The movies of the DCEU have been… well… less than stellar. Yes, we have had a gem of WONDER WOMAN but the rest have been mixed at best. While I have hope for James Wan’s AQUAMAN, it is the new the BIRDS OF PREY movie that really has me excited.

Last week, while talking to Yahoo! News, Margot Robbie discussed the prospective movie. Robbie, a producer, and star of the film announced that the film was aiming to begin shooting in January of 2019. This could make it the next film of the DCEU after WONDER WOMAN 1984.

I am incredibly hyped about the news of a BIRDS OF PREY movie. Here are 10 reasons you should be hyped too!

1. Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie is no doubt one of Hollywood’s most talented actors working today. Her Harley Quinn was easily the best part of SUICIDE SQUAD. She then stunned as the titular character in last year’s I, TONYA.

However, few people realize that Robbie has also taken on an important role behind the camera as well. Robbie has created the production LuckyChap Entertainment in which she produces and develops her own films. LuckyChap was the production company behind I, TONYA and LuckyChap will be the production company behind the BIRDS OF PREY movie.

Margot Robbie took the role of Harley Quinn with the agreement that she would have creative control over her film. Robbie and LuckyChap then hired Christina Hodson and director Cathy Yan for the project.

2. A Female-Led Project

I do agree with the tenet that you should hire whoever is best for the job no matter their race or gender. However, I also love to see different perspectives in my movies. BLACK PANTHER proved that it helps to hire people with a unique vision. That is why I am excited that the BIRDS OF PREY movie will have a largely female creative team.

I am not familiar with Christina Hodson and Cathy Yan but I do trust Robbie’s judgment. If she believes they are great creative talents with understandings of the characters then I am looking forward to seeing what they have to offer.

3. A Female Ensemble

The BIRDS OF PREY comics have always been phenomenal at highlighting some of the strong female characters in the DCEU. After the courage of women coming out as part of the Me Too movement and the surprise success of WONDER WOMAN, it feels like the perfect time to turn the focus on some of DC’s kickass women.

This would also be an area where DC could get ahead of Marvel once again. Marvel has flirted with the idea of an all-female team in the movies. However, if DC gets to a BIRDS OF PREY movie before Marvel makes its prospective female-led ensemble film, DC could continue to ride the feminist wave of breaking glass ceilings.

4. An R-Rating

Among the many flaws of SUICIDE SQUAD was its tonal inconsistency. It felt like the movie wanted to go severely dark (which is fine) but it halted its breaks against the PG-13 rating. The smaller budget and R-Rating of the BIRDS OF PREY movie should provide the film with a lot more freedom.

If the movie wants to show the violence and brutality of the streets of Gotham, it will be at liberty to do so. Hopefully, the BIRDS OF PREY movie will learn from LOGAN and DEADPOOL will include blood and gore for a purpose besides making gruesome films.

5. Barbara Gordon

So the internet has been freaking out about the rumor that Batgirl will not be in THE BIRD OF PREY movie. Many pointed out that the rumors specifically said “Batgirl” not Barbara Gordon.

While Batgirl is a fun character, I believe that her most interesting role has always been as Oracle. Oracle, the codename of Barbara after being crippled by the Joker, was a hero who found a way to fight without entering the field. Relegated to a wheelchair, Oracle served as leader and brains of the Birds of Prey. Oracle is a great reminder that a person doesn’t have to smack criminals in the face to become a hero.

6. Black Canary

As a fan but critic of the series ARROW, it is obvious that that show screwed up the character of Black Canary. Dinah Lance is the emotional center of the Birds of Prey. She is passionate about her cause and helping people. However, she can be a firebrand and exceptionally headstrong when necessary.

Black Canary, alongside Oracle, was one of the founding members of the Birds of Prey. She balances out the brainy Barbara with her focus on busting corruption and criminals preying upon the unfortunate. I have a feeling that if cast correctly, Black Canary could be a character that really pops when put on the big screen.

7. Huntress

Huntress AKA Helena Bertinelli wasn’t one of the founding members of the Birds of Prey but she quickly followed suit. Pain and suffering forged Helena into a weapon and now she is hellbent on revenge. She is distrustful and brutal in her vigilantism. While Canary and Oracle prefer non-lethal means, Huntress often resorts to killing her enemies.

Huntress skirts the line between hero and antihero much of the time. This is one of the reason she would be so interesting to include in the BIRDS OF PREY movie. Huntress will be torn between the heroes of Barbara and Dinah and some of the more villainous heroes of this movie.

8. Catwoman

With the DCEU set to introduce some of the comics most classic characters, it was only a matter of time before Catwoman made her first appearance. It seems like the BIRDS OF PREY movie will combine some of the ideas from the proposed “Gotham City Sirens” movie with a traditional BIRDS OF PREY storyline. If so, then it would make sense for the likes of Catwoman to join the team.

Catwoman has cooperated with the BIRDS OF PREY at certain points in the comics even if she never formally joined. I’d be intrigued to see what the filmmakers conceive as a reasoning for Catwoman to join the team. Catwoman is cynical about authority and usually operates as a solo vigilante. As such, she could serve as another great contrast to leaders Oracle and Canary.

9. Poison Ivy

Another classic Batman villainous, Poison Ivy seems like a sure bet for the BIRDS OF PREY movie. Ivy, while originally portrayed as an unredeemable eco-terrorist, has become more sympathetic over the years. With the popularity of Harley Quinn, it only makes sense that DC would introduce Harley’s best pal.

In the comics, Ivy grows to have a deep affection for Harley. So much so that Harley becomes the first person that Ivy genuinely cares about. I think Ivy could have a fabulous arc over the course of the BIRDS OF PREY movie. I imagine her starting the movie as a radical only thinking for plant-life. Over time, and with the help of Harley, Ivy could grow (see what I did there) compassion for others.

10. Harley Quinn

We started this list with Margot Robbie and now we end it with Harley Quinn. Despite what the fad-popularity of the character would have you believe, Harley is, in fact, one of the deepest DC characters. Much like any great hero, she is someone constantly fighting against her worse demons. That demon usually lies in her dependency on the Joker.

If the BIRDS OF PREY movie could provide us with a Harley Quinn who is free from the manipulation of the Joker, it would open so many interesting paths for the character to take. Much like in the comics, Harley would grow out of the Joker’s shadow and could become a hero in her own right. Now, that is something I’m excited to see.

Final Thoughts on the BIRDS OF PREY Movie

Well, that was my list of the top 10 reasons to become hyped for The BIRDS OF PREY movie. If there is anything you’re excited about that I did not mention, feel free to leave a comment below.

The BIRDS OF PREY Movie couldn’t come faster for me. There is so much rich ground to cover in that film. With all these new creative decisions happening in the DCEU, I am incredibly optimistic about the state of the universe.