Exclusive Sneak Peek into SDCC 2023: Harley Quinn Season 4 Teaser Promises Thrilling Harlivy Romance and Explosive Batfam Drama

Summary

According to supervising producers Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton and Ian Hamilton, Ivy assumes control of the Legion of Doom, under the watchful eye of Lex Luthor, while Harley grapples with her newfound role as a heroic figure.

Despite their divergent paths, Harley and Ivy's relationship endures, as they consistently find means to protect themselves and their bond. In season 4 of Harley Quinn, Harley and Ivy navigate the delicate balance between their relationship and their individual endeavors. While Harley embarks on a new adventure within the Batfamily, Ivy assumes a leadership role within the Legion of Doom. Despite Harley's challenges in adhering to the Batfamily's strict code, particularly the prohibition against killing, they both long for their absent leader, Bruce Wayne, who is currently incarcerated.

The cast of Harley Quinn includes Kaley Cuoco, Lake Bell, Alan Tudyk, Ron Funches, Tony Hale, Jason Alexander, and Diedrich Bader. Cuoco is also an executive producer along with Dean Lorey, Justin Halpern, and Patrick Schumacker. The fourth season of Harley Quinn will premiere on Max on July 27.

Supervising producers Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton and Ian Hamilton recently spoke to Screen Rant at San Diego Comic-Con about season 4 of Harley Quinn. They discussed the challenges that Harley faces as she tries to adapt to being a hero, as well as Bruce Wayne's journey of self-reflection while in prison. They also reassured fans that Harley and Ivy's relationship is going strong, and that Ivy is learning to navigate her new role of leading the Legion of Doom with Lex Luthor keeping a watchful eye.

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton & Ian Hamilton Talk Harley Quinn Season 4

Screen Rant: How many times have you come to a Comic-Con and in what capacity?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: I've visited this place a few times before. One of my initial speaking engagements was on a panel for DC Superhero Girls. It was one of my earliest projects with Warner Brothers, and this was a few years ago. It was a fantastic experience, and I had the opportunity to do it twice. I'm thrilled to be back here again.

Ian Hamilton: Yeah, I typically attend as a fan. I've also been here numerous times, mainly to purchase comic books and toys and enjoy the company of our children.

After watching the season 4 trailer of Harley Quinn, it appears that she is struggling to adapt to a non-lethal approach. Can you give us some insight into her interactions with the Bat Family?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: It's truly exhilarating to witness Harley in this state. At the conclusion of season 3, we aimed to delve into this aspect of her character. We witnessed her contemplating the possibility of goodness and aiding others. In season 4, she embarks on a journey to explore this aspect of herself. However, upon joining the Bat Family, it becomes evident that she is quite inept in following their regulations, specifically the prohibition on killing. She encounters various difficulties and what makes this season enjoyable is observing Harley's endeavor to acquire the skills of a hero.

Will Harley and Ivy be able to survive and thrive as both villains and heroes? Ian Hamilton suggests that what makes Harley and Ivy so beloved is their deep love for each other. They are a couple as significant as Superman and Lois Lane, and their relationship is treated with the same importance. Their story is not a will-they or won't-they situation like Sam and Diane; it is a certainty that they will be together because their love is strong. While they may not always save the day, they will always save themselves, their relationship, and ultimately emerge victorious.

I've really enjoyed seeing glimpses of the Bat Family members in the past few seasons, but I'm expecting to see them more often now. How does it feel to explore this side of DC Comics?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: Having the Bat Family is incredible. What's intriguing is that we've taken Batman out of the equation. Bruce is currently in jail, as we saw in the season 3 finale. So, we're focusing on the younger members of the Bat Family... Night Wing, Bat Girl, and Robin, and now we have an unexpected element with Harley. They find themselves in many comedic situations.

Bruce Wayne went through a difficult time in the previous season, dealing with his zombie parents and facing rejection from Selina multiple times. Now, without Batman in the picture, the question arises: will we see Bruce in jail, and if so, how has that affected him?

In the upcoming season, we will witness Bruce spending a significant amount of time behind bars. His character goes through a transformation, allowing us to see a deeper side of Bruce Wayne. As Harley Quinn herself asks, "Who is Harley Quinn?", Bruce also takes the opportunity to reflect on his own identity as Bruce Wayne and contemplate his actions and motives.

I'm a huge fan of the original Harley team, but I can't help but feel that King Shark was unjustly deprived of significant screen time in the previous season. Could you please shed some light on King Shark's involvement in the current season? Can we expect to see more of him?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: Prepare to be pleasantly surprised! There will be a generous dose of King Shark in store for you, and what sets our characters apart is their multi-dimensional nature. They continuously evolve and grow, never confined to a single role. This season, we'll get a glimpse of a previously unseen side of King Shark. He transforms into a responsible family man who must secure a job, taking on the role of the IT expert within the Legion of Doom. It's exciting to delve into fresh aspects of our characters with each new season.

Speaking of the Legion of Doom, could you provide some insights into the intriguing Ivy and Luthor dynamic?

Ian Hamilton finds it amusing that Ivy has become one of the most influential individuals worldwide solely due to her own abilities. In season 3's finale, she came close to obliterating the entire planet. It's comical to witness her now leading an organization of wicked individuals known as the Legion of Doom, with Lex Luthor supposedly being her aloof boss. Imagine having Lex Luthor as your boss, someone who tries to act cool but is ultimately still Lex Luthor. What kind of life would that be?

I appreciate how this show has successfully transformed characters like Kite Man, who would typically go unnoticed, into memorable ongoing jokes and multi-dimensional individuals. What is the secret behind this success, and what can we anticipate from Kite Man and Golden Glider?

The success of the show can be attributed to taking beloved characters and placing them in unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations. The humor arises from their reactions to these circumstances. Kite Man's storyline, specifically his relationship with Ivy and the subsequent heartbreak, was enjoyable to witness. Despite feeling sympathy for him, it's worth noting that he has his own show, suggesting that he is doing reasonably well.

What is his role on that show? Are you aware or able to disclose?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: Unfortunately, we are currently not involved in that particular show. We have recently finished working on season 4 of Harley Quinn, which is a separate production. However, I have caught a few glimpses, and I believe the fans will be extremely pleased.

Ian Hamilton: It's called Kite Man: Hell Yeah! You have Kite Man being awesome, at least in his own mind, and hilarious.

Last season, James Gunn made a memorable appearance as the director of a DC Batman movie. Now, this connection has become a reality. How much more interconnected would you say this season is with the wider DC Universe?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: Our show frequently includes nods to popular movie franchises. In terms of the DC Universe, our hope is to have another season after this one. We are aware that James Gunn is a fan and he even made an appearance in one of our episodes, so it's likely that he enjoys the show. We are optimistic about continuing the show for another season.

By creating a significant storyline for him in the upcoming season, you will greatly contribute to his success. The important aspect is that everyone involved in the production of the show is a devoted follower of the DC universe. With any luck, both James Gunn and other fans of the DC universe will appreciate the direction in which Harley Quinn is taken, ensuring her loyalty regardless.

The Valentine's Day special from last season was one of the most memorable episodes. It left me intrigued and slightly uneasy, in a positive sense. Are there any other holidays that will be highlighted in Harley Quinn, or is there a particular holiday you believe deserves more attention?

Cecilia Aranovich Hamilton: I truly hope that there will be more specials in the future. However, as of now, the Valentine's Day special was a unique occurrence. I am not aware of any plans to create another one, but I would be thrilled to do so.

Ian Hamilton and I are big fans of Christmas. We think it would be great if any executives out there consider a Hanukkah and Christmas special featuring characters like Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy.

About Harley Quinn Season 4

Debuting on Max on July 27, Harley Quinn makes her return in the fourth season. In the first episode, Harley finds herself facing the challenge of earning respect from the Bat Family, while Ivy encounters a similar situation at the Legion of Doom.