Margot Robbie, producer and star of Harley Quinn's non-classic look was the focus of much discussion among Suicide Squad viewers.
However, though Robbie producing as well as starring as Harley Quinn, who teams up with DC heroes Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez) to rescue the young Cassandra Cain (Ella Jay Basco).
From the release of the Birds of Prey costume test video, it's been clear that this film's take on Harley Quinn and her fellow female DC characters would be pandering much less to straight male viewers. Robbie confirms as much in a Vogue profile. When journalist Irina Aleksander brings up the difference in Harley Quinn's costumes on Birds of Prey versus Suicide Squad, costume designer Erin Benach (A Star is Born) attributed it to the female-led creative team, saying, "That’s what happens when you have a female producer, director, writer." Robbie chimed in to say, "Yeah, it’s definitely less male gaze-y."
The male gaze, for those unfamiliar with the term, refers to the practice of depicting women in media and literature from a specifically straight, male perspective, typically as sexual objects for the pleasure of straight male viewers. In comics and superhero movies specifically, the term is applied to female characters whose costumes and/or poses are sexualized for no real reason other than to appeal to straight male consumers - like, arguably, Harley Quinn's costume in Suicide Squad. It should be noted that Kate Hawley was the costume designer on Suicide Squad, but directors and producers also weigh in on costumes, which, on Suicide Squad, were all men with the singular exception of Deborah Snyder.
Whereas on Birds of Prey, the movie has a it's R-rated, it could be a major success - both critically and commercially. No matter what, fans will get to see Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) for themselves next year.
Source: Vogue
