Ayer, Robbie team up for Gotham City Sirens, but is this what we wanted?

It has come to our attention that the previously-rumoured standalone Harley Quinn project has been sped up, given that Suicide Squad director David Ayer has joined forces with Margot Robbie (Quinn in the same movie) for Gotham City Sirens – a feature film.

While the movie – not so solo anymore – doesn’t have a release date yet, The Hollywood Reporter, which first disclosed the news, mentioned that it will bring out villains Poison Ivy and Batman’s on-and-off love interest Catwoman from DC’s closet.

Robbie, who originally revealed interest in an individual Quinn spin-off earlier this year, will be the executive producer. Warner Bros. was obviously quick to grab the idea, considering how Suicide Squad managed to bag almost $750 million at the box office, despite the extremely skeptical reviews.

This is seconded by the fact that Harley Quinn was hands down the best character in the film, apart from the Jared Leto’s arguably-good Joker. In fact, it gained so much popularity that the Joker’s part-time girlfriend was the most-seen Halloween outfit this year.

Gotham City Sirens’ plot will follow that of its 2009 comic book namesake, which was penned down by Paul Dini and Guillem March. In the issue, the three femme fatales form a girl bond to protect one another, as they hang out in the city, carrying on with their shenanigans.

It is interesting to note that the whole DC world is basically teeming with upcoming – named and unnamed – film projects, and discussions of other potential films. Confirmed to date are Captain Marvel (2019), Wonder Woman (2017), Justice League (2017), a Suicide Squad sequel, and a solo Deadshot movie.

Who will take up the mantle?

since the gotham city sirens movie was officially announced i'm going to throw out these casting ideas pic.twitter.com/OtszaZQqXs

— iron fisting (@anyacorazons) December 13, 2016

Fans have already starting pitching in their selection of actresses who could be cast for the three leading roles. Holland Roden, Rose Leslie, Christina Hendricks, and Rihanna are among the top favourites for Poison Ivy, while Ruby Rose, Eva Green, Zoe Saldana, and Ruth Negga are possible contenders for the Catwoman role.

A fan even suggested Margot Robbie play all three characters – something that quite possibly will only remain his dream.

One step too wrong maybe?

Although Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Tomb Raider remake) has been chosen as the scriptwriter, keeping aside the exciting news, one major issue still persists: why did the studio pick Ayer as the director, taking into account how he was criticised for his portrayal of Quinn, and, in the process, overlooking Robbie’s talent? There were a number of female directors that could have done justice this project requires.

While many argue that Ayer will once again focus on Quinn’s physical features just like he did in Suicide Squad fillers, it is important to note that the comic book Gotham City Sirens is based on has the same imagery.

Positives, anyone?

Nevertheless, a major plus for Gotham City Sirens is that Harley Quinn will be surrounded with 'woman-positive' villainesses, who support her through thick and thin. This primarily drags her away from Joker, with whom her unhealthy relationship was blotted with extreme dependence and objectification.

With DC Entertainment president Geoff Johns and creative head Jon Berg involved in the project, let’s see who finally gets cast as Selena Kyle and Pamela Lillian Isley.

Previously, Halle Berry brought Catwoman to the screen, although it was a major flop as indicated by Rotten Tomatoes’ 9% Tomatometer rating. In The Dark Knight Rises, it was Anne Hathaway who starred as Catwoman.