Margot Robbie Says The Penguin Was BIRDS OF PREY's Original Villain (And Reveals Why He Was Replaced)

Margot Robbie Says The Penguin Was BIRDS OF PREY's Original Villain (And Reveals Why He Was Replaced)

The Suicide Squad star Margot Robbie reveals that The Penguin was supposed to be Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)'s villain, and explains why Black Mask replaced him.

News
By JoshWilding - Aug 22, 2025 11:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Birds of Prey
Source: Entertainment Weekly

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) opened in February 2020. While it underperformed from the start, COVID-19 meant we never got to see what the Suicide Squad spin-off was truly capable of at the box office.

The movie received positive reviews (it's "Certified Fresh" at 79% on Rotten Tomatoes), and pitted Harley Quinn against an extremely sinister villain in Ewan McGregor's Black Mask. However, it turns out that she was originally going to face Ozwald Cobblepot, a.k.a. The Penguin. 

Talking to Entertainment Weekly about their new film, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey, Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell admitted that they hadn't previously discussed their respective DC roles. It was then that Robbie confirmed that The Penguin was removed from the movie's script due to Matt Reeves' plans for him in 2022's The Batman.

Here's an excerpt from the interview: 

Robbie: "Did we ever talk about Harley and the Penguin?" 

Farrell: "I don't believe so. I don't think it came up once. No, we never mentioned, never spoke about it at all."

Robbie: "We've done so much talking, and I don't think we've ever [discussed that]. That's so weird. 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]." [Birds of Prey's The Penguin was] amazing."

Looking back at Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey—the new title it was given after a so-so opening weekend—it's easy to see how The Penguin and his Iceberg Lounge once factored into the movie. 

While DC Studios has since launched, we can't help but wonder whether The Batman Part II and The Brave and the Bold will run into similar issues, especially if there are plans for them to use the same villains.

Hush is currently expected to take centre stage in Reeves' sequel, though we've also heard that Robin could make his Batverse debut. If so, what does that mean for Batman's planned DCU team-up with his son, Damian Wayne? That remains to be seen. 

Asked if Robbie could reprise her role as Harley Quinn in the DCU, Gunn recently said, "That will be revealed down the line." He added, "I definitely am always looking for a place to put [Idris Elba's] Bloodsport and figuring that out. So we'll see what happens."

The Batman Part II is set to be released in theaters on October 1, 2027.

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bobevanz
bobevanz - 8/22/2025, 11:20 AM
Black Mask died so Penguin could soar. The egg sandwich was the best part of this movie
TheLobster
TheLobster - 8/22/2025, 11:24 AM
@bobevanz - that and The Huntress.
MisterBones
MisterBones - 8/22/2025, 11:36 AM
@bobevanz - lmao the egg sandwich scene really is the best thing
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 8/22/2025, 12:53 PM
@bobevanz - I loved the film. probably more than I should, but I did
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 5:25 AM
@MisterBones - I think it's a thing that is more annoying of a scene and thing, to me.
tmp3
tmp3 - 8/22/2025, 11:28 AM
Ewan was fun as Black Mask, but if the BoP take on Penguin was a similarly bitchy/vein/broad campy villain then I’m really happy Reeves won out. Doesn’t hold a candle to what Matt/LeFranc/Colin did with the character, and Farrell deserves every award going his way for his incredible performance as Oz. Feels character defining in the same way that Ledger was to Joker, and easily one of the greatest CB villain performances of all time. That show was just a great character study throughout, and almost feels like a minor miracle that they pulled it off the way that they did
tmp3
tmp3 - 8/22/2025, 11:32 AM
Honestly feel like if Penguin was in BoP it would have cemented him as a lower-tier Batman villain, whereas Reeves/Farrell solidified him as a top 3 Batman villain of all time in just two goes
Slotherin
Slotherin - 8/22/2025, 11:40 AM
@tmp3 - definitely a respectable take on the character. Not sure if I'd agree as a top 3 but it was one which elevated the character for me and really impressed for sure.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/22/2025, 6:04 PM
@tmp3 - It's funny because Penguin used to be the number 1 bat-villain above even Joker. It wasn't really until the eighties that Joker was undoubtedly Batman's arch-nemesis.

But yeah I think you're right that the character of Black Mask that we saw was probably what they had in mind for Penguin. I mean they basically had him running the Iceberg lounge but with a different name.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 5:21 AM
@tmp3 - How does that contradict the character of Penguin?
MuadDib
MuadDib - 8/22/2025, 11:29 AM
What a trash movie that was, it was just another nail in the coffin of what was once the DCEU.

Should she still play Harley? Idk, idc, Harley really shouldn’t be a main character either way, she’s Jokers side chick. Keep it that way and focus on the main villains who need the screen time to really establish themselves.

Slotherin
Slotherin - 8/22/2025, 11:37 AM
@MuadDib - Harley's grown so much from Joker though, a move even supported by her creators and one embraced in a large enough portion from her fanbase that to say she should always be with Joker is like saying Grayson should never be Nightwing. It's a cemented and embraced aspect of their character arcs.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/22/2025, 11:40 AM
@MuadDib - she hasn’t been portrayed as jokers sidekick for a long time. Just like dick Grayson is no longer Robin. I personally like when characters don’t stay stagnant and evolve as characters.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 8/22/2025, 12:54 PM
@MuadDib - yeah, but Harley Halloween costumes sell well to teenage girls
Baf
Baf - 8/22/2025, 2:29 PM
@epc1122 - User Comment Image
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/22/2025, 2:42 PM
@Baf - yes, so?
Baf
Baf - 8/22/2025, 4:18 PM
@epc1122 - Just example of an evolving character. Your words motivated me to look up a character I followed through his evolution.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/22/2025, 4:43 PM
@Baf - I don’t think this was a version of a character that evolved where people generally liked so I wasn’t sure if this post was in good faith or trying to prove some point that character evolution doesn’t work. Admittedly, I don’t think every character evolution has resonated with the audience but i don’t think creators should stop from trying to tell stories where characters grow or even if characters turn to villains, or have villains turn good. Not judging, but did you like this version of guy Gardner?
MuadDib
MuadDib - 8/22/2025, 7:55 PM
@Slotherin - Your not wrong, but I was specifically referring to the movies, where screen time is limited. Developing the main villain is almost always going to be a better use of time over a sidekick or henchman even if that side character has grown in popularity in the comics. Harley got popular and some extra attention bc Margot Robbie is a hottie, not bc Harley is that interesting of a character.
Baf
Baf - 8/22/2025, 9:39 PM
@epc1122 - Guy Gardner got me into the golden age of comics and made me a GL fan. I followed this entire series. One of the most under rated books in that series was Guy Gardner #3. It was just pictures. No words, until the end panel. Hysterical! Showed how expressive Gardner could be. Just great art and a great redeeming arc for Gardner. I know it never took off, but it was a fun ride. Kind of in the vein of the Lobo comics of the time. It had its place. So yes, on the good faith. I was merely bringing an old favorite to light.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 4:19 AM
@Baf - then I apologize if my post came off as defensive. Without context and with how some people can be on here, I wasn’t sure but I’m glad
that you posted that because it really does show how subjective comics and media can be. Some people dont particularly care for this version, or Superman 25, or man of steel and no one is really right or wrong. The creators and the studios really just want to bring new fans (in reality to just make money but it is what it is) but I’m glad this version of the character got you into comics because, to me comics are pretty special. Sorry again and thanks for bringing to light one of your favorites! 😊
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 5:17 AM
@epc1122 - But the movie skipped over that story to me.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 5:19 AM
@epc1122 - That also doesn't mean she works as a main character, to me, like this.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 5:37 AM
@dagenspear - can you please clarify?
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 5:41 AM
@dagenspear - well even if she doesn’t work as a main character for you, she still hasn’t been a side character in quite some time. Are there side characters who have become leads that has resonated with you? Cyborg, Nightwing, and Deadpool are a few characters that come to mind but I’m not sure if there are too many.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 7:32 AM
@epc1122 - I didn't say she was a sidekick. That doesn't mean she works as the main character of a movie, to me, especially one that has her overshadow characters that have their own stories beyond her, even being made into a non version of themselves just to fit into her mold. Like Cassandra Cain as a specific example.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 7:39 AM
@epc1122 - The movie skipped over her arc of getting away from her abuser in favor of a goofy romp that has them break up and her have to make her way in the city.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 8:06 AM
@dagenspear - oh ok, thanks for the clarification. For the record I didn’t really care for the movie but it had nothing really to do Margot Robbie or Harley Quinn being the lead rather than just being jokers sidekick. I just found the movie boring. I have not seen it in awhile though. They did change Cassandra Caines character a bit which is what I think you may have had more of a problem with.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 8:10 AM
@dagenspear - I just remember the movie having s lot of problems. I preferred Harley Quinn both versions of the suicide squad movies but admittedly, they weren’t my favorite movies either. I think Harley Quinn works as a lead, but just hasn’t been in a good movie for me. I actually like the Harley Quinn tv show where she’s the lead, albeit with poison ivy but I think that show works where she’s not just one of jokers henchman.
Baf
Baf - 8/23/2025, 2:21 PM
@epc1122 - No need to apologize. Especially on this site. With no context I can see how you might feel that way. I tend to post that way anyway...my flaw. However, I am glad you said something. I agree with you completely that new versions are never wrong, just a creative choice. These are literary characters that are interpreted subjectively. To clarify, he brought me back to comics. I used to read them during the Silver Age, innocently. When I got older, I was intrigued by a Guy vs Hal ring sling and since then, I followed the Modern Age Lanterns. (I incorrectly said Golden age in my last post). Guy, Hal, and John all had amazing character growth in the Modern Age. As a Hal super fan, I kind of dropped out when Kyle came along but loved Rayner's first few books. I don't read them anymore, but I love to watch the way they are depicted in the movies. Some better than others, but like we said, subjective.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 3:00 PM
@Baf - is green lantern your favorite character? When I started reading comics it was around the time Kyle Rayner was created and I couldn’t believe they turned Hal Jordan into a villain. It’s stories like that, that I kind of like. For those times it was new, now if a good guy becomes a villain it’s not as surprising. Especially since in general it will go back. I’m always surprised, even though I shouldn’t be that people have such a difficult time with change. Change can be difficult but these are just characters and stories 🤷‍♂️
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 3:01 PM
@epc1122 - To me, a lead, maybe. But I think the movie tried to make her the lead over anyone else. I don't know why they did this, or why they used Birds Of Prey for whatever reason to do it, instead of making her a co lead within the Gotham City Sirens, which I think makes way more sense character and tone wise to me.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 3:10 PM
@epc1122 - I do think that Harley works more as a character in the first SS movie, as I think that's the only movie to hit the main character aspects of her, however flawed they do it. The dramatic root kinda tragic element of the character, the twisted ness, and the playful goofy element. I think that movie didn't hit a big enough aspect of her tragedy, but I think the idea has more potential than what all the movies do, which is just to basically make her kooky crazy girl.

For me Cassandra Cain is one aspect of it, though I think she is the most effected as a character from over all. The whole Birds Of Prey being basically her sidekicks and kinda built around her, kinda putting them together I think was lame to me and didn't make much sense for me. I think Gotham City Sirens is like right there to me.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 3:18 PM
@dagenspear - I think they wanted her as the lead because Margot Robbie is a draw. Even though it was supposed to be an ensemble. I do agree that Gotham sirens would have suited the movie better but that’s more semantics. I think the movie would have had the same issues regardless of the title
Of the movie.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 3:21 PM
@dagenspear - do you mean the first or second suicide squad? I just didn’t really care for birds of
Prey. I would rather see a live action version from the Harley Quinn show from hbo max.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 5:13 PM
@epc1122 - With the mindset of making her the sole lead, maybe. But I think it could've fit more if it was an actual ensemble with them.
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 5:14 PM
@epc1122 - First movie. Second one leaned more into the kooky side without really exploring her more dramatic and darker edges, to me.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 5:39 PM
@dagenspear - have you seen the Harley Quinn cartoon?
dagenspear
dagenspear - 8/23/2025, 9:02 PM
@epc1122 - A bit. But even in some of those cases I think they invent reasons to make her fit for that show. Particularly as it's its own thing and story and not connected to anything.
epc1122
epc1122 - 8/23/2025, 9:04 PM
@dagenspear - i don’t think it’s perfect but I find most things aren’t. I do like this interpretation and would be interested in a live action version of this 👍
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