Margot Robbie’s wild stunt: Skates over hyenas in Gotham
Margot Robbie dazzles with stunts on skates as Harley Quinn, outshining even her hyena co-star.
Updated : November 02, 2023 04:17 PM ISTMargot Robbie dazzles with stunts on skates as Harley Quinn, outshining even her hyena co-star.
Margot Robbie in I, Tonya (Source: Mashable)
Nostalgia runs high as we recall the time Margot Robbie, Hollywood’s darling, transformed into the chaotic yet captivating Harley Quinn for Birds of Prey. Back in 2020, audiences were thrilled as Robbie introduced a new kind of pet love—less puppy, more hyena—with her on-screen companion, Bruce. Fast-forward, and that creative decision remains a fan-favourite twist.
Behind the scenes, Robbie’s dedication to bringing authenticity to Harley Quinn saw her and screenwriter Christina Hodson embark on a preproduction safari. Their mission: to find a hyena that could embody the essence of Quinn’s untamed spirit. The idea was as audacious as it was alarming, "We thought it would be hilarious to have one of Harley’s hyenas in the film,” Robbie reminisced, only to realize that working with a real hyena would be a gargantuan challenge.
The team's encounter with the hyena named Fonzi didn’t pan out, as Robbie recalls, "He was obviously very dangerous, and anything you gave him was his.” Director Cathy Yan’s quip, "It didn’t make sense to have a real hyena on set and have Margot feed it Twizzlers," echoed the sentiment of safety first, creativity second.
Also Read: Remember when Margot Robbie was the last to know about Harley Quinn's tragic end?
Not one to shy away from a challenge, Robbie's portrayal of Harley Quinn wasn't just about the laughs or the makeup—it was also about the gruelling stunts, especially on roller skates. Robbie's determination saw her skating into the hearts of fans, even when it meant colliding with co-stars. "Making contact with other human bodies whilst on wheels proved to be more difficult than I anticipated,” she confessed.
Remember the dizzying fight scene on a rotating carousel? That was no CG magic—it was pure Robbie resilience. Cathy Yan’s recollection of the physically taxing shoot, "I remember asking Margot to do one more take, and she looked over me like, ‘Are you sure?’” speaks volumes of Robbie's tenacity.
Reflecting on these behind-the-scenes trials and tribulations, it's evident that Robbie’s work ethic was as formidable as her character's. Christina Hodson's awe, "I’ve never ever seen Margot that tired before,” only cements Robbie's reputation as an actress who truly immerses herself in her roles.
As fans today revisit Birds of Prey, they're reminded not just of the explosive on-screen action, but also of the sweat and spirit Robbie poured into becoming Harley Quinn. Her performance was more than a depiction; it was a manifestation of Harley's heart and hustle—a reminder that sometimes, in Hollywood, the real heroics happen off-screen.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)