The CW recently released a new featurette for its upcoming super hero adaptation serial.
Arrow takes the story of the DC Comics character Green Arrow, and moves him into a more realistic environment, asking the essential question: what would Oliver Queen have been like if he was a real person in our world – rather than originating from a place where vigilantes are usually colorful characters?
The direction is still a bit unclear with different sources taking different directions on the idea of the realism of the show, so I suppose that’s something we’ll have to keep a closer eye on.
What we do know is that the story of the show is intended to cover a dual narrative for Oliver. The main action will be taking place in the present in Starling City (based on Star City from the Green Arrow comics), where the hero is using his extreme bowman and acrobatic skills to take down criminals. The secondary narrative is set on the island where the protagonist was stranded on for five years, and where he developed all of his skills. Each episode will feature flash backs to the island which are relevant to that episode’s story.
The showrunners have already revealed that the serial will have a circular narrative in which the rescue from the island is depicted in the first episode as part of the primary arc, then it will be seen again in the final episode as the end of the secondary arc.
Along the way, Oliver will meet others based on the minor and major characters from the comic. Announced so far is China White, Deadshot, and Black Canary among a few others. They won’t use these names, however. Anyone who isn’t familiar with the comics may noe even realize the show’s origins, which is the point, I guess.
This new featurette splices an interview with actress Katie Cassidy, who will be playing Laurel Lance in the show, with some footage we’ve mostly already seen. Laurel is intended to be a version of Black Canary, Green Arrow’s leggy sidekick – and lover – from the comics. Cassidy is discussing her character’s motivations in the show.
Looks like there will be a lot of tension between Oliver and Laurel, at least in the begining. I would guess that it will be nearly the entire first season before we see the two fighting crime together.
I’m cautiously looking forward to this show’s premiere. Green Arrow is my favorite DCU super person, and I would love to see more of his stories. Unlike Superman, however, upon which The CW’s excellent Smallville was based, not many people know Green Arrow, and the comic’s public image will likely be strongly shaped by this show. If they mess it up, I’ll be sad.
Arrow, which stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, begins airing Wednesday evenings starting October 10th, 2012 on The CW.
