‘Birds of Prey’ Adds Chris Messina as Villain Victor Zsasz

Ewan McGregor’s Black Mask isn’t the only bad guy in town.

Chris Messina is in talks to play the DC villain Victor Zsasz in Warner Bros.’ Birds of Prey, sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter. 

In DC comic book lore, Victor Zsasz is a serial killer and foe of Batman. Created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle for the Shadow of the Bat series in 1992, the character is known for favoring knives and adding a cut to himself for every victim he kills. Anthony Carrigan has played the character in Fox’s Gotham.

Zsasz — named for real-life psychiatrist Thomas Szasz — is an ersatz Bruce Wayne; a child of wealth and head of an international business whose life was changed by a chance encounter on the streets of Gotham City. After losing his parents and his fortune, he was driven to the point of suicide, only to have his attempt interrupted by a mugging attempt. Fighting with his mugger, he suffered a psychotic break and became a nihilistic serial killer who traditionally preys on women.

Related Stories

Movies

How a 'Pooh' Slasher Flick May Have Tipped Hong Kong Towards Greater Beijing Censorship

TV

Series Mania 2023: Michael Sheen, Margot Bancilhon Take Top Acting Prizes

John Leguizamo was at one point going to take the role of Zsasz in Birds of Prey, but ended up dropping out.

Messina is known for his work as Doctor Danny Castellano on The Mindy Project and recently appeared in HBO’s Sharp Objects. He has the feature The True Adventures of Wolfboy coming up.

Birds of Prey is directed by Cathy Yan and stars Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, who assembles a team of women to take on a mission. The star revealed the lengthy, full title last month: Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn). Robbie’s co-stars include Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Huntress, Jurnee Smollett-Bell as Black Canary, Rosie Perez as Renee Montoya and Ella Jay Basco as Cassandra Cain. 

Sue Kroll is producing via her Kroll & Co Entertainment banner, along with Robbie and her LuckyChap Entertainment and Bryan Unkeless’ Clubhouse Pictures.

Warner Bros.’ Birds of Prey (And The Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn) is set to fly into theaters on Feb. 7, 2020.

Messina is repped by CAA and Management 360.