‘Birds of Prey': Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead Cast as Black Canary and Huntress
Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Mary Elizabeth Winstead have been cast as Black Canary and Huntress in Warner Bros.’ female superhero team-up film “Birds of Prey,” TheWrap has learned.
The female superhero team-up film will be released on Feb. 7, 2020.
Black Canary, aka Dinah Lance, is a fantastic hand-to-hand combatant who comes from a family of crime fighters. Her father, Larry Lance, was a police officer, while her mother (also named Dinah) was the original Black Canary. Helena Bertinelli, aka Huntress, is a vigilante operating out of Gotham City.
Originally created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Carmine Infantino in 1947, Black Canary/Dinah Laurel is a fantastic hand-to-hand combatant from a family of crime fighters — Her father, Larry Lance, was a police officer, while her mother (also named Dinah) was the original Black Canary. Since the 1960s she’s been most commonly associated with the hero Green Arrow, and has been featured heavily on The CW’s “Arrow,” where she was played for several seasons by Katie Cassidy. A new version of Black Canary is currently played by Juliana Harkavy.
Also Read: Margot Robbie's 'Birds of Prey' Sets February 2020 Release Date
Created by writer Joey Cavalieri and artist Joe Staton in 1989, Helena Bertinelli is the third DC Comics character to use the name Huntress. Once a mafia princess whose family was killed in a mob hit, she eventually becomes a vigilante bent on taking down the mob in the name of Justice. Operating out of Gotham City, she’s typically an uneasy ally of Batman, and even briefly operated as Batgirl. She was a recurring character on The CW’s “Arrow,” played by Jessica De Gouw.
Robbie will reprise her “Suicide Squad” character, Harley Quinn as well produce alongside Kroll & Co Entertainment’s Sue Kroll and Clubhouse Pictures’ Bryan Unkeless. The film follows the adventures of a revolving group of female heroes and villains and is based on the DC Comics characters and concepts created by Jordan B. Gorfinkel and Chuck Dixon.
In addition, TheWrap has exclusively learned that the villain in “Birds of Prey” will be Black Mask, one of Batman’s foes who has never before appeared on the big screen.
Also Read: 'Big Bang Theory' Star Johnny Galecki Reveals an Eye-Opening Encounter With Kaley Cuoco (Photo)
Cathy Yan is set to direct. Yan is best known for writing and directing her feature debut “Dead Pigs,” which took home the World Cinema Dramatic Award for Ensemble Acting at Sundance earlier this year.
As TheWrap first reported, Christina Hodson wrote the “Birds of Prey” spinoff for Warner Bros. and DC Films. Hodson is also writing “Batgirl” for DC.
Smollett-Bell, who is repped by ICM Partners and Management 360, is currently filming the upcoming HBO drama series “Lovecraft Country.”
Winstead, who is repped by WME, just wrapped Paramount’s “Gemini Man” opposite Will Smith.
Read original story ‘Birds of Prey': Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Mary Elizabeth Winstead Cast as Black Canary and Huntress at TheWrap
