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Honestly, when the first trailers for Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) dropped back in late 2019, the internet did what it does best: it argued. People were obsessed with the costumes, the R-rating, and specifically, the casting of Jurnee Smollett as Dinah Lance, aka Black Canary. Some purists were up in arms because she didn't look like a carbon copy of the 1940s comic book art. But then the movie actually came out. And suddenly, those same skeptics were hit with one of the most physically impressive and emotionally grounded superhero debuts in the last decade.
Jurnee Smollett didn't just play a hero. She lived in that world. You've probably seen the "Canary Cry" scene by now—the one where the air literally ripples—but the road to that moment was way more intense than a simple day on a green screen set.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jurnee Smollett’s Black Canary
There is this weird misconception that Jurnee Smollett was just "another actor" cast in a big-budget ensemble. Not even close. She was actually a massive fan of the character long before she ever got the script. Specifically, she grew up playing as Black Canary in the video game Injustice 2. That's where she first fell in love with the "primal" nature of the character's powers.
When she finally landed the role, she didn't just rely on the source material. She fought for the character's identity. Jurnee has spoken openly about calling producer Margot Robbie and insisting on hiring a Black hairstylist, Nikki Nelms, to ensure Dinah’s look felt authentic to a woman of color living in Gotham’s East End. It wasn't about "diversity" as a buzzword; it was about making the character feel like a real person who exists in a real city.
The Brutal Training That Nobody Talks About
If you think those fight scenes looked painful, it's because they sort of were. Jurnee trained for five months with 87eleven, the same legendary stunt team that handles the John Wick franchise. We’re talking five days a week of martial arts, weightlifting, and grueling choreography.
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- She did her own stunts whenever humanly possible.
- The alleyway fight—the first one we see her in—was actually the first sequence they filmed. Talk about pressure.
- She had to learn how to fight in a way that felt "untrained" but powerful, since this version of Dinah was trying to suppress her past.
She wasn't just throwing punches; she was telling a story through her movement. In the film, Dinah starts as a reluctant singer for Roman Sionis (played with delightful creepiness by Ewan McGregor). She's a woman who has been burned by the system and her own family legacy. Jurnee played that weariness so well that when she finally lets out that sonic scream at the end, it feels like a literal release of years of pent-up trauma.
The Secret Influence of the "Canary Cry"
While most fans assumed the sonic scream was just CGI, Jurnee wanted the physical toll to look real. She studied the way the character moved in Injustice 2—how she has to "rev herself up" to unleash that kind of power. It’s guttural. It’s exhausting. You can see it in her face during the final battle at the Amusement Mile; she isn't just opening her mouth, she's pushing her entire body to the limit.
Is the Black Canary Spin-off Still Happening?
This is the big question everyone is asking in 2026. The history of this project is a total rollercoaster. In 2021, it was officially announced that Jurnee Smollett would return for a standalone Black Canary movie on HBO Max, with her longtime collaborator Misha Green (Lovecraft Country) writing the script.
Then came the Great Warner Bros. Discovery Shakeup.
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For a long time, it felt like the project had vanished into the same void as the cancelled Batgirl movie. However, unlike other projects, the Black Canary spin-off was never officially axed. Jurnee has remained vocal about her love for the character, and rumors have persisted about the project being retooled for the new DC Universe (DCU) headed by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Whether it’s a solo film or a role in a larger "Justice League" style ensemble, the fan demand hasn't faded. People want more of this specific iteration of Dinah Lance. She’s one of the few highlights from the "DCEU" era that fans almost universally want to see carry over into the new era.
Why Her Performance Aged Better Than the Box Office
Look, Birds of Prey didn't set the world on fire at the box office. It made about $201 million against an $84 million budget. Not a disaster, but not a billion-dollar hit either. But "cult classic" status is real. Over the last few years, the movie has found a massive second life on streaming.
Why? Because it has a soul.
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The chemistry between Jurnee, Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead (Huntress), and Rosie Perez (Renee Montoya) felt genuine. It wasn't a "girl power" movie written by a committee; it was a gritty, colorful, chaotic look at female friendship and survival. And at the center of that emotional core was Jurnee Smollett’s Dinah. She was the most "human" of the group—the one who just wanted to pay her rent and keep her head down until she realized she couldn't ignore the injustice around her anymore.
What You Can Do Next
If you’re a fan of Jurnee Smollett's work and want to see more of that "Black Canary energy" while we wait for news on her DC return, check out Lovecraft Country on Max. Her performance as Letitia Lewis is arguably some of her best work and shows off that same fierce, protective spirit. Also, keep an eye on official DC Studios announcements; the transition into the "Gods and Monsters" phase of the DCU is still unfolding, and there’s a massive opening for a street-level hero like Dinah.
Watch the Birds of Prey fight scenes again, but this time, look at Jurnee’s footwork. You’ll see the months of 87eleven training in every single frame. It’s a masterclass in how to transition from a child star to a legitimate action powerhouse.