Harley Quinn has become one of the most iconic characters in the DC Universe (or DC Extended Universe, whatever we call it these days). She would debut in the episode of Batman: The Animated Series titled "Joker's Favor" in September 1992; although it was a brief appearance, the character would go on to show up in the kids' animated series as well as the comics for more than 30 years.
The Joker's toxic lover, who has dawned many different styles of a circus clown, has captivated audiences of both men and women. So much so that when the character was rumored to make the jump to the big screen, fans wondered who would fit the bill for such a brilliant, energizing role.
They got their wish for the perfect casting choice in Margot Robbie. Even more so, an alternative casting choice in the upcoming Joker sequel with Lady Gaga in the role, as well as an animated series on Max where she is voiced by Kaley Cuoco. Despite how up and down DC has been with their live-action adaptations, Margot Robbie has been a constant positive element of the mess the brand has been over the years. Robbie seemingly loves playing the loose cannon character. However, years prior to her appearing in 2016's Suicide Squad, there were many others up for the role.
The casting for it goes back years prior to David Ayers' polarizing film, so much so that when Anne Hathaway initially met with Christopher Nolan for The Dark Knight Rises, she thought the role was for Harley Quinn and not Selina Kyle/Catwoman. Here are a few other names who you may or may not know were up for the role of the ever-unpredictable Harleen Frances Quinzel.
9 Emily Browning
Emily Browning has an interesting filmography, appearing in a lot of films that cater to the comic book crowd, even if they are not necessarily superhero films. Appearing in films like Legend opposite Tom Hardy. As well as 2011's Sleeping Beauty, the hit show American Gods, and the Zack Snyder-directed Sucker Punch. You'd think, being in close quarters with Snyder for Sucker Punch, she'd be a contender to join the evolving DCEU at the time, and the answer is she apparently was.
Browning Was Passed Over on a Few Major Roles
Now there are different kinds of fan fiction and fantasy casting choices all over the internet. Just look up Willem Dafoe as the Joker; it's so perfect, yet it's still never been a reality. While you're doing that, look up Emily Browning as Harley Quinn; there was some fan demand for that casting choice.
According to IMDB, she was indeed in the running for that role, but they passed on her. A fun fact to go along with that tidbit of information is that years earlier she was offered the lead role in the Twilight series but turned it down because she didn't want to be distracted by the baggage that came with working on a film franchise.
8 Allison Brie
Alison Brie is one of the standout stars of the classic comedy series Community. Most recently, Alison Brie showed up in the brand-new Peacock drama Apples Never Fall. She has bounced back and forth between humorous roles like Get Hard and Freelance to dramas and dark thrillers like Promising Young Woman and The Rental. With Brie's versatility, maybe she would've made the cut for a good Harley Quinn.
Brie Was on the Short List, Apparently
Alison Brie's name came across producers' minds over at Marvel a few times when casting She-Hulk, apparently. As it turns out, years ago, in Marvel's competition, DC also had her pegged on the short list for playing the crown prince of crime's top henchwoman. However, these were the early stages of casting, apparently.
Brie may not have been the star she was now at the time of development for Suicide Squad, but who knows what her career would have ended up like if she became Harley Quinn in the DCEU?
7 Sara Paxton
Sara Paxton has had an illustrious career, particularly standing out in the horror genre. She showed up back in 2009 in the lead role for the remake of The Last House on the Left, then starred in The Innkeepers and the fun aquatic shark horror film Shark Night. If you really take a good look at her appearance, one would think, Why not let her take a swing at playing Harley Quinn?
Sara Paxton Auditioned for Harley Quinn
The Return to Halloweentown star bears a striking resemblance to the character of Harley Quinn. She's an actress who has gotten her hands dirty a few times on screen, which goes to show you she would have no issue running a muck in the streets of Gotham playing Quinn. It turns out Paxton actually auditioned for the part during the casting call for the role. She, of course, got passed up for the role.
6 Olivia Wilde
It's been a long time since Olivia Wilde appeared on the show House in the mid-2000s. She has gone on to play a slew of different roles over the last two decades. Wilde went from being type cast as a highly attractive love interest to now being able to tell her own kinds of stories as she branched out into directing films rather than just acting them. Case in point: her directorial efforts in 2022's Don't Worry Darling.
Olivia Wilde and Margot Robbie's Connection Over the Years
Over the years, if Margot Robbie was up for a role, chances are Olivia Wilde was up for it, and vice versa. The pair were both up for Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad, which Robbie, of course, got. A few years earlier, they were also up for the same role in The Wolf of Wall Street, opposite Leonardo DiCaprio. The two highly successful actresses' appeared in the 2022 film Babylon, and just recently, news got out that the pair plan to adapt the graphic novel Avengelyne with X-Men producer Simon Kinberg.
5 Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Mary Elizabeth Winstead knows what it's like to be front and center for a big movie. Her performances in Death Proof, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World, and Live Free or Die Hard back that argument up. Even in small independent films, she is an utter scene stealer. Little did we know that we came very close to having her play Harley Quinn.
Winstead Went on to Make 10 Cloverfield Lane
Of the many names on this list, Winstead actually went on to make a valiant effort to get the role of Harley Quinn. In the end, it ended up not working out. Although Harley Quinn is a scene stealer in Suicide Squad, it is still technically a supporting role of sorts. Winstead would go on to play the lead in the sequel to Cloverfield, which we all didn't know we needed but are sure happy we got, in the movie 10 Cloverfield Lane.
However, things came full circle as she ended up playing alongside Robbie's Harley Quinn in the 2020 DC movie Birds of Prey as the character Helena Bertinelli