The Birds of Prey are coming together for Margot Robbie’s new DC Extended Universe movie. Several high profile actresses have reportedly auditioned for key roles, which may be filled within the next two weeks.
Via The Hollywood Reporter, the two biggest parts currently up for grabs are Black Canary and Huntress. Both heroines are teammates on the Birds of Prey. While the New 52 reboot introduced an African-American Huntress, Warner Bros. is apparently flipping the ethnicity of the two characters. Black Mirror and Belle actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw is one of the leading contenders for Black Canary. Underground‘s Jurnee Smolett-Bell is also competing for the role. Hidden Figures‘ Janelle Monae may also be in pursuit of the part.
Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World), Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers), and Cristin Milioti (How I Met Your Mother) are reportedly the leading candidates for Huntress. In her earliest appearances, Huntress was Helena Wayne, the daughter of Batman and Catwoman. During the ’80s, Huntress was re-imagined as Helena Bertinelli, the daughter of a mob boss. Helena became a brutal vigilante after the death of her family.
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Rene Montoya is also one of the leading characters in the Birds of Prey movie. However, it’s unclear if Montoya will be the vigilante known as The Question. In the comics, Montoya is an openly gay police detective who was once in a relationship with Batwoman, Justina Machado (One Day at a Time) and Roberta Colindrez (I Love Dick) are said to be competing for the role.
Cassandra Cain, the pre-New 52 Batgirl, is also being cast. However, the Birds of Prey movie is re-envisioning the nearly mute assassin turned heroine as a 12-year old girl. No candidates for the role were mentioned in THR’s report. However, it did mention that Asian actresses are being sought for Cassandra Cain. In the current continuity, Cain has taken on the identity of Orphan, a young heroine under the watchful eye of Batman and his allies.
Cathy Yen is lined up to direct Birds of Prey, which may begin filming either later this year or in 2019.
Which actresses do you want to see as the Birds of Prey heroines? Let us know in the comment section below!
