Austin Chronicle gave four stars out of five, noting how the film balances Harley Quinn’s chaotic spirit with cartoonish energy effectively. Nicole Ludden from The Arizona Republic highlighted Yan’s distinctive visual style that cohesively binds together the film’s energetic chaos.

Conversely, John DeFore of The Hollywood Reporter characterized it as an action-packed feature with thrilling sequences but critiqued its screenplay for lacking engaging dialogue exchanges. Owen Gleiberman writing for Variety labeled it "thin but lively," praising Robbie’s performance and Yan’s direction while pointing out weaknesses in the script's depth. Joshua Rivera from The Verge regarded it as "DC's first good action movie," though he felt character development was insufficient despite spirited performances.

In contrast, Mick LaSalle from the San Francisco Chronicle delivered a strongly negative review, criticizing both the film's existence and Robbie’s dual role as producer and lead actress.

Accolades

... [table continues unchanged] ...
Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result
Hollywood Critics Association Midseason Awards July 2, 2020 Best Picture Template:Nom
Best Actress Margot Robbie Template:Draw
Best Supporting Actor Ewan McGregor Template:Won
Best Supporting Actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead Template:Nom
Best Female Director Cathy Yan Template:Won
Best Adapted Screenplay Christina Hodson Template:Nom
People's Choice Awards November 15, 2020 The Movie of 2020 Template:Nom
The Action Movie of 2020 Template:Nom
The Female Movie Star of 2020 Margot Robbie Template:Nom
The Action Movie Star of 2020 Template:Nom
The Soundtrack Song of 2020 Doja Cat for "Boss Bitch" Template:Nom
American Music Awards November 22, 2020 Top Soundtrack 'Birds of Prey: The Album' Template:Won
IGN Awards December 15, 2020 Best Movie of the Year 2020 Template:Nom
Best Action Movie of 2020 Template:Won
Best Movie Ensemble of 2020 Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor Template:Nom
Best Movie Director in 2020 Cathy Yan Template:Nom

Related films

Margot Robbie returned as Harley Quinn in The Suicide Squad released in 2021. In April 2020, director Cathy Yan expressed interest in developing a sequel focusing on Harley Quinn’s dynamic with Poison Ivy. By February 2021, Robbie disclosed ongoing conversations with James Gunn—the director of The Suicide Squad—regarding another project centered on Harley Quinn. Both Robbie and Leslie Grace showed enthusiasm for a crossover featuring their characters Harley Quinn and Barbara Gordon / Batgirl—the latter being integral to Birds of Prey—whom Grace was set to portray in the ultimately canceled film Batgirl. As confirmed by Gunn in September 2022, future projects involving Robbie's portrayal of Quinn remain underway.

By August 2021, development had begun on a solo Black Canary spin-off for HBO Max, with Jurnee Smollett reprising her role as Lance and writer Misha Green attached to script the film. Set photographs indicated plans to include visual nods to Black Canary within the scrapped Batgirl production slated for release in 2022.

External links

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