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Warner Bros' Untitled Birds of Prey Project, headlined by Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, recently landed a February 7, 2020 release date, and now it looks like Robbie has her first co-star. Mary Elizabeth Winstead has landed the role of Helena Bertinelli a.k.a. Huntress, studio insiders revealed. Huntress is the Italian-born, anti-mafia vigilante known for her relentless, sometimes reckless, drive to avenge the murder of her entire family.
Winstead is coming off a strong few years with 10 Cloverfield Lane, FX's Fargo, and All About Nina, which is garnering her some awards buzz on the festival circuit. She will be seen next in Ang Lee's Gemini Man opposite Will Smith.
Last week, The Hollywood Reporter revealed a list of eight in-demand actresses up for the roles of Huntress, Black Canary, and Renee Montoya. Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Janelle Monae, and Jurnee Smollet-Bell are said to be vying for the role of Canary, while Justina Machado and Roberta Colindrez are in the running for Montoya. An additional round of testing is expected to take place this week to finalize the two roles. While it is unclear which new names are in the running for Black Canary, I am told that Michelle Rodriguez and Stephanie Beatriz may enter the mix for Montoya.
Rodriguez is coming off a strong performance in Steve McQueen’s Widows, the director's awaited follow-up to Best Picture winner 12 Years a Slave. Beatriz plays Detective Rosa Diaz on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, but given the extended season order from NBC, it is unclear if she will be available for the prep and shoot.
Once the adult members of the team have been cast, attention will turn to the roles of Cassandra Cain and Roman Sionis.
Winstead’s reps could not be reached for comment.
What do you think of Mary Elizabeth Winstead taking on the role of Huntress? Who would you like to see cast as Black Canary and Renee Montoya?