Despite Margot Robbie’s proven talent, DC Studios needs to recast Harley Quinn for the DCU. The DCU may be bringing back several DCEU actors, but the majority of DC heroes and villains are set to start from scratch in James Gunn’s franchise. Major characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman will be played by new actors, all with zero ties to the previous continuity.

Margot Robbie delivered one of the most memorable portrayals in the whole DCEU. Robbie’s Harley Quinn consistently stole the show across three movies. From Suicide Squad to Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad, Robbie redefined Harley Quinn for a generation while retaining the key elements that made Batman: The Animated Series‘ breakout character such an iconic addition to DC lore.

The DCU Needs A Fresh Harley Quinn For Its New Batman & Joker

While some DCEU characters like Peacemaker and Amanda Waller are returning, every part of the DCU’s Batman mythos needs a fresh start. Not only is the DCU’s Batman just as important as Superman, but Hollywood will also have two Gotham universes evolving concurrently. To avoid adding DCEU elements into the mix, every single Batman-related character may need to be updated for the DCU.

Margot Robbie has become too firmly entrenched as a symbol of the DCEU, comparable to Henry Cavill’s Superman and Ben Affleck’s Batman. While characters like Peacemaker and Blue Beetle also stood out, they entered late enough that transitioning them into the DCU feels natural. Robbie’s Harley had been one of the DCEU’s defining faces since 2016’s Suicide Squad.

Introducing a new Harley Quinn would ensure that the DCU can explore a brand-new Gotham without the need to accommodate or retcon previous ideas. Whatever Batman and the Joker’s DCU history looks like, it could be the full product of James Gunn and Andy Muschietti’s creativity. This original approach was key to Superman‘s success.

The Suicide Squad Would Retire Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn On A High Note

Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is one of the few DCEU characters who managed to complete a full and clearly-defined arc. Harley broke free from Jared Leto’s Joker, found a family in the Birds of Prey and Task Force X, evolved into an independent anti-hero, and learned she didn’t need external validation. Starting over in the DCU would be redundant for Margot Robbie.

Retconning Robbie’s Harley into the DCU would inevitably tether the character to her DCEU history. Yet, restarting Harley’s journey with the same actor risks undermining years of standout character growth. Like Superman, Harley Quinn‘s recast may be a tough task, but it might be the necessary step to move on.