Jurnee Smollett opened up about the racially charged backlash she received after being cast as Black Canary in Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
While speaking with THR, Smollett first discussed the long audition process she had to endure before being officially cast as Black Canary/Dinah Lance, which would also include multiple "chemistry reads." Smollett would eventually get the role, with Birds of Prey producer/star Margot Robbie saying, "We saw hundreds of actors for her role, and so many did incredible auditions, but when you saw Jurnee, it just drove everyone else out of your mind."
While many people were happy with Smollett's casting, some took issue with her race, given that Black Canary is white in the comics. "It brought a rage out inside of me, which was great for Canary," Smollett said. However, Smollett's performance would receive plenty of praise following Birds of Prey's release, including some from Birds of Prey comic writer Gail Simone and DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee.
You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.
Directed by Cathy Yan and written by Christina Hodson, Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) stars Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco and Ewan McGregor. The film is now available on Digital HD, Blu-ray, 4K Ultra HD and DVD.