Exclusive: Anya Taylor-Joy In Talks For Harley Quinn In Matt Reeves’ Batman Universe

In the latest Giant Freakin Robot exclusive, Anya Taylor-Joy is in talks to join Matt Reeves' Batman universe as Harley Quinn

By Doug Norrie | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

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With The Batman opening in the United States this weekend, fans are rightfully excited about a whole new universe of friends and foes around the titular character. By all accounts, the movie is excellent and begins constructing and creating an entirely new universe for the Caped Crusader. We already know that as the story moves ahead, and the world expands, we are going to see some of the other infamous villains in his orbit. The latest Giant Freakin Robot exclusive from our trusted and proven source has it that Anya Taylor-Joy is currently in talks to join Robert Pattinson, Matt Reeves, and company as the next Harley Quinn. What a fantastic addition this would be if they are able to bring the casting to the finish line. 

While it isn’t quite clear when or where Anya Taylor-Joy would show up as Harley Quinn, there should be no shortage of opportunities over the coming years. We know that director Matt Reeves and the rest of Warner Bros. are committed to dialing things up in The Batman universe with sequels and spin-offs planned for the franchise. There will be chances to run across Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne/ Batman, but she could also show up in other productions first. The studio has big ideas here with further stories planned well before the first movie even hit the big screen. 

And even for a new (and I mean new) franchise, a lot of the groundwork has already been laid in terms of the bigger villains in Batman’s universe. Unlike other franchises that take quite a while, or go movie-by-movie when it comes to bringing in new faces, The Batman is taking things in a different direction. They are dropping us into a world that is already somewhat established. Anya Taylor-Joy as Harley Quinn would actually come a bit further down the line in terms of villains. The first film introduces Zoe Kravitz as Selena Kyle/ Catwoman, Colin Farrell as Oswald Cobblepot/ Penguin, Paul Dano as Riddler, and John Turturro as Carmine Falcone. Gotham’s criminal underworld is already alive and kicking when the first credits roll. 

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And would Anya Taylor-Joy as Harley Quinn be teaming up with old running mate Joker? Well, the not-so-hidden secret here is that role has already been cast as well. Barry Keoghan had been signed on to play first a credited part in the Gotham Police Department only to be switched to an Arkham inmate. But it’s pretty much known at this point that he’ll be taking on the Clown Prince of Crime role in the future. It would make sense to have these two tied in some way, at least based on the comic book background. 

If Anya Taylor-Joy does ultimately take the role of Harley Quinn in The Batman franchise, she would have some big character shoes to fill. After all, Margot Robbie has set the gold standard in this respect, taking on the character for the two Suicide Squad movies as well as Birds of Prey. But thankfully, The Batman movie sets a considerably different tone and there’s a chance for a new Harley Quinn to really separate in that respect. Anya Taylor-Joy would, for sure, bring a drastically different vibe as Harley, setting her apart from the outset. 

In all, The Batman is building quite the universe and initial reviews of the movie have been overwhelmingly positive. It would be perfect casting to add Anya Taylor-Joy in the Harley Quinn role.