According to rumors, James Gunn will make Green Arrow a part of his Justice League team in the DCU. The character has a decent fanbase, thanks to Stephen Amell’s eight-season run as Oliver Queen in The CW show, Arrow. Earlier, Zack Snyder tried to include the character in the DCEU, with another actor considered for the role, but it didn’t ultimately work out. Interestingly, rumors also suggest that DCU will make Black Canary his partner.
Amell expressed interest in reprising the character for a film version, which also didn’t happen probably due to Amell’s personal life troubles. The character Black Canary appeared in the DCEU, played by Jurnee Smollett, in the film Birds of Prey.
James Gunn Might Bring Both Green Arrow and Black Canary Into The DCU
According to @comicodigy, James Gunn is reportedly eyeing two major characters to be part of the Justice League. Gunn has already established his love for the character Green Arrow when he shared with a fan on X that he used to dress up as him all the time as a kid. Gunn may also introduce Black Canary as a partner to Oliver Queen in the DCU.
RUMOR:
James Gunn already has plans for Green Arrow and Black Canary in the DCU pic.twitter.com/ErjnoLawbM— Comicodigy (@comicodigy) May 22, 2024
According to DC Comics, Oliver Queen has been a part of the Justice League since he first appeared in More Fun Comics #73 in 1941. The character was created by Mort Weisinger and George Papp and was later reinvented by Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neil. He made his first live-action appearance in Smallville, played by Justin Hartley, where he featured as a main character in the later seasons.
In 2012, Stephen Amell was roped in to play the character for The CW show Arrow. It also kicked off a connected universe of DC characters, also involving Supergirl and The Flash. David S. Goyer and Justin Marks wrote a script for a Green Arrow movie, titled Escape from Super Max, in 2008, but it never happened.
Fans on X were thrilled to learn that the character would be a part of a cinematic universe finally. One fan suggested that Gunn better make an action rom-com with Green Arrow and Black Canary. Others also requested him to make them a couple in this film. One fan had a casting suggestion for Gunn, sharing that Austin Butler and Elizabeth Lail would make for a convincing duo.
One fan hoped that The Suicide Squad director would bring them into the universe from the first Justice League team-up onwards. Another mentioned that it was hard to imagine another actor playing Arrow other than Amell, but they were still looking forward to it. Some of the fan reactions read:
Better be an action rom com with them both
— Cameron (@cam_ross0828) May 22, 2024
Make them a couple this time, like a real one
— Rizky Rizal (@riezkyriezal) May 22, 2024
Austin Butler and Elizabeth Lail would make a good Green Arrow and Black Canary. pic.twitter.com/kwyLXOOVwh
— geek boy (@venganceoutside) May 22, 2024
This isn’t even a rumour, it’s common sense.
— DCfan101 (@Raptors243443) May 22, 2024
Yes please I pray they're apart of the first Justice League film in the DCU
— Reyesreviews_23 (@ElectroJ11) May 22, 2024
gonna be real difficult to adjust to someone that ain’t stephen amell but i’m here for it
— Brody Worley (@snydersucksass) May 22, 2024
Fans also hope to see how James Gunn builds the imaginary city of Star City where the character ultimately becomes a Mayor. Gunn’s portrayal of the character would be very different from the Green Arrow that fans are familiar with from The CW show. The Guardians of the Galaxy director would aim for a more comically accurate portrayal.
Why Did Zack Snyder Fail To Introduce Green Arrow?
Zack Snyder‘s DCEU tried to cast one actor in the Green Arrow role but he turned down the role. While Snyder was not directly involved in the casting, DC executives approached Charlie Hunnam to star in the DCEU films. He had a fan base from playing Jax Teller in FX’s Sons of Anarchy and the execs were excited to have him on board.
However, Hunnam told ComicBook.com that he didn’t share the same enthusiasm since he was not aware of the character. He told them that green wasn’t his color and spandex wasn’t his material, turning the offer down. Hunnam shared with ComicBook.com:
I never talked to [Snyder] about it. Honestly, I don’t remember who. Yeah, it was some people in suits brought the idea to me and thought it would be terribly exciting for me to play Green Arrow, but I did not share their enthusiasm…
I don’t know who Green Arrow is, so I don’t wanna offend anyone. I looked at one picture and I was like, ‘I’m not sure green’s my color and I’m pretty sure spandex isn’t my material.’ Beyond that, I was like ‘one image, thanks, not interested.
Hunnam has now collaborated with Snyder finally in his two-part space saga for Netflix, Rebel Moon. He plays a mercenary and starship pilot, Kai, who’s hired by the central character Kora, played by Sofia Boutella.
