Margot Robbie has played Harley Quinn in three DC films, but the door to the new DC Universe is not fully closed. James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, said on a new podcast that he would “bend over backwards” to explain Robbie’s Harley in the rebooted timeline if she wants to return. However, Gunn also admitted he is not sure Robbie has any interest in playing the character again. The comments arrived during a special episode of The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? The Official Podcast, released on October 29, 2026, where Gunn and co-hosts Jennifer Holland and Steve Agee discussed which parts of the 2021 film remain part of the new DCU canon. Robbie, meanwhile, told Variety earlier that she has “heard nothing” from DC Studios about a return, adding that she loves Harley “so deeply” but would be fine with someone else taking over.
What James Gunn Said About Margot Robbie and Harley Quinn
On the podcast, Gunn confirmed that The Suicide Squad is largely canon to the DCU, with one asterisk: the future of Harley Quinn. “Harley is actually one of the more difficult things in this to justify as being canon in the DCU,” Gunn said, pointing out that the Joker has not yet been established in the new universe, and Harley’s history is closely tied to him.
Gunn then praised Robbie directly. “Margot Robbie is one of my favorite actors to work with. She is so good in the movie. She’s so crazy. I love her as Harley,” he said. But he added a note of doubt: “I don’t know if she wants to play Harley again. She may be over that”.
The DC Studios head also acknowledged how much Robbie’s career has grown since The Suicide Squad. “She’s kind of the biggest female star in the world,” Gunn said, referencing her work in Babylon, Barbie, and Wuthering Heights.
“Harley is a character I’m almost certainly going to use in the DCU, and if Margot wants to play her, then I’ll bend over backwards to explain that in the world. But if she doesn’t, then I might go with somebody else, where I don’t have to be attached to what happens to Harley in this movie.”
Gunn went a step further on the podcast, suggesting that Robbie’s decision could shape how much of The Suicide Squad stays canon. “What I’m saying is Margot is the one who has to decide whether or not Suicide Squad is canon,” he said with a laugh.
Margot Robbie Has Heard Nothing About a DCU Return
Robbie’s own comments paint a picture of an actress who is open to Harley but not actively pushing for a comeback. Speaking to Variety in August 2025, she said she has “heard nothing” from James Gunn or DC Studios about reprising the role in the new universe.
“Never. You can’t get sick of Harley. I love her so deeply. I always had high hopes for her, like Batman.”
Robbie also told Variety that she would be fine with another actress playing Harley. “I feel like I need to share Harley,” she said, indicating that she does not see the role as exclusively hers.
Why Harley Quinn Is Tricky for the New DCU
The canon problem comes down to the Joker. In the old DCEU, Robbie’s Harley debuted in 2016’s Suicide Squad alongside Jared Leto as the Joker. She returned in 2020’s Birds of Prey and 2021’s The Suicide Squad, directed by Gunn. The new DCU, which launched with the animated series Creature Commandos and continued with Superman starring David Corenswet, has not yet introduced its own Joker or its own Batman beyond a brief animated cameo.
Without a Joker in the new timeline, Gunn has to decide whether Robbie’s Harley carries over from the old movies or whether the character gets a fresh start with a new actress. He compared the situation to other characters from The Suicide Squad who have already moved into the DCU, such as Peacemaker and Amanda Waller.
A Look at Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn History
Robbie first played Harley Quinn in 2016’s Suicide Squad, a film that received poor reviews but became a box office success. Her performance was widely singled out as a highlight, and she became the first live-action Harley Quinn in a major movie.
She returned in 2020’s Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), which gave the character her own story. 2021’s The Suicide Squad, written and directed by Gunn, featured Robbie as part of an ensemble cast that included Idris Elba, John Cena, and Margot Robbie in a lead role.
Since The Suicide Squad, Robbie has starred in Damien Chazelle’s Babylon, Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, and Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights. She is also set to star in Tim Burton’s Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman, which could make her schedule tight for a Harley return.
Fan Reactions: Keep Margot, Recast the Joker
DC fans have made their preference clear on social media. When a reference to The Suicide Squad appeared in Episode 6 of Lanterns in September 2026, fans renewed calls for Robbie to return. One user, @harsh662894151, wrote that Robbie is “literally the perfect Quinn and still has another 10 years in her.” Another, @dc_fan24, said, “I think they should keep Margot, just recast joker”.
A third fan, @CrusanLucious, was more direct: “She BETTER BE or else I’m gonna riot”.
The Lanterns reference confirmed that the Starro attack from The Suicide Squad happened in the new DCU continuity, which keeps Robbie’s Harley as a possible part of the timeline.
What the Podcast Confirmed About The Suicide Squad Canon
The podcast episode, released on Spotify on October 29, 2026, was a one-off special hosted by Gunn with Jennifer Holland (Emilia Harcourt) and Steve Agee (John Economos) from Peacemaker. The trio went through The Suicide Squad character by character to decide what counts in the new DCU.
Gunn ultimately declared that the film is canon, calling it “the first canon film in the DCU.” He did, however, ask fans for “a little leeway” on Harley Quinn’s exact status until Robbie’s decision is clear.
“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. But other than that, I think that we can pretty much say the entire movie is canon.”
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The Decision Rests With Robbie
For now, the Harley Quinn situation is a waiting game. James Gunn has made his position clear: the character will appear in the DCU, and Margot Robbie is his first choice. Robbie has made her affection for Harley clear, but she has not been approached by DC Studios about a return. The ball is in her court, and Gunn is prepared to either write her into the new universe or move forward with a different actress.
The full podcast episode is available on Spotify and HBO Max, with the official release set for Friday, October 30, 2026.
Stay on VvipTimes for clear, fact-checked updates on the DCU and the stars who shape it.
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