DC’s Black Canary movie is still happening at HBO Max (but what about Blue Beetle?)

In a pleasant surprise, it has been confirmed that DC’s Black Canary movie is still in development at HBO Max.

The Black Canary still cries. Yes, in news that will undoubtedly come as music to fans’ ears, the much-anticipated Birds of Prey spin-off film starring Jurnee Smollett is still in development at HBO Max.

There had been concern that the film may not make it to the production stage after the shocking cancellation of Batgirl just last week – a planned HBO Max movie which had already completed initial production. However, a spokesperson for Warner Bros. Pictures has confirmed to TVLine that the Black Canary movie is still in development at the streamer.

Smollett first portrayed the character in DCEU film Birds of Prey (And the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Reception to the film was positive, but there was some criticism over the fact that a movie titled Birds of Prey centred on Harley Quinn instead of its titular antiheroes, especially as Smollett’s Dinah Lance was so well received.

Originally announced last year, the Black Canary project will hopefully give Dinah the spotlight she deserves. It will also see Smollett re-team with Lovecraft Country writer Misha Green, who is penning the script.

Black Canary survives Warner Bros.’ reshuffling of the DCEU

It’s been a tough week to be a DCEU fan, and an even tougher year to be a DC fan in general. As Warner Bros. Discovery put their controversial stamp on Warner Bros. itself, cancellations have followed, the most shocking of which was HBO Max’s Batgirl.

Fans understandably feared for other upcoming HBO Max movies set in the DC Extended Universe like Black Canary, as well as Blue Beetle – at one point a HBO Max original film, which had been recently handed a theatrical release instead.

While there has yet to be any update on the latter, the confirmation that the Black Canary will cry again is a promising sign. Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealed the company’s new 10-year plan for DC films, and it appears that Black Canary is a part of that. And that is a silver lining in a very dark week for DC.

Are you glad to hear that the Black Canary movie will go ahead at HBO Max? Let us know in the comments below!