A new promotional image for Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn) has been revealed providing a nice look at the main group of characters – Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Black Canary (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), Cassandra “Cass” Cain (Ella Jay Basco) and Renee Montoya (Rosie Perez). Also joining the group for this image is one of Harley’s hyenas, a refreshing addition to the character’s entourage not usually seen outside of the animated depictions.

In a report from Variety, is sounds like Warner Bros. is confident in their upcoming pseudo-sequel to Suicide Squad. This confident transcends traditional stances for comic book movies as WB isn’t afraid of either Birds of Prey or The Suicide Squad carrying an R-rating.

“Joker” became the first DC release to nab an R rating, but it won’t be the last. “Birds of Prey” is also expected to get a similar rating and insiders predict that James Gunn’s upcoming “Suicide Squad” sequel will also be R-rated. In the case of “Birds of Prey,” the film won’t be in the pitch-black, grim vein of “Joker.” Insiders describe the film has a more humorous, spirited, girl gang adventure, albeit not one for younger children. A series of recent reshoots dramatically improved test screening results and the studio is confident “Birds of Prey” will be a hit when it opens in February.

This is an interesting departure from previous studio belief, but after the success of Joker and Deadpool there’s no reason to doubt CBMs going forward. The real factors at play outside of characters appears to be the strength of writing and the performance.

Since the events of Suicide Squad, Harley Quinn has left the Joker. When Roman Sionis/Black Mask, a narcissistic crime lord, places a hit on a young girl named Cassandra Cain, Gotham City turns upside down looking for her. Harley joins forces with Black Canary, Huntress, and Renee Montoya to protect the girl and to take Sionis down

SOURCE: VARIETY