Entertainment · Film · 1 day ago
James Gunn Says The Suicide Squad Is DCU Canon, With Harley Quinn Uncertain
James Gunn says The Suicide Squad is part of the DCU, the shared universe of DC films and shows.
The 2021 film is now considered the DCU’s first canon film, though Gunn says Harley Quinn’s status is still uncertain.
Margot Robbie played Harley in The Suicide Squad and earlier DC films, but has not appeared in the rebooted DCU so far.
Gunn says Harley is difficult to fit in because the DCU has not established the Joker, a key part of her past.
He says Robbie is the one who decides whether to return; if she does, he will find a way to make the story fit, and if not, he may cast someone else.
Gunn has also addressed a timeline issue by saying The Suicide Squad’s events could be placed in 2023 or 2024, and that Bloodsport shooting Superman was not necessarily a defeat in battle.
Harley is likely to appear in the DCU, but Gunn has not said who will play her or when she will appear.
James Gunn says The Suicide Squad is canon in the DC Universe and its first canon film.
He says Harley Quinn’s place in the DCU remains uncertain, and Margot Robbie will decide whether she returns to the role.
Gunn said he would work out how Robbie’s Harley fits the DCU if she wants to play her again.
He said Harley is difficult to place because the DCU has not established the Joker, who is part of her past.
Gunn said the film’s timeline may need to shift to 2023 or 2024 to fit with Superman, which is set in 2025.
- Who
- James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, discussed the status of The Suicide Squad and Harley Quinn. Margot Robbie’s decision will shape whether she plays Harley again.
- What
- Gunn said The Suicide Squad is canon in the DCU, while Harley Quinn’s status remains uncertain.
- When
- Gunn made the comments on The Suicide Squad: Is It Canon? podcast. The articles were published on October 29 and 30, 2026.
- Where
- In the DC Universe, the shared fictional setting of DC Studios’ films and television.
- Why
- Gunn said Harley’s connection to the Joker complicates her place in the DCU, and Robbie may not want to reprise the role.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Margot Robbie played Harley Quinn in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad.
Robbie played Harley Quinn in Birds of Prey.
The Suicide Squad was released.
Dark Horizons reported Gunn’s statement that The Suicide Squad is canon and the first canon film in the DCU.
IGN and Murphy's Multiverse reported Gunn’s comments on Harley Quinn and the film’s timeline.
- Film
- The Suicide Squad
- Canon status
- Gunn said the film is canon and the DCU’s first canon film.
- Harley Quinn actor
- Margot Robbie
- Harley’s future
- Gunn said Robbie will decide whether she returns to the role.
- Joker status
- Gunn said the DCU has not established the Joker.
- Timeline adjustment
- Gunn said The Suicide Squad may need to be placed in 2023 or 2024.
3 sources
What people are saying
Not only is The Suicide Squad canon, but it’s the first canon film in the DCU.
Margot is the one who has to decide whether or not Suicide Squad is canon.
Harley is a character I’m almost certainly going to use in the DCU, and if Margot wants to play her, then I’ll bend over backwards to explain that in the world.
He was just shot.