Harley Quinn & Joker Are the Future of the DCEU

The DC Extended Universe is under heavy scrutiny following the poor reception to Justice League, both critically and financially. Rumors persisted that Warner Bros.' future slate would actually depend on that movie's performance and at Comic Con Experience 2017 in Sao Paulo, Brazil, an updated film lineup was provided.

This came after reports that a shake-up was imminent and immediately, a few omissions caught the eye. The movies revolving around Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) and Joker (Jared Leto) were among those removed: Gotham City Sirens, a Harley Quinn solo flick (with Robbie onboard as executive producer), Joker & Harley Quinn, and the Joker origin movie produced by Martin Scorsese.

Now, we know that David Ayer's Suicide Squad wasn't spectacular but it had some redeeming moments with these characters, more specifically those with Robbie's psychiatrist-turned-psycho killer. Leto's Joker, while polarizing, still had amazing chemistry with her and showed potential for future films. That's why, with Warner Bros. desperately searching for that formula to outdo Marvel Studios, it came as no surprise that this unconventional yet iconic pair was seen as part of the solution. Taking them off the slate, however, seems like a regressive move.

While being left out doesn't necessarily mean these films won't get made, there are a few reasons we believe the studio should push on with its Harley and Joker stories sooner rather than later, for the better of the DCEU.

They Expand the DCEU's Grounded Universe

Focusing on Harley and Joker would allow the DCEU to shift away from gods and aliens, and lean more towards its pool of (relatively) realistic characters. Harley did fight off the Enchantress and her supernatural monsters in Suicide Squad, but a grounded and street-level approach to both criminals has a lot more potential.

We're not sure if Suicide Squad 2 will deal with them being hunted by Amanda Waller's unit but what Warner Bros. can do in a separate corner of the DCEU is tie them to the Bat-family via stories there that are a bit more comic faithful. This would create high-profile entry points for Bruce Wayne's proteges such as Tim Drake (Robin), the Red Hood and Barbara Gordon's Batgirl, and allow us to see the Bat-family at work.

Stories involving Harley and Joker dealing with other DC mercenaries and gangsters to expand their criminal empire could also serve as a gateway, not just for upcoming Batman solo movies, but for other vigilantes such as Green Arrow, Black Canary and Huntress. The latter two can even team up with Batgirl to form the Birds of Prey as per the comics. As one can see, building around Harley and Joker could even pave the way for Nightwing and Deathstroke (both also left off the updated film slate) to appear.

Page 2:

DCEU Gets To Keep Its Dark Elements

Wonder Woman and Justice League allowed the DCEU the chance to tell inspirational superhero stories, course-correcting from the gritty, bleak ones that came before. However, some fans did actually enjoy these darker movies, namely Man of Steel, Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Suicide Squad.

That said, Warner Bros. is finally in a place to tell both kinds of stories; the light ones and the dark ones. This is where Harley and Joker fit in nicely. The concept of bitter, cynical superheroes didn't work for the DCEU because it just didn't feel natural, but with the Clown Prince of Crime and his murderous maiden, these unnerving tales are much more organic and true to the characters.

Take for example, a Joker solo film, which could see him crippling Batgirl or beating Jason Todd to death, leading to an eventual meeting with Lex Luthor's cabal of villains. In fact, if the DCEU wanted to go a step further, Joker's antics could even be R-rated. Such a move would help differentiate the DCEU from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and if done right, it may even garner similar success to what Fox achieved with Logan and Deadpool.

DCEU Gets To Keep Pushing Feminism

Harley has been objectified in comics, animation and on film, but we must remember that she has been taken advantage of mentally by Joker, and in this abusive relationship, she uses her sexuality as a tool and at times, a coping mechanism. The DCEU writers can explore this (hopefully in a film dedicated to them as a couple) and speak to women, addicted to such partnerships and struggling to escape. They can then build to Harley realizing she is an independent woman, finally walking out the door.

It's a different kind of feminist message than what Wonder Woman offered but it's one that's very real to a lot of women today. Documenting the abuse and this eventual triumph is also a relatable way of reminding women that they aren't as weak as they're made to believe and that they can be whole again. It's a touchy duality to explore but the payoff will be a massive statement against female oppression.

The DCEU can then shape Harley as a full-blown hero, which is where the Gotham City Sirens movie fits in. This would provide fellow femme fatales like Catwoman and Poison Ivy the chance to right the wrongs of the past just like Harley. Plus, an all-female team acting as heroes or anti-heroes is something you absolutely can't go wrong with. The DC Universe is filled with strong women and Harley's victory over Joker can help recruit more of them for this movement.