8 Comic Book Characters Hollywood Will Never Understand

7. Harley Quinn & Joker

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DC Comics/Amanda Conner

Now obviously the Joker has been the subject of multiple stellar portrayals in movie history (and only one genuinely abject one), but with Harley Quinn now factored into the onscreen equation too, it seems as though Warner Bros. are all confused, as was evidenced by the portrayal of the pair's relationship in Suicide Squad, as well as the move to make a Joker/Harley spin-off made by the makers of The Hangover.

Margot Robbie is a fantastic Harley, and the actor is set to make waves with the Birds of Prey some time in the future, but it feels as though WB haven't modernised where the comics previously have. It isn't difficult to see that Quinn's relationship with the Clown Prince is abusive, as it was depicted that way since Batman: The Animated Series and later in the comics too, but Suicide Squad somehow ended up depicting it in an almost romantic light, which is a huge red light as far as DC should be concerned.

If WB can't be trusted to depict their relationship with its sinister undertones, then they shouldn't bother at all. The studio have already illustrated that they're capable of depicting Joker by himself, and it's almost inevitable that Robbie's portrayal of Harleen will benefit from the absence of Leto's Joker, but it still remains a relationship they're looking to capitalise on in the future.

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Content Producer/Presenter
Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.