Margot Robbie recently shared a revealing detail about the making of Birds of Prey, explaining that the film’s antagonist was initially meant to be Oswald Cobblepot, also known as the Penguin. This plan changed after director Matt Reeves intervened to secure the character for his upcoming film, The Batman.
How Matt Reeves Redirected the Penguin to His Own Project
During an interview with Colin Farrell in Entertainment Weekly, Robbie disclosed that the first script draft by Christina Hodson featured the Penguin as the main villain. Farrell, who later portrayed Oswald Cobblepot in Reeves’ The Batman and the forthcoming The Penguin series on Max, expressed surprise at this revelation. Robbie explained that Reeves requested the filmmakers not to use the Penguin for Birds of Prey, stating,
The first draft that Christina [Hodson] wrote of Birds of Prey, the villain was the Penguin,
and
And then [director/writer] Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing,’
she said. As a result, the villain was changed to Black Mask, brought to life by Ewan McGregor in the film.
The Impact of Swapping Penguin for Black Mask on the Story
This change led to a different dynamic for Harley Quinn‘s solo story. While Black Mask’s extravagant, flamboyant villainy provided an effective counterpoint to Harley’s unpredictable persona, fans often wonder how the film might have played out with the Penguin as the central foe. At the time Birds of Prey entered post-production, Colin Farrell had not yet been cast as Penguin, which raises questions about who Hodson and director Cathy Yan might have pictured for the role originally.
The Penguin and Harley Quinn Across Different Media
Though the two characters never confronted each other in a live-action setting, they have met in the animated world. The Penguin appeared as an adversary in the adult animated Harley Quinn series, where Wayne Knight provided his voice. However, audiences have yet to witness Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Farrell’s Penguin sharing scenes, leaving their on-screen interaction a matter of speculation.
The Future of Harley Quinn and Oswald Cobblepot in the DC Universe
Robbie’s continued role as Harley Quinn remains uncertain. James Gunn has mentioned that plans concerning her return in the new DC Universe will be disclosed eventually, while Robert Pattinson’s Batman storyline is being developed separately. Whether Harley Quinn and Oswald Cobblepot will cross paths in the evolving DCU landscape is still an open question.
One Director’s Vision Shifted Birds of Prey Villain and Story Direction
The decision by Matt Reeves to reserve the Penguin for The Batman significantly altered the course of Birds of Prey, leading to a change of villain and reshaping the film’s narrative. This behind-the-scenes turn highlights how director involvement can impact character use and story direction within the shared Gotham universe, affecting fans’ expectations and the roles of beloved characters.
