The upcoming DC movie Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) will not feature Jared Leto’s Joker, according to star Margot Robbie.
Variety (via Newsarama) reports that Robbie confirmed Leto’s Joker will not appear in the film, even as a cameo, although a direct quote from Robbie was not given.
Harley Quinn is intrinsicly linked to the Clown Prince of Crime considering he created her and she fell manically in love with him, as seen in 2016’s Suicide Squad movie, but Birds of Prey picks up after Harley and Joker have broken up, which is why he won’t appear. Although, as the trailers have shown, the Joker’s presence will still be felt in the upcoming movie, as we see Harley throwing knives at a drawing of Joker and we watch as Harley seemingly blows up ACE Chemicals, the place where Joker fell into a vat of acid as part of his origin story and where he gave Harley her own villainous baptism.
Source: IGN.com Jared Leto's Joker Will Not Be in Birds of Prey