The final major cast member for the film adaptation of DC Comics’ ‘Birds of Prey’ has been found. Newcomer Ella Jay Basco will portray young assassin, Cassandra Cain. In the comics, Cassandra is the daughter of assassins David Cain and Lady Shiva, and was raised by David, who never taught her to read or speak– just kill. For a time, she operated as Batgirl but is now known as The Orphan.
According to earlier reports, the film would depict The Huntress as Black Mask’s enforcer and hired gun. But after she discovers that he was responsible for her family’s deaths, she turns against him. Black Mask then brings in Cassandra as her replacement. The Huntress, Black Canary, Harley Quinn, and Gotham City police detective Renee Montoya set out to not only bring down Black Mask but to rescue Cassandra from a life as a professional killer.
However, according to a more recent report from Variety, the film actually has Cassandra coming into possession of a diamond that Black Mask is after. It’s possible that both stories could somehow be combined.
Basco is a relative newcomer, but has appeared on ‘Teachers’, ‘Veep’, ‘Superior Donuts’, and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’.
Margot Robbie is producing ‘Birds of Prey’ and will reprise her role as Harley Quinn. Jurnee Smollett-Bell and Mary Elizabeth Winstead will play Black Canary and The Huntress, respectively. Rosie Perez will play Renee Montoya, while Ewan McGregor portrays Black Mask. Cathy Yan is directing, with a script by Christina Hodson. Reportedly, the film will be rated-R. Though the picture is set in Gotham City, it is known that for some reason, Batman will be MIA.
It’s unknown whether or not Basco’s Cassandra will become Batgirl, but Warner Brothers is developing a ‘Batgirl’ solo film with Hodson penning that also, so it’s possible, even though the most famous Batgirl is Barbara Gordon, who has yet to appear in a DC movie.
‘Birds of Prey’ is expected to premiere in theaters on February 7, 2020.
