How Much Has Changed From The Birds Of Prey Comics Origin To The Movie?
The trailers and posters for Birds of Prey have made it abundantly clear that Margot Robbie is the star of the show. Or at least that’s what is being projected in the marketing. Although the screenwriter did say that Margot Robbie wished for a “Harley Quinn plus girls” storyline. This might not make the viewers aware of the other birds who are a part of the team and we can’t have that. So here’s a closer look at the heroines of Birds of Prey.
Who Are The Birds Of Prey In The DC Comics?
In the comics, Birds Of Prey is the official name of a superhero team with more than 20 total members. But there are three members at the core: Batgirl, Black Canary and Huntress. In the trailers it looks like all three are technically present since there is a Batgirl. Just that it’s the Cassandra Cain version (played by Ella Jay Basco) who is in the movie. In the comics, Barbara Gordon is the founding Batgirl, but it has long been reported that she is being held back for a movie of her own. Apart from this, Renee Montoya, aka The Question will also be joining the team. But apart from these slight alteration, the other members like The Huntress and Black Canary are the same. So let’s take a look at the complete roster of the Birds Of Prey And The Fantabulous Emancipation Of One Harley Quinn.
Knowing Black Canary And The Huntress
Black Canary is being portrayed by Jurnee Smollett-Bell and she is an expert at martial arts. But her distinguishing feature is that she has an ultrasonic scream. It looks like that has been adapted for the movie since we see the cocktail glasses vibrating in the trailer when she sings. The character debuted in Flash Comics #86 and has been around since 1947. Another question her fans are asking are- will her hubby, The Green Arrow appear in some way with her?
Helena Bertinelli is The Huntress and she is being portrayed by Mary Elizabeth Winstead. In the comics she is born into one of the most powerful mob families in Gotham. But her parents get brutally murdered right in front of her at the very young age of eight. This motivates her into becoming a revenge seeking vigilante with skills in gymnastics, marksmanship and hand-to-hand combat. Her distinguishing feature is her crossbow. Huntress’s prayer filled intro also makes sense since she is a devout catholic and she is also very deeply connected to her Italian heritage.
Knowing Renee Montoya And Cassandra Cain
Renee Montoya is not a traditionally core member of the team, but we love to see things a little shaken up from the comics since it offers us a new dynamic. Portrayed by Rosie Perez, Montoya like Harley Quinn was originally created for Batman: The Animated series. Since DC’s New 52 reboot she has been portrayed as a former detective of the Gotham City Police Department. She ends up eventually leaving the force due to the corruption there. But before the New 52 reboot, Montoya assumed the mantel of The Question who was an expert detective. She also used a ‘pseudoderm’ mask to conceal her identity. But after the reboot the title was reverted back to Vic Sage. For now it looks like the movie will go with the police officer version since The Question hasn’t been established yet.
Cassandra Cain is a huge departure from the comics. She is, as seen, is the youngest member in the movie. In the comics, she is the child of Lady Shiva and David Cain who are famous assassins. They wanted her to be the best assassin of all time so she was deprived of human contact and speech throughout her childhood. This resulted in her being shy and socially awkward. Cassandra is known as Batgirl but more recently she is known as Orphan in the comics. Her abilities include amazing hand-to-hand combat and an ability to expertly read her opponent’s body language. It’s not yet known which version the movie will go with.
Come 2020, it will be time to see all these heroines on screen and one star has already said that it’s unlike anything seen before.
Check out the official trailer of Birds of Prey below!
(Source: screenrant.com and theguardian.com
