DC’s Gotham City Sirens Movie On Hold Says Director

DC’s Gotham City Sirens director David Ayer offered an update on the film, saying it is currently on hold. In 2016, Ayer took on the DC universe when he directed Suicide Squad. While that film didn’t receive much critical or fan praise, it earned $746.05 million worldwide, making it a financial success. A bright spot of the film was Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, and at one point, numerous spin-offs surrounding Harley were in development. One of those spin-0ffs was Gotham City Sirens.

Gotham City Sirens was reportedly going to focus on Harley and a team of female villains including Poison Ivy and Catwoman. Ayer signed on to direct Gotham City Sirens, and the script was being written by Geneva Robertson-Dworet (Captain Marvel). However, as Warner Bros. began to switch up its strategy regarding its DC films, Gotham City Sirens fell to the wayside. Robbie ended up joining Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) and James Gunn’s reboot/sequel The Suicide Squad instead.

While speaking at a Television Critics Association press event (via /Film), Ayer was asked about the status of Gotham City Sirens. He didn’t have much news to give, aside from saying, “No, I think it’s on pause.” That’s not surprising to hear, seeing as no news regarding the film has emerged since Ayer last offered an update on the Gotham City Sirens movie in 2017. In early 2018, there were reports that Gotham City Sirens was no longer in development, but Ayer’s new comments suggest that while nothing is coming in the near future, it could happen eventually.

Robbie’s involvement with Birds of Prey and The Suicide Squad are probably factors in Gotham City Sirens‘ delay. She would be a major draw for the film due to both her popularity as an actress and Harley’s popularity as a character. It’s likely Robbie will stay within the DC universe for a while, but no appearances have been confirmed beyond The Suicide Squad. 

Meanwhile, fans disappointed the Gotham City Sirens movie won’t be hitting the big screen any time soon will still get to see another one of its members in a movie, albeit a different kind. Zoë Kravitz will be playing Catwoman in The Batman, which recently began filming and exists outside of the DC Extended Universe where Robbie’s Harley resides. DC has a packed slate for the next few years, and if Gotham City Sirens picks up development any time soon, it likely won’t be released until at least 2023. Perhaps Harley’s role in her next two films will lead to the formation of the group. For now, though, it looks like she’s sticking with the Birds of Prey.