She’s back! Showstopper Margot Robbie is gracing our screens once again as the beloved character, Harley Quinn, only this time she’s sans-Joker. 

Audiences worldwide fell in love with the rambunctious Quinn in the 2016 Suicide Squad film. What fans didn’t love so much? The toxic on-screen relationship between Quinn and long-time boyfriend, Joker, played by Jared Leto. The tumultuous relationship was triggering for audiences,’ as Quinn was abused both physically and psychologically by her “eternal love,” while caving to the manipulation. The relationship sparked some deep web-conversations about the dangers this tragic romance may spark in young women and men viewing who “ship” the couple together. This being one of the reasons Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), is both exciting and inspiring for fans of Harley. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3FuTkXD-Tt/

The trailer opens with Harley describing that her name is inspired by the word, harlequin, which she defines as, “a role to serve,” that is “nothing without a master,” only this time we’re about to see Quinn as her very own master, while she takes back her life. 

The movie focuses on Quinn’s very own kick-ass girl gang, consisting of actresses Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, and Jurnee Smollett- Bell as Black Canary. The team assembles when a young girl, Ella Jay Basco, is kidnapped in Gotham, and it’s their time to go up against the Black Mask, Ewan McGregor. 

While the trailer combines superhero prowess, feminist voices, and a burlesque feel, Margot Robbie credits director, Cathy Yan with bringing her vision to life. Robbie told USA Today last year that she, “pitched the idea of doing an R-rated girl gang film when we were still doing Suicide Squad. It was a hard pitch back then, because it was pre-Deadpool, so it was a crazy idea.” She explained that she found Cathy Yan after Yan did a film called Dead Pigs, which Robbie loved. Robbie said, “At LuckyChap, we always strive to have female storytellers or a female protagonist or female point of view. For Birds, I said, “Best director wins, male or female.” But I think it’s our obligation to speak to more female directors than male ones, because they’ve historically had less of a chance.” 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2hMp7gDEIy/

The last scene of the trailer showcases Harley’s reclamation of the word bitch, while seamlessly taking on the world.  A young girl calls Quinn a “psycho chick,” while Quinn snaps back saying, “Don’t ever call a woman a chick. I’ll accept broad, lady, woman, and on occasion bitch,” while handing the girl a pipe bomb to throw out the window at the car speed chasing them. Killer.

The cast of the new film recently surprised fans at Comic-Con in New York City, giving credit to the tons of Harley Quinn cosplayers in attendance, and hosting a mystery signing. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QYEOhFHlJ/

We can’t wait to see how these ladies take on Gotham. Birds of Prey will be in theaters February 2020.