Margot Robbie surprised Colin Farrell by revealing the Penguin was initially planned as the main villain in the 2020 film Birds of Prey. Robbie shared that director Matt Reeves requested the character be removed because he wanted to use him in The Batman. This led to the villain being changed to Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor. The original script by Christina Hodson featured the Penguin as the central antagonist. Robbie described the unused version as amazing during an interview with Farrell.
Robbie and Farrell discussed the topic while promoting their new film A Big Bold Beautiful Journey. Farrell seemed shocked by the revelation and asked if he could read the original script. Robbie confirmed she still had a copy and would let him see it. The change happened because Reeves was developing his Batman project and wanted to keep the Penguin for his own story. Birds of Prey was already in development before Reeves joined The Batman.
The first draft of Birds of Prey was written in November 2016. Matt Reeves was hired for The Batman in February 2017. Although Birds of Prey started production first, Reeves made his request early enough for the writers to switch villains. Colin Farrell had not yet been cast as the Penguin when this change occurred. He would later play the character in The Batman and the spin-off series The Penguin.
“The first draft that Christina [Hodson] wrote of Birds of Prey, the villain was the Penguin. And then [director/writer] Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing.’ And so we swapped it to Black Mask [played by Ewan McGregor].”
Why the Penguin Was Removed from the Harley Quinn Film
Matt Reeves wanted to use the Penguin in his Batman universe. He asked the Birds of Prey team to choose a different villain. This decision was made to avoid conflicting versions of the character. The Batman and Birds of Prey were scheduled to be released just one year apart. Warner Bros. likely wanted to prevent audience confusion.
Reeves planned to focus on Gotham City’s criminal underworld. The Penguin was a key part of that vision. Colin Farrell’s portrayal of the character later received critical acclaim. The Penguin series on HBO Max further expanded his story. Birds of Prey proceeded with Black Mask as the main villain instead.
The film introduced Roman Sionis, also known as Black Mask. He is a brutal crime lord who becomes the target of Harley Quinn and her team. Ewan McGregor played the role with a mix of cruelty and charm. The change did not significantly alter the overall plot of Birds of Prey. However, the tone and dynamics might have been different with the Penguin.
“Oh, good, I’d love to [read it]. That’d be so fascinating.”
What the Original Birds of Prey Script Might Have Included
The original script by Christina Hodson featured the Penguin as the primary antagonist. Margot Robbie teased that the version was amazing. She did not provide specific details about the plot. However, the Penguin is one of Batman’s most iconic foes. He is known for his cunning mind and criminal empire.
In the comics, the Penguin operates in Gotham City as a sophisticated gangster. He often uses his nightclub, the Iceberg Lounge, as a front for illegal activities. Birds of Prey could have explored his rivalry with Harley Quinn. The film might have included references to Batman or other Gotham characters. Robbie’s Harley Quinn and the Penguin have yet to share the screen in a live-action project.
Colin Farrell expressed interest in reading the unused script. He seemed curious about how his character would have been portrayed. The Penguin has appeared in various Batman media over the years. Danny DeVito played him in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns. Robin Lord Taylor portrayed a younger version in the television series Gotham.
“We’ve done so much talking, and I don’t think we’ve ever [discussed that]. That’s so weird.”
How Birds of Prey Performed at the Box Office
Birds of Prey was released in theaters on February 7, 2020. The film earned $205 million worldwide against an $82 million budget. It received positive reviews from critics but underperformed financially. The break-even point was estimated between $250 million and $300 million. The COVID-19 pandemic may have affected its box office run.
The movie featured Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. She joined forces with Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya. Together, they saved a young girl from Black Mask. The film was noted for its colorful style and action sequences. It served as a follow-up to Suicide Squad and a precursor to The Suicide Squad.
Despite the box office numbers, Birds of Prey developed a dedicated fan base. Many appreciated its focus on female characters and themes of independence. The change in villain did not significantly impact critical reception. The film holds a 79% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Audience scores were similarly positive at 78%.
Margot Robbie’s Future as Harley Quinn in the DC Universe
Margot Robbie has played Harley Quinn in three films. These include Suicide Squad, Birds of Prey, and The Suicide Squad. She has not yet been confirmed to return in the new DC Universe. James Gunn, who directed The Suicide Squad, now leads DC Studios. He mentioned that Robbie’s future as Harley Quinn will be revealed later.
Robbie stated that she has not been approached about returning to the role. She expressed deep love for the character and hopes to see other actresses play her. Harley Quinn remains one of DC’s most popular characters. She first appeared in Batman: The Animated Series and quickly became a fan favorite.
“I’ve heard nothing. You can’t get sick of Harley. I love her so deeply. I always had high hopes for her like Batman. A character that lives on long after I’ve had a go at it.”
James Gunn has retained some actors from the previous DC films. Viola Davis continues as Amanda Waller, and John Cena remains as Peacemaker. Jason Momoa transitioned from Aquaman to Lobo. It is unclear if Robbie will be part of this new universe. Gunn praised her performance in The Suicide Squad but has not confirmed any plans.
“I haven’t talked to Margot about Harley for a long time. But I’d love to work with her again as Harley or as someone else.”
The Batman Universe and the Penguin’s Popularity
Matt Reeves’ The Batman was released in 2022. It starred Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne and Colin Farrell as the Penguin. The film focused on a younger Batman and his early years fighting crime. Farrell’s performance was widely praised, though he was heavily disguised under makeup.
The Penguin received his own spin-off series on HBO Max. It explored the character’s rise to power in Gotham’s criminal underworld. The show was a critical success and expanded the world of The Batman. A sequel, The Batman Part II, is scheduled for release in October 2027. Farrell will reprise his role as Oswald Cobblepot.
The Batman exists separately from the new DC Universe. James Gunn refers to it as the Batman Epic Crime Saga. It includes The Batman, The Penguin series, and the upcoming sequel. This allows Reeves to continue his vision without connection to other DC films. The decision to reserve the Penguin for this universe proved successful.
Colin Farrell mentioned that he is excited to return for the sequel. He confirmed that he would soon read the script and begin filming. The actor praised Matt Reeves for his meticulous approach to storytelling. The Batman Part II is expected to delve deeper into Gotham’s corruption and villainy.
“I’ll be getting into the script, I think, this week, and I’ll be there for however long. I don’t have many scenes, I don’t believe, but I’ll be there for whatever. Matt Reeves is so brilliant. I don’t know what the story is yet.”
Credits: GamesRadar, MovieWeb, Variety
