Will the "Suicide Squad" movie's Harley Quinn play a pivotal role in director David Ayer's adaptation? The follow-up to DC's bid for its own cinematic universe will feature an unlikely ensemble of anti-heroes.

DC is a relative late bloomer in graphic novel adaptations; with Marvel in a good lead laying the foundation, both in theaters and in TV. DC is catching up with the anticipated (though with mixed expectations) "Batman Vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice."

"Suicide Squad" movie director David Ayer will bolster DC's best bid against the MCU, though, according to Screen Rant. One of the shortcomings of the Marvel Comic Universe is its rather lukewarm lineup of villains, something which its film adaptations compensated for.

DC has the upper hand in villains, especially with its dark horse release "Suicide Squad." Adapting the movie comes with the dilemma of canon, though.

DC's ensemble of villains and anti-heroes has gone through plenty of incarnations, ever since its 1959 debut as "The Brave and the Bold, Suicide Squad": the team has been overhauled through the years, with the most recent version created by John Ostrander.

Ayer expressed his dilemma in a tweet, with "the eternal question: to canon or not to canon," in reference to creative license and leeway for the adaptation.

The "Suicide Squad" movie's Harley Quinn is a dominant character in the ensemble, and Ayer confirmed as much. Quinn is automatically linked to Batman's nemesis The Joker, and is expected as a crucial tie-in as DC expands its universe.

"The case of Harley Quinn: Her madness defines her. Is she mad because of WHO she loves or because she loves him so much?" Ayer mused on Quinn's complex character, in a tweet.

The official plot of "Suicide Squad" is yet to be revealed, but with a promising ensemble cast confirmed. The movie is slated an August 5, 2015 release date.