Why is Margot Robbie not playing Harley Quinn?

The reason why Margot Robbie won’t be playing Harley Quinn was that she wished to give the character some rest as she found it to be “exhausting”.

Australian actress Margot Robbie has been making headlines lately for portraying Mattel’s famous fashion doll, in Greta Gerwig’s recently released film Barbie. The film went on to be a massive hit at the box office and Robbie since then is being showered with immense praise and love by her fans out there. Other than Barbie, Robbie is known for being a versatile actress for her amazing work over the years.

Another role that Robbie is highly famous for is, Joker’s crazed partner-in-crime and love interest, Harley Quinn. Robbie first played the role of Harley Quinn in David Ayer’s 2016 released DC film Suicide Squad. Although the film did not perform quite well and received a lot of criticism for the film’s plot, script, dialogue, direction, editing, action scenes, and use of licensed music, the one thing that helped the film gain some attention was Robbie’s portrayal of Harley Quinn.

Why is Margot Robbie not reprising her role as Harley Quinn in Todd Philip’s Joker: Folie à Deux?

Even though David Ayer’s Suicide Squad did not live up to its hype, the one person who grabbed attention was Margot Robbie. Her rendition of Harley Quinn was something that every DC fan loved and wished to see more on screen. After the 2016 film, Margot Robbie went on to reprise her role as Quinn in Birds of Prey in 2020 and James Gunn's version of The Suicide Squad, in 2021.

Just like her first film as Harley Quinn, she went on to receive more and more praise for her portrayal of Quinn in the other films too. While these films were being made under the DCEU banner (DC Extended Universe) other films such as Todd Philips’ version of Joker were being made in DC too. After the success of the first film, the sequel of Todd Philip’s Joker was announced in no time.

Reports went rife that Philip was planning to introduce Joker’s love lady Harley Quinn in the film. The DC fans were exhilarated by the news and wished to see Margot Robbie pairing up with Joaquin Phoenix as she was the only Harley Quinn that had everyone’s attention. However, they were let down after Robbie decided to give the character some rest.

During her interview with Entertainment Weekly, Margot Robbie revealed the reason why she won’t return as Harley Quinn and why she felt to give the character a rest. Robbie said, “It was kind of back-to-back filming Birds…, and filming this (The Suicide Squad).” she also added, “So, I was kind of like, oof, I need a break from Harley because she is exhausting.”

Will Margot Robbie ever return as Harley Quinn?

There is no sure answer to this. During the same interview, when Margot Robbie was asked the same question, she also mentioned that she was not sure when the fans would see her reprise her role. Robbie said, “I am just as intrigued as everybody else.”

Talking about the new Harley Quinn of DC, famous singer Lady Gaga is all set to pair opposite Joaquin Phoenix in Todd Philips’ upcoming DC film, Joker: Folie à Deux. The film is slated to release on October 4, 2024.