At the recent “Harleywood” event in Los Angeles, Ewan McGregor opened up about Black Mask’s sexuality in Birds of Prey.
Birds of Prey will mark the first big screen appearance for Batman villain Black Mask, with Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Ewan McGregor bringing the character to life. There have been various rumors surrounding Black Mask, one of which is that Ewan McGregor’s version in Birds of Prey will be openly gay.
This would be a departure for Black Mask’s portrayal in the comics, but it would also be the first time in the DCEU that a prominent character is a member of the LGBTQA+ community. Based off the Birds of Prey footage we’ve seen so far, it also appears Black Mask will have a relationship with another Batman villain in Victor Zsasz. At the Birds of Prey event, Variety asked Ewan McGregor about Black Mask’s relationship with Victor Zsasz in in the film, to which he responded:
“It’s very complicated. Their relationship is very much based in… there’s a ‘want’ and a ‘need’ in there, for sure.”
Victor Zsasz actor Chris Messina then added:
“Like a real love of anarchy”
Right at the end of the interview, Ewan McGregor gave in and pretty much confirmed that Black Mask will be gay in the Birds of Prey:
“Most likely, yes!”
Are Ewan McGregor and Chris Messina's characters gay in #BirdsofPrey? pic.twitter.com/f1avM9aGSO
— Variety (@Variety) January 24, 2020
Are you okay with this change to Black Mask’s character? Sound-off in the comments below!
Here is the official synopsis for Birds of Prey:
“You ever hear the one about the cop, the songbird, the psycho and the mafia princess? Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is a twisted tale told by Harley herself, as only Harley can tell it. When Gotham’s most nefariously narcissistic villain, Roman Sionis, and his zealous right-hand, Zsasz, put a target on a young girl named Cass, the city is turned upside down looking for her. Harley, Huntress, Black Canary and Renee Montoya’s paths collide, and the unlikely foursome have no choice but to team up to take Roman down.”
Directed by Cathy Yan from a script penned by Bumblebee writer Christina Hodson, Birds of Prey stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya, Chris Messina as Victor Zsasz, Ewan McGregor as Black Mask, and Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn. Ali Wong, Robert Catrini, and Michael Masini have also been cast in undisclosed roles.
Birds of Prey will be released in theaters on February 7, 2020. Stay tuned to Heroic Hollywood for all the latest news on Birds of Prey and Ewan McGregor’s upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi Disney Plus series!
Source: Variety
