Harley Quinn and Joker are out there in the DC movie-verse now, but the third piece of the Arkham Asylum triumvirate is missing. Which crazed villain am I talking about? None other than Dr. Pamela Lillian Isley, aka Poison Ivy.
I can understand why the executives wouldn't want to premier Poison Ivy the "Suicide Squad" movie, but they've clearly got more Batman movies and possibly a "Suicide Squad" sequel in the works. It would be nice to see some Arkham Asylum escapees in general, but I've got my eye on two very specific criminals from the rogues gallery. Here's five reasons why I think Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy need to star in a movie together.
1. We need more women in comic book adaptations
It is 2016. It's long past time for both Marvel and DC to start putting out solo movies with strong, female leads. We have Wonder Woman coming out soon and Captain Marvel after that, but otherwise it's a long string of male-centric films being planned. In most ensemble movies (excluding the X-men franchise), the one or two female characters barely get screen time. We are on the cusp of having a female president; there has not been a time more apt to have a film starring two (or three) strong female characters, especially if those two of the three are highly educated - like a psychiatrist or perhaps, a scientist with her PhD.
2. Everyone loves an anti-hero
The tortured hero plot central to Batman and Superman has been beaten to death over the last fifty years. Off-center heroes have been on the rise to replace the tired trope. It started off slowly with characters like Wolverine and Iron Man setting the stage, but the takeover has finally gained increasing momentum and leverage through increasing popularity. Deadpool destroyed competition at the box office, surprising everyone with it earnings despite its R rating. In tandem, Suicide Squad is doing fairly well despite the negative reviews it has solicited. But, nothing makes bad look as good as when Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy are together.
3. Poison Ivy's eco-terrorism has never been more relevant
Whether you like it or not, human effects on the environment are a global issue right now and so, now is a window of opportunity for a mad botanist to break through and try saving the world through fighting plants. If you don't believe in climate change, you can go watch Batman and crew take down this plant-growing villian. If you're frustrated with people denying climate change, watching someone destroy corporations polluting Gotham with giant plants will be very rewarding. Everyone wins...except Gotham.
4. There could be some much-needed LGBT+ representation
The only thing more under-represented in superhero flicks than women is the LGBT+ community. It wouldn't be too different from the comics if these two leading ladies were also in a romantic relationship outside of their day jobs as super-villains. After all, the two are known to become partners-in-crime after the Joker nearly kills Harley Quinn. Most fans already think these two are partners in more ways than one and they have the potential for some serious chemistry. A pansexual Harley Quinn and bi-sexual Poison Ivy? Sign me up.
4a. If the directors don't go that route, this duo is probably the most epic BFFs in...ever?
Even if these two femme fatales don't end up entangled in an on-screen relationship, their criminal partnership will still be pure fun to watch. You can grab your own BFF and gleefully watch these two besties wreak havoc on Gotham. Here's a sample dialogue from the Arkham Asylum video game, just to give you an idea of their interactions:
5. Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy could be easily humanized to make a mind-bending experience
Do you root for the vigilante Batman against evil? What if he was attacking the victim of domestic violence and an incredibly abusive relationship trying to get her life together again? What if he was trying to destroy a woman taking care of orphans after an earthquake? The gritty tones that DC tried to bring to "Man of Steel" wouldn't need to be forced in a movie committed to showcasing these two criminals in all their delightfully crazed glory.
What are we waiting for, DC?
