Birds Of Prey Casts Huntress & Black Canary
And Ewan McGregor may just be playing DC's next villain...
Rumours of Birds of Prey's potential main cast have gone into overdrive during the last few weeks, and it now looks as though the film has found two more leads to work alongside Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn in the all-women ensemble directed by Cathy Yan.
Deadline are reporting that Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Scott Pilgrim vs the World, 10 Cloverfield Lane) will take on the role of Helena Bertinelli, AKA the Huntress. The character, created by Joey Cavalieri and Joe Staton in 1989, is an anti-hero who takes to the streets to take revenge against the Gotham Mafia, who she herself was born into. Jessica De Gouw previously played the character on TheCW's Arrow, although older audiences may remember her recurring role in Justice League Unlimited.
The outlet also say, however, that Jurnee Smollett-Bell (True Blood, Underground) will take on the role of Black Canary. In the comics, Canary has a partnership with fellow superhero Green Arrow, and is oft considered to be one of the foremost fighters in the DC Universe. Both heroes were also pivotal members of the actual Birds of Prey team, deputising Barbara Gordon as its in-field leaders.
Variety's Justin Kroll also notes that the two remaining parts on the team are yet to be cast. These are said to be Renee Montoya - a GCPD cop-turned-superhero who takes on the identity of the Question - and Cassandra Cain, the second Batgirl.
More interesting, perhaps, is the names being shortlisted for the film's villain. Kroll mentions Sharlto Copley and Ewan McGregor are in contention, but for now, the identity of the villain remains a mystery.