2019's Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey (as it came to be known after the original title proved too confusing for moviegoers) was a hit with critics, but not at the box office. While the movie didn't exactly flop, it vastly underperformed, leaving the future of its female superheroes very much in doubt.
Many fans also took issue with the portrayal of this team, with Batgirl's absence, a very different take on Cassandra Cain, and a comedic Huntress among their list of complaints.
Since then, we've heard that there are still plans for at least some of these characters, including Jurnee Smollett’s Dinah Lance, a.k.a. Black Canary. The actor was set to return in a Black Canary movie on HBO Max, but in the wake of Batgirl's cancellation and Warner Bros. Discovery's move away from streaming titles, is it still going to happen?
According to TV Line, yes.
A spokesperson for Warner Bros. Pictures tells the site "that the Black Canary standalone movie that was first announced a year ago remains in development at the streamer."
This is very surprising, especially when all signs point to a shift away from making DC movies on HBO Max. Black Canary is unlikely to be a big budget title, so what makes it any different to Batgirl? Presumably, Warner Bros. would look to keep the budget under control, though writer and director Misha Green clashed with MGM after her Tomb Raider script was deemed too pricey!
We're not 100% convinced that Black Canary will become a reality, and chances are the studio is just looking to avoid any further negative headlines. Perhaps the movie could become a limited series instead? Either way, we don't know when to expect news on this supposed 10-year plan the studio has.
Are you hoping to see the Black Canary movie become a reality?