If you've been paying any attention to the world of TV and movies you'll notice one trend: Superheroes are everywhere. Between the Marvel Cinematic Universe, DC Extended Universe, and the various television properties that each company produces, you can't turn a corner without running into a comic book adaptation. And while this is exciting for fans, it can get a bit confusing when trying to differentiate each set of stories. The DCEU has completely separated itself from The CW's Arrowverse, and as such there are two versions of a handful of DC heroes.
Stephen Amell plays Oliver Queen/ Green Arrow in Arrow. While participating in a panel during Salt Lake Comic Con, Amell was asked how he'd feel if Green Arrow was recast for the big screen. Luckily for us, one busy Youtuber captured it all on film. Here's what he said.
I do not have a right to Oliver Queen. Someone played it played it before me. Someone voiced it before me. Somebody will play it after me. I don't believe that there are plans for Oliver Queen in the DC Extended Universe, based off things that people have told me, but I would not be upset if that changed at all.
Well that's a classy answer if I've ever heard of it. Let's break down exactly what Stephen Amell is saying here, and how it relates to both the DCEU and the Arrowverse.
About a year ago, Stephen Amell got some major media attention by claiming that The Flash's Grant Gustin should have been cast in the same role for the movies. He has since gone back to clarify that he was mostly frustrated withe timing of Ezra Miller's casting announcement, claiming that it took away from the action which was happening on the small screen. As such, fans assumed that Amell wouldn't be pleased if Oliver Queen was recast for a Justice League appearance, but that doesn't appear to be the case.
DC is in a funny position when it comes to the relationship between its small screen properties and the DC Extended Universe. With the DCEU growing at a rapid pace, there are now doubles of the same character being portrayed in both TV and movies. Superman is being played by Henry Cavill in the movies and newcomer Tyler Hoechlin in TV's Supergirl, and The Flash is being shared by both Grant Gustin and Ezra Miller. With the Arrowverse being so popular on the CW, it may be a bit confusing for fans as to why there are doubles of the most popular superheroes of all time.
With the precedent that the DCEU has set, we can assume that if Green Arrow comes to the big screen, he won't be played by Stephen Amell. Fans have been campaigning for Matt Damon to take on the bow and hood, but only time will tell if that ever happens.
Arrow will return to The CW on October 5th, 2016.
