James Gunn Says Harley Quinn Is Likely in the DC Universe, but Margot Robbie's Return Is Unsettled

James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, says Harley Quinn is almost certain to appear in his DC Universe. He is less sure that Margot Robbie will be the one to play her. He made the remarks on his podcast, The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon?, as Deadline reported on 29 October 2026.

The podcast takes fan questions about which characters from earlier DC films will carry over into Gunn's new universe. Harley Quinn, the criminal psychiatrist turned villain, drew one of the harder ones. Gunn said she is among the more difficult characters to justify as canon, meaning part of the official story, in the new setup.

Robbie first played Harley in Suicide Squad in 2016. She returned in Birds of Prey in 2020, and then in Gunn's own The Suicide Squad in 2021. Gunn said he loves her in the role and counts her among his favourite actors to work with. He also said he does not know whether she wants to play Harley again, and that she may be over the part.

If Robbie does want to return, Gunn said he would "bend over backwards" to explain her presence in the new universe. If she does not, he might cast someone else. He did not name a replacement.

The Joker has not yet been established in the DC Universe, Gunn said. The only character so far set up in the new line-up is Batman, through a cameo in the animated series Creature Commandos. That leaves a lot of open questions for fans about who will appear next.

Gunn has also spoken about other characters from the earlier films. In August 2025, Entertainment Weekly reported that he wants to bring back Idris Elba as Bloodsport, the marksman from The Suicide Squad.

For now, the Harley question is open. Gunn has not announced a casting decision, and Robbie has not publicly said whether she will return.