Harley Quinn, the Joker and the DCU’s death rule: what James Gunn says is canon

The Suicide Squad (2021) counts in the DCU, but Harley Quinn is the hardest piece to fit. On a special episode of the film’s official podcast, James Gunn said the Joker hasn’t been established in the DCU yet, that Harley will “almost certainly” appear, and that Margot Robbie can return only if she wants to. He also laid down a hard rule: in the DCU, if you die, you die.

Is The Suicide Squad canon in the DCU?

Mostly, yes. The film was made before the DCU existed, but Peacemaker and his friends carried it over. Gunn treats it like an imperfect memory: the big events happened, while details such as dates and look-alike actors are allowed to bend.

One example: Bloodsport shot Superman with a Kryptonite bullet in the 2021 film. Superman (2025) says this Superman had only been public for three years, so the timeline has to shift. Gunn doesn’t see it as a big problem, and neither do we.

Does the Joker exist in the DCU?

Not on screen yet. Gunn said plainly that the Joker hasn’t been established in the DCU, and that they don’t know if he exists yet.

Pylcrow’s read: take that loosely. If the DCU Batman has years in the cape behind him, a Joker is probably out there somewhere in Gotham. Gunn is saying the character hasn’t been designed, cast or placed. For a fresh universe, that’s a gift: the first DCU Joker can be built from scratch.

Is Margot Robbie coming back as Harley Quinn?

Only if she wants to. Gunn called Harley one of the hardest parts of the film to justify as DCU canon, because her past is tied to a Joker who doesn’t exist yet. Then he made his position clear:

• Harley is a character he is “almost certainly” going to use in the DCU.
• If Robbie wants to play her, he’ll go out of his way to make the story work.
• If she doesn’t, he may cast someone new and leave this film’s version behind.
• He loves working with Robbie but doesn’t know if she wants to play Harley again.

Pylcrow’s take: recast. Robbie’s Harley is iconic, but she carries a whole earlier universe on her back, including Jared Leto’s Joker. A new Batman, a new Gotham and a new Joker deserve a Harley who grows up alongside them. Peacemaker crossing over works because his story is self-contained. Harley’s isn’t.

What is the DCU’s death rule?

“If you die, you die.” Gunn said it while explaining why Captain Boomerang won’t return. Jai Courtney could still come back as a different character, but not as Boomerang, because Boomerang died.

Gunn’s reasoning is that easy resurrections take the meaning out of death. He’s fine with comic-book ideas like clones, but characters don’t simply come back. He said that’s his rule and it’s staying.

We think that’s the right call. It gives every death real weight, and it is exactly the kind of stakes darker DC stories need. We make that case in DC isn’t broken, it needs to go back to its dark roots.

Can actors from The Suicide Squad play new DCU characters?

Yes, with limits. Gunn’s general rule is one live-action character per actor, with voice roles treated differently. But he made a few promises:

• Michael Rooker, who played Savant, later played Red St. Wild in the DCU as a favour to Gunn. Gunn promised him another DCU role in return.
• Jai Courtney can return, as someone other than Captain Boomerang.
• Idris Elba: Gunn would love him back, as Bloodsport or someone else. Bloodsport was originally going to be Will Smith’s Deadshot, and later almost Deathstroke, before Gunn changed course.

When is Creature Commandos season 2 coming out?

Shortly after Man of Tomorrow, according to Gunn. Season 2 is being animated now. Man of Tomorrow opens on July 9, 2027, so late 2027 looks likely. Season 1 premiered in December 2024.

Is an Amanda Waller show still happening?

Not right now. Gunn said they were strongly developing a Waller series but never greenlit it, because it didn’t get where they wanted it to be. He also said that doesn’t mean it’s completely out of development. Read that as shelved, not cancelled.

He also mentioned they’ve talked about a Polka-Dot Man show about his mother and her many superhero children. It’s not in active development, just discussed.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Suicide Squad part of the DCU?

Yes, mostly. Gunn treats it as canon, with some details, such as dates, allowed to shift.

Is the Joker in the DCU?

Not yet. Gunn said the Joker hasn’t been established in the DCU.

Will Harley Quinn be in the DCU?

Almost certainly, Gunn said. Whether Margot Robbie plays her depends on whether she wants to.

Can dead characters come back in the DCU?

No. Gunn’s rule is “if you die, you die,” apart from comic-book ideas like clones.

What should you read next?

This is part of our series on Gunn’s latest DCU comments. Read what Gunn said about casting the DCU Batman, then our opinion piece on why DC should go back to dark, gritty, evil stories. For DC’s darkest film right now, see our Clayface review roundup.

Sources: James Gunn on the official The Suicide Squad podcast special, as reported by Gizmodo, Nerdist and Dark Horizons.