Early box office tracking for
Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) suggests that the Cathy Yan-helmed DC Comics movie will take in between $49 million and $55 million when it flies into theaters on February 7.
That doesn't sound like a huge amount when compared to the standard superhero blockbuster fare, but for an R-rated release that cost an estimated $97.1 million (before P&A) to make, it's nothing to be sniffed at.
Another TV spot for the movie has also found its way online. Quite a bit of the footage has carried over from the recently released trailer, but there are a few new shots of the ladies in action.
Check out the new spot below and let us know what you think. Are you planning on seeing Birds of Prey opening weekend?
For details from a recent round of
Birds of Prey set visits, simply click on the view list button below. Thanks to
/Film and
Collider for the quotes.
Simply click on the VIEW LIST (ONE PAGE) button below!
The Film "Exists In A Parallel Timeline"
Although
Birds of Prey clearly takes place after the events of
Suicide Squad, it doesn't sound like it's sticking to a rigid timeframe. In fact, Cathy Yan says it "exists in a parallel timeline."
The director probably doesn't mean that the movie is completely removed from the main DC Films Universe, of course, but if
Joker proved anything, it's that Warner Bros. isn't afraid of messing about with continuity, so we could well see a few significant retcons.
The Story Plays Out From Harley's "Twisted" Perspective
We already know that Harley Quinn will be the main focus the movie, but it's now been revealed that the world these characters inhabit will actually be informed by her "twisted" perspective - and HQ is a very unreliable narrator.
Through Harley's eyes, Gotham will be re-imagined with "bright colors and lively imagery, far removed from the gritty urban landscape of Suicide Squad, with a vibrant, almost animated heightened quality. "
“Harley obviously is very unique right? Her point of view on the world is very specific," said producer Sue Kroll.
"So imagine that you are looking at the world through her eyes and her rationale and reason… that’s where the spirit of the movie comes from.”
Birds of Prey Will Take Influence From Some Surprising Sources
Cathy Yan has already mentioned that BOP will be influenced by
The Professional (aka Leon) to an extent, but the director has now revealed that her film will also borrow elements from Quentin Tarantino's
Pulp Fiction and Akira Kurosawa’s classic
Rashomon when it comes to its narrative structure, and the visual style of Stanley Kubrick's
A Clockwork Orange.
"Yeah, I mean, there’s a lot of influences on the film. I mean, the way that I sort of talked about the structure of the film is a bit like Pulp Fiction meets Rashomon. So it’s an unconventional structure. For me, there’s a lot of my favorite filmmakers that have influences on this film, so like Tarantino, obviously. The Professional for sure, especially the relationship between Harley and Cass. We actually have a few like, oh I guess I would say like odes to certain films in the movie. Watch out for that. And then also just – we also, visually, I think very much influenced by A Clockwork Orange as well."
Huntress Influenced Margot Robbie's Original Pitch
In addition to starring as Harley Quinn, Margot Robbie produced the movie and actually pitched the idea to the studio after
Suicide Squad.
During a new interview, the Aussie actress revealed that Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) was one of the main reasons for her wanting to get the project off the ground.
“It really started with Huntress,” Robbie explained.
“I just loved Huntress, and with my initial pitch on the story, I said I wanted to keep it quite contained, get no bigger, and no world-ending stakes. Like the stakes were as big as perhaps mafia level or gang level+."
Yes, It Will Be Rated R
Although we pretty much knew this already, we now have confirmation that
Birds of Prey will indeed carry an R-rating.
One reporter said they witnessed at least 5 f-bombs while watching one particular scene being filmed.
Don't Expect To See Batgirl
Although
Batgirl is integral to the team in the comics and Cassandra Cain actually took up the mantle after Barbara Gordon, it doesn't sound like we'll be meeting any incarnation of the
other Caped Crusader in
Birds of Prey.
“You’ll not see Batgirl,” said Sue Kroll.
“Just gonna say ‘No.’”
This isn't particularly surprising, of course, as WB still has a solo
Batgirl movie in the works - but that hasn't stopped some fans from expressing disappointment that one of the core members of the original comic book trio won't be putting in an appearance.
Margot Robbie As Harley Quinn
Cathy Yan Directs Robbie And Rosie Perez