‘The Mindy Project’ and Live by Night actor Chris Messina has officially joined the cast of Warner Bros.’ upcoming DC Comics adaptation, Birds of Prey. The casting adds a notable character actor to the ensemble for a film centered on Harley Quinn and a group of female vigilantes from the DC universe.
Messina will appear in the film as the villain Victor Zsasz, a chilling and infamous adversary from the Batman mythos. Zsasz is best known in the comics as a methodical serial killer who marks each murder by carving a tally into his own skin. That visceral, unsettling trait has made the character a memorable and disturbing presence in DC stories. The role was previously portrayed on television by Anthony Carrigan in the series Gotham.
The news of Messina’s casting follows reports that John Leguizamo, who had been linked to the project, departed the production. Details surrounding Leguizamo’s exit have not been disclosed, and Warner Bros. has not revealed the full extent of Messina’s screen time. What is clear is that adding Messina brings a recognizable face and proven dramatic range to the film’s roster of villains and supporting players.
Left: Chris Messina in ‘The Mindy Project’. Right: Victor Zsasz (DC Comics)
The film’s full title, Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn), signals a fresh, character-driven take on Harley Quinn’s story following her break from the Joker. Margot Robbie returns to the role of Harley Quinn in the lead, and the project is positioned as a Warner Bros. DC Comics release focused on Harley’s independence and the ensemble of women who ally with or oppose her.
Also onboard is Ewan McGregor, who has been cast as the principal antagonist Black Mask, a crime lord with a theatrical, masked identity who figures prominently in Gotham’s underworld. The film is directed by Cathy Yan, known for the indie feature Dead Pigs, and is being presented as a stylized, genre-aware entry in the DC film slate.
Co-stars announced for Birds of Prey include Mary Elizabeth Winstead as the Huntress and Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary. Both characters are integral members of the Birds of Prey team in DC Comics lore: Huntress brings a fierce, tactical edge and a complex moral compass, while Black Canary is known for her martial skill and iconic sonic “canary cry.” Their inclusion underscores the film’s ensemble nature and its focus on a group dynamic rather than a solo hero narrative.
For fans of the comics and of DC’s cinematic universe, the presence of Victor Zsasz offers a darker, more psychological villain who contrasts with the film’s energetic and chaotic protagonist, Harley Quinn. Messina’s casting suggests the filmmakers are leaning into authentic portrayals of DC’s rogues gallery, balancing blockbuster spectacle with character-driven menace.
Production details remain selective: the precise scope of Messina’s role is not public, and the reasons for earlier casting changes have not been confirmed by studio representatives. What is known is the creative team’s ambition to craft a film that blends action, humor, and a distinctly female perspective on vigilante justice, as indicated by the title and the ensemble casting choices.
Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is scheduled for release on 7 February 2020. As the release date approaches, audiences can expect additional casting announcements, trailers, and promotional material that will clarify character roles and the tone of the film. For now, Chris Messina’s addition as Victor Zsasz adds a new element of intrigue and menace to a project already drawing attention for its unique take on Harley Quinn and the wider DC universe.