Actor Ewan McGregor has joined the Birds of Prey cast. He will be stepping into the role of Black Mask, aka Roman Sionis. Black Mask is a Gotham City mob boss who leads the False Face Society gang.
McGregor is a well-known and award-winning actor. Most recognized for his roles as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars, Christian in Moulin Rouge!, and more recently the titular role in Christopher Robin. The Scottish actor won a Golden Globe for his performance in Fargo in 2014. McGregor is also known for his two motorcycle trips around the world, Long Way Round and Long Way Down, with fellow actor Charley Boorman.
Without giving too much away, Black Mask is wealthy and influential, using that to amass a group of fanatical followers. The character made his first comic debut in the 1980’s by writer Doug Moench. As with many of Gotham’s villains, Black Mask has a special vendetta towards Batman. Aside from appearing in the video games Arkham Origins and Arkham Knight, the character of Black Mask made its first live-action appearance in the TV series Gotham. Todd Stashwick played Richard Sionis, a wealthy businessman running a fight club, that many fans believe was the father of Roman Sionis.
Few details have come about regarding Birds of Prey. The director is Cathy Yan, the producer is Sue Kroll, and the screenplay is being done by Christina Hodson. Hodson is also writing Batgirl for Warners. The film will be Rated R.
Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask will join Margot Robbie who is reprising her role as Harley Quinn of Suicide Squad. The film will also feature Mary Elizabeth Winstead (10 Cloverfield Lane, Scott Pilgrim vs the World)Â as Huntress, and Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Underground, Friday Night Lights) as Black Canary. Cassandra Cain will also be featured, who is one of the women who took on the role of Batgirl in the comics.
What do you think about this casting? Is Black Mask the right villain for the Birds of Prey movie? Let us know in the comments below!