Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) may not be the failure that critics and some fans are making it out to be. By the time its run ends, it may still break even. Furthermore, a sequel could still be in the works if the studio wants it.
Despite opening with the lowest opening weekend for a DC movie in the last decade, even surpassing 2011’s critically and fan-hated Green Lantern by $20 million domestically, Birds of Prey has now made just over $155 million worldwide in its third weekend of release.
The movie – recently rebranded as Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey in some theatres in an effort to better promote the movie – has an overall budget of $84.5 million. In order for Birds of Prey to “break even”, it needs to make double its budget at $169 million. This is still not out of the realm of possibility.
However, fans are not exactly screaming for a Birds of Prey sequel. Instead, many want Harley Quinn’s next solo adventure to be with the Gotham City Sirens. A sequel or spin-off will not even be considered by Warner Bros. until the movie at least breaks even.
Also, given the positive reviews to the movie by fans who praise Margot Robbie’s acting, the action and the comedy, there is no real reason other than box office gross as to why Warner Bros. wouldn’t at least discuss a sequel.
Also read: First Look At Harley Quinn On The Suicide Squad Set
In comparison, 2019’s Shazam! was the lowest performing DCEU movie to date with an overall gross of $140 million domestic and $365 million worldwide, and in the last few months it has been confirmed that Shazam! is indeed getting a sequel as it broke even with a budget of $100 million.
The all-female led movie isn’t the first time Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn has been one of the high points of a mixed movie. Released in 2016, Suicide Squad was critically panned and not deemed brilliant by fans. However, Robbie’s Harley does seem to be the best part of both movies for the majority of people. This could be why the actress is currently filming the upcoming The Suicide Squad directed by James Gunn.
The proof of this particular pudding will be in the final box office gross. But with how the movie is performing, it’s still possible that Harley Quinn will get another solo adventure.
Birds of Prey stars Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco and Ewan McGregor.
Do you want a Birds of Prey sequel? Should Harley’s next solo movie be the Gotham City Sirens?
