Just the term “Birds Of Prey” probably brings to mind quite a few superheroes for DC Comics fans. Oracle and Black Canary started the team, and there have been quite a few heroes in and out of the lineup since then. Katana, Lady Blackhawk, Hawk and Dove are just a few of the heroes who have helped out the Birds of Prey in the comics. So exactly which characters appear in “Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)”?

Heroes:

  • Black Canary—Dinah Lance (Jurnee Smollett-Bell) is a nightclub singer who has a possessive, abusive boss. She’s just trying to survive, but she can’t turn away from someone who needs help (a trait she gets from her mother).
  • Detective Renee Montoya—The veteran detective (Rosie Perez) is obsessed with hunting down bad guys, and no one in her office seems to appreciate her work ethic.
  • Huntress—A mysterious figure known as “the crossbow killer,” Huntress (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) has her own reasons for returning to town after years away.
  • Cassandra Cain—Well, comic book fans know her as a hero who takes on the Batgirl mantle, but she’s more of just a kid who needs to be saved in “Birds of Prey.” Cass (Ella Jay Basco) is a foster child who is known for pickpocketing. When she unknowingly steals the Bertinelli diamond, she’s in massive trouble.

As far as heroes go, that’s it. Oracle does not appear in the movie, but it’s worth noting that this is a Birds of Prey origin story. The ladies are just meeting, and it’s safe to say there will be room for expansion, should they get a sequel.

Of course, heroes are nothing without crime to fight. These are the bad guys in “Birds of Prey.”

Villains:

  • Harley Quinn—Of course, our leading bad gal (Margot Robbie) is one that audiences will find themselves rooting for. It turns out that she has ticked off just about every bad guy in Gotham, and once they realize that she and Joker have broken up, they all want Harley dead.
  • Roman Sionis/Black Mask—This gangster (Ewan McGregor) wants to rule Gotham and everyone in it. He’s possessive, controlling and desperately needs to have his way.
  • Victor Zsasz—As Black Mask’s right-hand man, Zsasz (Chris Messina) is extremely loyal and a bit territorial around the boss.

Joker is not in the movie either, though his presence looms large. The same goes for the original “Suicide Squad” cast. Though there are references to the movie, don’t expect Harley’s former teammates to make an appearance.

While some superhero movies are loaded with surprise appearances, “Birds of Prey” sticks to letting their core cast have screen time. That means no Batman or Justice League cameos either.

“Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” hits theaters Friday.

Birds of Prey
Rosie Perez, Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Mary Elizabeth Winstead in "Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)." DC Films/Warner Bros.
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