The Original Villain Plan
Margot Robbie told Colin Farrell that the first draft of Birds of Prey featured the Penguin as the main threat. She said Christina Hodson wrote a script where the Penguin stalked Harley Quinn and her new team. Robbie’s excitement showed when she described the Penguin’s role as “amazing.”
Why the Penguin Was Cut
Matt Reeves, the director of The Batman, stepped in and asked the studio not to use the Penguin in the Harley Quinn movie. He explained that he needed the character for his own project. As a result, the writers swapped the villain to Black Mask, played by Ewan McGregor. This change kept the two film universes separate and gave each director creative freedom.
“The first draft that Christina [Hodson] wrote of Birds of Prey, the villain was the Penguin,” Robbie said. “And then [director/writer] Matt Reeves said, ‘Don’t use the Penguin. I’m going to use him in my thing.’ And so we swapped it to Black Mask.“
Robbie teased that Penguin was “amazing” in the script, and Farrell asked if she still had a copy. “Yeah, it’s probably on my computer,” she said. “You could read it.“
“Oh, good, I’d love to [read it,” he said. “That’d be so fascinating.“
How the Change Affected the Film
The switch to Black Mask gave the movie a darker, crime‑lord feel. It also let the Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya shine alongside Harley. Robbie laughed that a copy of the original script probably sits on her computer. Farrell asked if he could read it, and Robbie hinted that it might still be there.
Would the Penguin Have Been a Better Villain?
Many fans still debate this question. Some think the Penguin’s criminal swagger would have matched Harley’s chaotic energy. Others feel Black Mask offered a fresh challenge. The conversation keeps the film alive in fan circles.
Source: JoBlo
