Margot Robbie: How Hollywood’s Harley Quinn Became Its Smartest Power Player

There are very few actors in Hollywood today who have navigated the industry with the same mix of charisma, talent, and business acumen as Margot Robbie. Over the last decade, she has evolved from a breakout beauty on television screens in Australia to an Oscar-nominated actress and one of the most influential producers in the industry.

Most fans know her as Harley Quinn, the colorful and chaotic anti-heroine from DC’s cinematic universe. But behind the glitter and chaos, Robbie has quietly — and powerfully — transformed herself into a behind-the-scenes force with her production company LuckyChap Entertainment. This article explores the dynamic transformation of Margot Robbie from a rising starlet to a bona fide Hollywood power player.

The Australian Beginnings

Born in Queensland, Australia, Margot Robbie grew up far from the red carpets and movie sets of Los Angeles. She started acting in local productions before landing a role on the long-running soap opera Neighbours, which has been the launching pad for many Australian talents. But Robbie’s ambitions were always bigger than the small screen.

Her big break came in 2013 when she starred opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street. It was a jaw-dropping debut — not just because of her striking looks, but because she held her own in every scene, matching DiCaprio’s manic energy with fierce presence and razor-sharp wit. Overnight, Margot Robbie became Hollywood’s newest “It Girl.”

But what followed wasn’t just a series of glamorous red carpet appearances. Robbie made it clear early on that she wasn’t content with being typecast.

Hollywood Stardom: Going Beyond Beauty

In the years after The Wolf of Wall Street, Robbie took on a diverse range of roles that showcased her range and ambition. From her transformative turn as Tonya Harding in I, Tonya (2017), which earned her an Academy Award nomination, to her haunting performance as Sharon Tate in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Robbie was quickly proving she was not just a pretty face, but an actress of significant emotional depth and skill.

But even as she was climbing the ranks of A-list stardom, Robbie had her eyes on something more — control. Control over the types of stories being told, who was telling them, and who got the opportunity to star in them.

The Birth of LuckyChap Entertainment

In 2014, just a year after The Wolf of Wall Street, Robbie co-founded LuckyChap Entertainment alongside her husband Tom Ackerley and close friends Josey McNamara and Sophia Kerr. The company’s mission was simple but bold: to champion female-driven stories and give underrepresented voices a platform in mainstream cinema.

What started as a passion project has become one of the most exciting and progressive production companies in Hollywood. LuckyChap has produced a slate of critically acclaimed films, including:

• I, Tonya (2017) – the company’s first major success, earning three Oscar nominations and a win for Allison Janney.

• Promising Young Woman (2020) – written and directed by Emerald Fennell, this daring revenge thriller won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

• Barbie (2023) – the global phenomenon that broke box office records and cultural expectations alike.

Robbie isn’t just attaching her name to these projects. She’s actively involved in development, casting, and marketing, proving she understands both the creative and commercial sides of the business.

Harley Quinn: The Game-Changing Role

It’s impossible to talk about Margot Robbie’s rise without mentioning her role as Harley Quinn. First appearing in Suicide Squad (2016), Robbie reinvented the character for a new generation. While the film itself received mixed reviews, her performance was widely praised — funny, unhinged, seductive, and dangerous all at once.

She reprised the role in Birds of Prey (2020) — which she also produced — and The Suicide Squad (2021), working with director James Gunn. Her version of Harley is now considered iconic, and Robbie’s ability to bring depth and vulnerability to a chaotic comic book character is a testament to her skill.

More importantly, Harley Quinn became a symbol of female autonomy and rebellion, aligning perfectly with the feminist ethos that LuckyChap was trying to promote. It was a brilliant synergy of art and business.

Barbie: From Risk to Record Breaker

If Harley Quinn made her a household name, then Barbie (2023) made her a cultural force.

When Margot Robbie announced she would play Barbie in a live-action film, skepticism was immediate. Could a Barbie movie be anything more than product placement? Could it say anything meaningful in a post-feminist world?

With Greta Gerwig at the helm and Robbie producing, Barbie became one of the most anticipated films in recent memory. And it delivered. A bold satire wrapped in pink, Barbie grossed over $1.4 billion worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2023 and the most successful movie ever directed by a woman.

More than a blockbuster, Barbie became a conversation starter — about gender roles, capitalism, and identity. Robbie, once again, was at the center of it all: not just as a performer, but as the visionary who brought the right team together and believed in the project from the start.

Margot Robbie: The Producer-Performer Hybrid

What sets Margot Robbie apart in today’s Hollywood is her ability to bridge the gap between art and commerce. She is both a star and a tastemaker. While many A-list actors rest on their fame, Robbie is building a legacy behind the camera as much as in front of it.

In an era where many actresses struggle to find complex, leading roles, Robbie is creating them — not only for herself but for others. Her company is developing projects across film and television, with a focus on original, character-driven storytelling. She’s not waiting for the system to offer her opportunities; she’s building a new system altogether.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Margot Robbie?

Following the success of Barbie, all eyes are on what Margot Robbie does next. With her production company expanding, and her reputation as both a performer and producer solidified, she is now in a unique position: she can take risks, greenlight daring projects, and continue to shape Hollywood in her image.

Whether she chooses to return to the DC universe, dive into indie dramas, or helm more bold, genre-defying productions, one thing is clear — Margot Robbie is not just a star. She’s a storyteller, a strategist, and a visionary.

Final Thoughts

In just over a decade, Margot Robbie has gone from a breakout star in Australia to a defining figure in global cinema. With a mix of daring role choices, smart business moves, and an eye for quality storytelling, she has redefined what it means to be a modern movie star.

From Harley Quinn’s madness to Barbie’s pink revolution, Robbie has proven that she’s here to do more than just act — she’s here to change the industry.

And the most exciting part? She’s just getting started.