[OT] Arrow Ending After Season 8; Will Only Be 10 Episodes

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Season 3 Casts J.R. Ramirez as Wildcat[/h]

Arrow and its sister show, The Flash, may not be connecting to the larger DC Cinematic Universe anytime soon. Instead, it looks like the shows have been steadily moving towards building a world all its own


The shows have already introduced several heroes and villains ripped straight from the pages of DC Comics. Season 3 of Arrow alone promises to bring viewers characters like Count Vertigo, Arsenal, The Atom and even League of Assassins leader Ra’s Al Ghul. Now we can add another character to that growing roster of DC icons making their way to the small screen.


According to Deadline, actor J.R. Ramirez has been cast as Ted Grant, better known by his alter-ego as superhero Wildcat, in season 3 of Arrow. Although no casting was previously revealed, Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim announced at Comic-Con that the character would be joining the series. Ramirez has appeared on shows like 90210 and Emily Owens M.D.


On the show, Grant will be a former boxer with a mysterious past and will reportedly play an integral role in Arrow’s third season, likely as a recurring character. However, considering that Wildcat is an important member of the Justice Society for America in the comics and a mentor to characters like Black Canary (an established figure on Arrow, it should be noted), it’s looking pretty clear that DC is building to a small-screen superhero team-up that will mirror what the films are doing starting with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. That development (or least the continuing buildup towards it) would certainly explain the importance in keeping Arrow and The Flash connected via cross-over events.

J.R. Ramirez

If Ramirez’s casting is further proof that a small-screen JSA is, in fact, on the way, it would certainly be an ambitious endeavor and an idea that Smallville flirted with over the years without really giving fans the steady flow of team-up episodes they wanted. In fact, pulling off a small-screen superhero team could give DC the chance to best their competitors at Marvel, which is launching its Netflix series starting with Daredevil next year and building towards a Defenders event miniseries. At this point, it’s too early to see how either comic book empire will fare in this regard, but it is clear that Arrow is taking full advantage of the deep well of DC characters.



Do you think that Ramirez’s casting is a sign pointing towards a small-screen superhero team? If so, who would you like to see added to the roster next? Sound off with your thoughts below.
Arrow season 3 premieres Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 8pm on The CW.


Source: Deadline



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defintely different from comics etc.......

 

[asfandyar]

ARROW - Season 3 - Trailer Preview with Ra’s al Ghul [VO|HD] - Vidéo Dailymotion

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Season 3 Casts David Cubitt as Manhunter[/h]

For the upcoming season of The CW’s Arrow, the show is upping the ante in terms of how many pieces are on the board. The series recently added characters who will become Wildcat, Katana, and the Atom.

Meanwhile, Arrow is bringing Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman) back into the game, moving Ra’s al Ghul out of the shadows, introducing a new version of Count Vertigo, and developing Roy Harper (Colton Haynes) into Arsenal. Then there’s the crossover with Arrow’s spinoff series, The Flash, that will begin in episode 8.



Even with all the pieces already on the board, Arrow will be adding another character who might take on the mantle of Manhunter (not to be confused with Martian Manhunter).


THR reported Medium star David Cubitt has joined Arrow’s upcoming season as Mark Shaw, one of the characters from the DC comics to go by the Manhunter moniker; the guest star will appear in episode 3 as an A.R.G.U.S. agent in Corto Maltese and he will cross paths with John Diggle (David Ramsey).



In the comics, Shaw was a public defender who aligned with a group of crime fighters called the Manhunters, though in the New 52 he appears as a U.S. Marshal and a skilled manhunter. Arrow has already given a nod to another Manhunter from the comics: Kate Spencer. However, the character on the show was killed off late in season 2.

As far as Shaw’s character, it seems Arrow has pulled more from the New 52 version and placed him with A.R.G.U.S. rather than the Marshals. Whether or not he’ll take on the name of Manhunter isn’t specified, and it seems he’ll only appear in one episode. With season 3 of Arrow delving more deeply into A.R.G.U.S. – especially Oliver’s ties to Amanda Waller (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) – it’s not surprising that the show would bring in more of the organization’s operatives in the form of Shaw.



However, with Cubitt only confirmed to appear in one episode, it doesn’t seem Arrow will give him the same multi-episode treatment as other guest stars and DC comics characters on the series. His appearance may either be a one-off or Shaw may have ties to one of the other characters that will give him a longer arc to explore – similar to the fashion in which Deadshot was introduced to the show.


Arrow season 3 premieres Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.


Source: THR

 

[Fkhan]

man in the season finale of arrow,I was shocked when The arrow commits his love for felicity .I WAS LIKE DAFUQ !! NOO NO NO NO NO !! but then it was all a setup anyways,lots of time before it starts up on tv .I think it airs usually around sept or october ?

any particular reason for not wanting them together?

 

[shahzadfootball]

any particular reason for not wanting them together?

Never date the person you work with

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Season 3 Casts Matt Ward as the Villain Komodo[/h]

The CW’s Arrow changed up its formula last season when it chose to do less ‘villain-of-the-week’ episodes in favor of developing a sprawling, full season arc centered on Oliver’s feud with Slade Wilson. It was a decision that improved the series as a whole, giving Arrow a more cohesive feel ripe for the worldbuilding Warner Bros. and DC Comics already had planned for their television properties.


With The Flash series joining Arrow in the fall, a crossover was inevitable. On top of that, Arrow season 3 already has a list of comic book characters joining the ranks: Wildcat, Katana, the Atom, and Manhunter; not too mention the graduation of Roy Harper from whiny teenage nuisance to fully-fledged sidekick, Arsenal. On the villain’s side, they have the return of Malcolm Merlyn as a full-time threat, a brand-spanking new Count Vertigo, and hints of Ra’s al Ghul finally appearing.



And if that wasn’t enough to satisfy your DC lovin’ soul, Entertainment Weekly has learned that Matt Ward (Tron: Legacy) has joined the series as Simon Lacroix, a.k.a. the villain Komodo. Komodo is a newer addition to Green Arrow’s rogues gallery, first appearing in the comics only a little over a year ago.

Lacroix, like Arrow, is a trained archer and master at hand-to-hand combat. In the comics, he starts out as something of a protege to Oliver’s father, Robert Queen, but soon gives in to greed and betrays his former mentor. Using his skills at business and combat, Lacroix causes trouble for Oliver both in the boardroom and on the streets as Komodo.


On Arrow, Ward’s character will be a mercenary who comes to Starling City using Komodo as his codename. And though his introduction will come as a ‘villain-of-the-week’ in season 3′s second episode, showrunner Marc Guggenheim stresses the series isn’t returning to its season 1 ways:

“Yes, he’s the villain-of-the-week for the second week of the show, but you’ll see that Team Arrow’s pursuit of him is part and parcel of a season-long storyline. You’re going to know what happens to Komodo at the end of the episode, but it will be a little bit tied in better with the season-long mythology than villain-of-the week episodes have done in the past.”


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We saw Arrow use this strategy before when they first introduced characters like Count Vertigo, Shrapnel, and even Deadshot in a one-off episode, then later brought those characters back into the season’s larger, unfolding storyline.


Let’s just hope, for Ward’s sake, that Komodo falls on the Deadshot side of things, where he’s actually useful and has an impact on the story, rather than the Shrapnel side where he’s there simply so Amanda Waller can prove she’s serious.


Is Arrow beginning to include more characters than it can manage? How well do you think Komodo will fit in to the mix?


Arrow season 3 premieres Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.
Source: EW

 

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[h=1]‘Wolverine’ Star Joins ‘Arrow’ in Katana Recasting[/h]

The most recent trailer for the CW’s comic book adaptation Arrow promised fans of the show an “epic third season,” with Ra’s al Ghul, Deathstroke and a revamped Count Vertigo among its cast of villains and Roy Harper donning a slick new outfit and mask as Arsenal. The show’s trademark flashback sequences, meanwhile, will explore Oliver Queen’s time in Hong Kong and Nanda Parbat.


Among the characters that Oliver will meet (will have met?) during his travels is Tatsu Yamashiro, also known in the DC comic books by her alter ego Katana, due to her superior sword-fighting skills. Katana will act as one of Oliver’s mentors and therefore play in important part in his journey to become the vigilante hero of Starling City.


Devon Aoki (Sin City) was cast as Katana earlier this year, but due to scheduling conflicts she has since been forced to drop out of the role. Don’t worry too much about this setback, however; Deadline reports that the showrunners have already found a replacement in Rila Abuses will lead to banushima, who was recently seen alongside Hugh Jackman in The Wolverine, playing psychic assassin Yukio.


http://cdn.screenrant.com/wp-content/uploads/Rila-Abuses will lead to banushima-joins-Arrow-cast.jpg
Arrow‘s third season will also feature Tatsu’s husband, Maseo Yamashiro, who acts as Oliver’s handler during his time in Hong Kong, and will be played by Karl Yune (Real Steel). Other new cast members this season include Matt Ward (TRON: Legacy) as villain Simon Lacroix AKA Komodo, J.R. Ramirez (Power) as superhero Wildcat, Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) as Ray Palmer AKA The Atom, and Peter Stormare (22 Jump Street) as the new version of Count Vertigo.


This season will also feature a crossover with the CW’s spinoff series The Flash. We learned during Comic-Con that the crossover will consist of a two-hour event on each show, adding up to a total of four hours of playtime for Oliver Queen and Barry Allen. It will be interesting to see how the showrunners tie the two series together for this without derailing either of their respective arcs.


Fans of Katana are no doubt excited to see the character in live-action on the show, especially since she’s being played by an actress who has already dipped her toe into the world of comics-based media. Here’s hoping that Tatsu will get a decent amount of screen time, and will get to suit up properly in the flashbacks.


Arrow season 3 premieres Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.
Source: Deadline

 

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[h=1]Liam Neeson Would Play ‘Arrow’s Ra’s al Ghul ‘In A Heartbeat’[/h]

Ever since its debut episode, the comparisons between The CW’s Arrowand Christopher Nolan’s most recent reboot of Batman have been impossible to miss. But since then Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and his surrounding cast of DC Comics heroes and villains have grown out of the Dark Knight’s shadow, adopting a similarly grounded style, but incorporating characters from the realm of “Batman” comics that even Nolan left off the big screen.


And with Season 3 of the series promising to introduce a brand new take on ‘League of Assassins’ leader Ra’s al Ghul, the pressure is on to live up to the strong performance Liam Neeson first delivered in Batman Begins. However, the showrunners now have another option in addressing that hurdle: according to the Taken star, he wouldn’t hesitate to perform the iconic villain one more time. All they have to do is ask.


That admission from Neeson shouldn’t come as a total shock, since he was one of several acclaimed dramatic actors who couldn’t resist appearing in a Batman movie back in 2005. Since then Neeson has gone on to become a household name for a new generation by embracing broad action films, including the upcoming A Walk Among the Tombstones.


It was while speaking with MTV about Tombstones that the question of Ra’s al Ghul was brought up. With a new actor set to take up the mantle of one of the deadliest men in the world (and mentor to Bruce Wayne, among others), Neeson explained that he hadn’t been contacted by Warner Bros. or The CW showrunners. But would he ever be interested in stepping back into the role on the small screen?

“I would, in a heartbeat, if it came my way, yeah. Very much so.”


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Those comments alone will be enough to send fans of the Nolan films into a storm, since Neeson usually escapes criticism by even detractors of the series’ style and approach. The common thinking used to be that an actor of Neeson’s calibre would be unlikely to appear on any TV series, let alone a ‘superhero’ show. But his affection for the role has clearly endured given that his response was not only positive, but enthusiastically so.


Before fans start demanding that Arrow‘s executive producers cast Neeson immediately, things aren’t quite that simple. It’s true that several actors from high-profile films are already set to appear in Arrow‘s Season 3 – from The Wolverine‘s Rila Abuses will lead to banushima to Superman Returns‘ Brandon Routh – but Neeson is as in-demand a star as one could find.


That being said, the casting description of Ra’s al Ghul shows that the showrunners aren’t looking to stray too far from Neeson’s version. Describing the League’s leader as a “major recurring character” may rule someone like Neeson out of the running, but if The CW were forced to change their plans, the explosion in marketing that the crossover would bring might make up for the added headaches.

There is also the fact that executive producer Geoff Johns has already confirmed that the TV and movie universes of DC Comics will remain separate. However, those comments were made concerning movies going forward – not Nolan’s movies which stand entirely apart. Would the producers risk the confusion among the most diehard fans for the attention it would garner from a broader audience? Only time will tell.


Assuming that these comments are simply a sign of Neeson’s affection for the character, and the casting proceeds as it most likely will, the actor did offer a bit of advice for whoever does end up landing the role:

“They have to believe in their philosophy. Ra’s al Ghul absolutely believed what he was doing was ultimately saving civilization, and it was quite a good argument he comes up with. Throughout the ages, this fraternity that brought the plague to wipe out a section of mankind because it needed to be regenerated again. Very dangerous, but you have to believe it.”


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We wouldn’t recommend fans hold their breath that Neeson will reprise his role in the next season of Arrow, but it’s too enticing an idea to write off entirely. Until The CW shoots down any chances, that is. What do you think of the idea? Would it be a clever way of keeping Nolan’s universe in-canon in some way, or would you Arrow fans prefer a brand new start?


Arrow Season 3 premieres Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.


Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce for Arrow updates as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.



Source: MTV

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Season 3 Premiere Images: The Calm Before the Storm[/h]

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Casts ‘Riddick’s Matt Nable as Ra’s al Ghul[/h]

Even casual comic book fans realized that The CW wasn’t kidding around with its DC Comics properties when they revealed that Arrow‘s Season 3 would be getting a new central antagonist in the form of Ra’s al Ghul (a part made famous on film by Liam Neeson in Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy). Not long after Neeson claimed he’d be happy to reprise the role, the actual actor set to bring the character to life has been revealed: relative newcomer Matt Nable (Riddick, Killer Elite).



According to Deadline, the Australian former-Rugby League footballer has landed the part after arriving on the scene in his first role in 2007. The actor may be best known to our readers for his role as ‘Boss Johns’ in the latest Riddick movie, taking on a leadership role with another group of hired killers (while showing he’s not afraid of getting his hands dirty).


Little is known about how this version of Ra’s al Ghul will differ from those previously seen on film or in the comics, but Nable fits the physical description that the showrunners were looking for quite well. And despite his relatively short resume, Nable’s ability to convey a likable and believable bounty hunter (in an American accent, no less) made him a standout in the action-focused Riddick.


As far as Arrow‘s version is concerned, the leaked casting description sounds like the showrunners are staying faithful to the source material:

“An iconic villain from the pages of DC comics. Leader of the League of Assassins. Regal, mysterious, of a bygone era. Proud and unforgiving. Ra’s is a ruthless strategist, a master of martial arts, and a shaper of history. He carries the wisdom of the ages, and protects some of its greatest secrets.Think the character of Bane from The Dark Knight Rises. Someone just terrifying. Not a lunkhead, but a smart and physically imposing man.”


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Nable will make his first appearance in the role in Arrow‘s fourth episode, titled “The Magician.” The limits of his power aren’t yet known (nor whether he’ll one day make an appearance in The CW’s other superhero series), but the fiftieth episode of Arrow looks to be a special one for DC Comics fans, and Batman enthusiasts in particular.


As the leader of the League of Assassins, Arrow viewers have already seen Ra’s play a significant role in the lives of several characters, sending his forces to Starling City in varying numbers, with varying purposes. Season 3 looks to make that threat even greater, building off of the introduction given to the warlord’s daughter Nyssa al Ghul (Katrina Law) after making the trip to Starling City. It’s unclear if Nable’s performance will be set in the present day or the past, but with Oliver Queen’s history being elaborated upon by the week, anything is possible.


What do you Arrow fans make of the casting? Is Nable an intriguing choice, or an unknown one? We’re willing to see what he can bring to such a commanding role, since a character of his stature within DC’s TV universe isn’t going to be disappearing any time soon.

Feel free to speculate on what kind of voice Nable will be adopting for the role, since it seems a long shot that his native Aussie accent will be maintained. On the bright side, Liam Neeson has offered a few words of advice for his successor. Are there any other actors you were hoping to see land the part, or are you keeping an open mind after Liam Neeson’s indelible turn in the role? Sound off in the comments.
Arrow season 3 premieres October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.



Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce for updates on Arrow as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.
Source: Deadline



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dang, liam neeson was ready for this role

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Season 3 Images Feature Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer[/h]

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Casts ‘Flash’ Villain ‘Captain Boomerang’[/h]

The CW has made no secret of just how confident they are in assembling famed DC Comics characters on TV, but it’s seeming more and more like Arrow fans – and Flash enthusiasts soon to join them – may be underestimating just how much the two shows will be overlapping their respective worlds. As one more piece of evidence, ‘Captain Boomerang’ – best known as one of the Scarlet Speedster’s enemies – is the latest villain confirmed for Arrow Season 3, with Nick Tarabay (Spartacus, Burn Notice) playing the part.



The announcement is an exclusive of EW, claiming that Tarabay will be portraying the villain beginning with Arrow‘s seventh episode, but set to play a recurring role – including the Flash crossover event coming with the eighth episode of both series. Tarabay (having recently played a Klingon in Star Trek Into Darkness) follows his Spartacus alum Manu Bennett (a.k.a. Deathstroke) in giving Oliver Queen some sleepless nights.

While the criminal moniker used by George ‘Digger’ Harkness may be less than terrifying, Boomerang has long been a member of The Flash’s Rogues Gallery, alongside villains like Captain Cold and Heat Wave. Even so, Harkness is being given a far more intimidating origin story thanks to Arrow‘s world of shadowy government agencies.


Harkness will apparently be introduced as a former ARGUS operative – despite his comic book version, it seems he won’t be a member of Amanda Waller’s ‘Suicide Squad’ - who is out for revenge. No explanation yet on why a military operative would choose boomerangs as his weapon of choice, but martial arts and gadgetry are all but guaranteed.


The die-hard “Flash” fans may be disappointed to hear that Digger Harkness’ trademark costume, Australian accent, and possibly even his role in the Rogues will be modified to fit the Arrow/Flash universe being formed, but at this point, anything is possible. Captain Boomerang also isn’t alone in being re-imagined, or co-opted by a fellow hero.

Combine Harkness’ introduction with the increasing suspicion of seeing Firestorm villains populating The Flash, and The CW may be using any means necessary to get characters off the page and onto the screen. Just what endgame they’re building towards is still a mystery, but the network and showrunners know that they’ve got their fans’ attention captivated this Fall.



Will you be tuning in to see how much of Captain Boomerang’s character is faithfully adapted, and how much is re-imagined? Or is The CW’s overall plan more interesting than the individual characters?
Arrow Season 3 premieres October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.


Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce for updates on Arrow as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.
Source: EW

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’: Brandon Routh WILL Suit Up As ‘The Atom’[/h]

It sounds like Arrow star Stephen Amell wasn’t speaking in hypotheticals when he said that The CW was in the process of creating a Justice League on TV, as the actor is set to star alongside Arsenal, Black Canary, and even Ray Palmer a.k.a. The Atom (Brandon Routh) in the show’s next season. To this point Palmer’s role has been restricted to his civilian identity; but Routh has confirmed that the showrunners are working on a costume for his superhero alter ego. And he’s already seen it.


The revelation that Ray Palmer will eventually become The Atom may seem a bit obvious to comic book fans, but the Arrow showrunners have been careful to maintain that it’s Palmer’s corporate side which will shake things up for Oliver Queen. With the trailers for Season 3 introducing Palmer as a new head of Queen Consolidated – and existing head of Palmer Technologies – and potential romantic interest for Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), it seemed possible that a rise to costumed crime-fighting could be a long way off.


It may not be as long a wait as some had thought, as Routh revealed on The DJ Tanner Show (hat tip to ComicBook.com). According to the Superman Returns star, his second turn in costume as a DC Comics hero will be a different experience. But exactly when fans can look forward to seeing him suit up is something even he doesn’t know – yet:

“It’s a totally different suit and I haven’t been in it yet, I’ve only seen some drawings. It’s a very different character and I really can’t say too much about what the suit’s going to look like. Just that it’s very different and I don’t believe there’s a cape, which doesn’t really surprise anybody if you’ve seen The Atom in the comics.”


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“They’re kind of waiting. Making it dramatic, I suppose. I’m not sure of the end date… we’ve filmed six episode so far, six of twenty-two, so there’s a long way to go yet.”


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Now fans can rejoice, as speculation over just what kind of costume lies in store can begin. In the comics, Palmer (and his many successors) have worn a number of specialized suits, ranging from classic skintight red and blue bodysuits, to full suits of armor. Since it’s hard to know exactly what technology is required when using a fragment of white dwarf star to shrink to the subatomic level… anything is possible.


As painful as it is to wait (especially as Marvel ramps up promotion of their own shrinking hero, Ant-Man), fans can take solace in the implication that Routh will sport the super-suit in Season 3. It’s worth warning that there’s a chance the suit could be held off until even farther down the road, possibly even on The Flash, since Palmer’s company has been teased in that series as well.

The show’s producers have also teased that Palmer would one day take his interference with Oliver Queen’s life from his office to the streets of Starling City, but hinted that his role would largely be used to lighten the mood. And, quite possibly, inject some romantic competition where Felicity Smoak is concerned (as if Ollie and Barry Allen weren’t enough of a distraction):

“It’s a cool opportunity; it’s a cool show with a huge following. They do a great job grounding the show. Having my character on there… he has a lot of different elements. I get to come on there and [do some] comedy in a pretty dark world. My character interacts with Felicity mostly in the episodes I’ve shot so far and it’s just a lot of fun.
“I have a great time working with Emily. I think it’s going to add a whole new element to the show that I think audiences will like, whether they dislike Ray getting into the middle of the Oliver/Felicity relationship or not.”



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It’s nice to see that the minds behind Arrow are still intent on making Ray Palmer a worthwhile character alongside the established cast – not simply relying on his superhero credentials. If The CW really is looking to bring DC’s biggest heroes into a single TV universe (even outlandish ones like The Atom, or even Supergirl), then planning to spotlight their personalities first is a great sign. If a few love triangles crop up along the way, then all the better.

We’ll keep you up to date as more information arrives, or The CW offers an official response to Routh’s tease. For now, it sounds like Ray Palmer’s graduation to full-fledged Justice League member will be several months away at the earliest.



Will you be counting the days until he takes his share of the spotlight, or are you concerned that too many heroes might throw off The CW’s balance. Could a two-hero act work for both Arrow and The Flash? We’ll find that out soon enough.



Arrow Season 3 premieres October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.
Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce for updates on Arrow as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.


Source: DJ Tanner Show (via ComicBook.com)

 

[its Me]

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[h=1]‘Arrow’ Season 3 Won’t Revisit Superpowers; Ra’s al Ghul to Be More ‘Comic-Book-y’[/h]

While Arrow season 1 was generally well-received, most fans would consider season 2 – which expanded the grounded and gritty universe by delving into superpowers, superteams, and more – to be the superior of the two. Not only did we get a Mirakuru-infused Deathstroke, we also met Barry Allen (and witnessed the accident that turned him into The Flash), the Suicide Squad, and the League of Assassins.


Now, in advance of the series’ return, showrunner Marc Guggenheim is making the rounds to talk about what we can expect in season 3. If you guessed “less superpowers,” you were right!


In an interview with CBR, Guggenheim talked about how season 3 would return to its grounded roots, saying:

“We’re not really planning on revisiting superpowers or enhanced abilities during season 3. We are really returning to the show’s roots of a very grounded world where it’s very realistic. We may take occasional artistic license with things, but for the most part, everything is pretty well and truly grounded in real-life things and real-life science.
“I think what people will find when they watch season 3 is that the operatic scope of season 2 didn’t really come from the presence of enhanced abilities or superpowers, it really came from the stories and the characters, and that stuff ain’t changing.”


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First of all, it’s worth noting that we know that there will be some superpowers in season 3, as there’s a big two-episode crossover between The Flash and Arrow – titled “Flash vs. Arrow” and “The Brave and the Bold,” respectively – in the first half of the season. So at the very least, Flash’s superpowers will be making a big appearance.

But what about characters like The Atom? Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) has been cast as Ray Palmer, a.k.a. The Atom, and he even confirmed that we will be seeing him in his Atom costume at some point. But will we not see him wielding his shrinking superpowers? Will he just be walking around in a superhero costume acting like a regular guy – buying coffee, attending board meetings, et cetera? Or does Guggenheim not consider Atom’s powers to be “super” since they’re science-based?


And then there’s Ra’s al Ghul. We know that he’s going to be the big bad of season 3 – he’s been referenced and hinted at for a while on Arrow – and we know that he’s being played by Riddick co-star Matt Nable. In the comic books, al Ghul is centuries-old, having preternaturally extended his life with the help of “lazurus pits.” Will this aspect of the character be brought to life on the show, or is it too unrealistic for a more “grounded” season?


Speaking of Ra’s, executive producer Andrew Kreisberg spoke to EW about the villainous character and said a few things that seemingly conflict with the aforementioned more “grounded” approach to season 3. According to Kreisberg:

“Now that the ‘Arrow/Flash’ universe contains people with powers and contains the Mirakuru serum, it gives us a bit more license to be a little more ‘comic book-y’ than certainly even Christopher Nolan set out to do.”


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“More comic-book-y,” in this context, seems to mean “less grounded,” as Nolan’s take on the Demon’s Head was very much a grounded one. Even the name of the character’s nefarious organization was different and (arguably) more realistic: The League of Shadows.

So how do you square these two comments? How will Arrow season 3 be more grounded, while Ra’s al Ghul will be less grounded (than he was in Batman Begins)? Will the Lazarus Pit make an appearance in the series? Will he have a more ridiculous look than Liam Neeson’s take on the character? We’ll have to wait to find out.


Finally, Marc Guggenheim spoke a little bit about Arrow’s “new toys” in the upcoming season, saying:

“He is going to get some new toys to play with. One of them is a new bow that looks identical to the old bow, but it does something that you’ve never seen before.”


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Hmm – it looks exactly like the old bow, but it does something we’ve never seen before. Maybe it’ll shoot a giant boxing glove? Then again, that doesn’t seem very grounded.


What say you, Screen Ranters? Do you want Arrow season 3 to be more “grounded” or more “comic-book-y”?



Arrow season 3 premieres October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.
Follow me on Twitter @benandrewmoore.



Sources: CBR & EW

 

[Radical]

Brandon Routh! I see another love triangle formin' ... lel.

 

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[h=1]‘Arrow’s Deathstroke Will Return; Actor Supports ‘Ra’s al Ghul’ Casting[/h]

Great comic book heroes tend to be shaped by great villains, and Arrow is no exception. With Season 2 of the series the show’s writers swung for the fences, pitting Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) up against one of the deadliest men in the DC Comics universe: Deathstroke a.k.a. Slade Wilson. With that supervillain now stepping aside for Ra’s al Ghul himself, actor Manu Bennett hints that fans haven’t seen the last of Deathstroke – not if the showrunners get their way, that is.


Anyone who followed along with Oliver Queen’s battle against Wilson’s forces knows that the superhuman killer got what was coming to him. But even if Wilson ended up return to ‘the island,’ dwelling alone in an ARGUS super-max facility, he’s still left with a pulse. Not to mention one heck of a grudge.


Since Deathstroke’s story is clearly far from over (and could have been ended if the showrunners wished), and fans know that a man like Slade Wilson should never be counted out, some fans have hoped for his return. When asked about the possibility by ComicBook.com, Bennett spoke candidly. While he may not have a return date set, those running the Arrow/Flash universe made their long term wishes clear:

“Realistically, when we talk about storyline, they threw me into a really interesting place: Purgatory. You know, I’m left at the end shaking the bars, going ‘I keep my promises, kid.’ And I think I meant it. So I don’t think that they are just going to let that voice subside into the vast abyss… But at this stage, I don’t know. They said at the end of the season last year, they said: ‘Look, we want you back. We want you back.’ But there’s been no indication yet of how they’ll go about that at any point in time, right now.”


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It shouldn’t be too hard to see why (or how) Deathstroke could be brought back into future stories. The writers already introduced Amanda Waller’s team of criminal operatives (known to fans as the Suicide Squad), and while Wilson may have some solitary confinement ahead of him, a return in service to Waller would be in line with the comics. The bottom line: when a villain like Deathstroke is left alive promising revenge, it’s safe to assume the show’s writers have a plan.



Regardless, the show’s producers have promised that Arrow Season 3 will feature fewer superpowers in favor of a more grounded approach. So if Deathstroke really will be returning, it won’t be immediately. And it may not even be to Starling City at all, with The CW confirming that more spinoff shows are being discussed.

For now, Bennett seems pleased to hand the reins over to Matt Nable (Riddick), the man set to bring Ra’s al Ghul, leader of the League of Assassins to life. And it just so happen that Nable and Bennett are no strangers, having both worked on the Australian miniseries Bikie Wars: Brothers in Arms):

“I know that Matt Nable — who’s an Australian actor I worked with on the Sons of Anarchy kind-of-biker series [Bikie Wars] last year, maybe just the year before in Australia — just got cast as Ra’s Al Ghul. I mean this guy was playing the head of the biker gang that I was in. I was the tough guy in the biker gang, but he was the head. And he’s got such an intensity to him.
“I don’t know man, if it ever comes down to him and me facing off in a scene… ‘whew.’ I mean Stephen Amell is really going to have to bring it to the fire at that stage. It’s going to be two Aussies, it’s going to be an Aussie and New Zealander… I look forward to that. Matt Nable is a great actor.”



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Since the minds controlling the future of Arrow have expressed their wishes to bring Bennett back, it seems inevitable for it to happen at some time. But a villain like Ra’s al Ghul – while not strictly ‘superhuman’ – isn’t one that is quickly dealt with either. And if The CW’s Deathstroke has anywhere near the same staying power as that of the comics, then he’ll be making life harder for law enforcement for years to come.
Are you looking forward to a possible return of Deathstroke, or did you feel like the villain ran his course, and was right to make way for new antagonists? Does Bennett’s endorsement of Matt Nable raise your hopes for the TV version of Ra’s al Ghul?


Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce for updates on Arrow as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.
Source: ComicBook.com

 

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[h=1]Brandon Routh’s ‘Atom’ May Move From ‘Arrow’ To ‘The Flash’?[/h]

As some studios, writers or producers struggle to do one superhero justice these days, the production team behind both Arrow and The Flash seem to welcoming challenges (even more than those posed by their two DC Comics heroes). Launching The Flash alongside Firestorm seems risky enough, but with Arrow, even the likes of Arsenal, Black Canary and Ra’s al Ghul apparently aren’t enough. Adding a Justice League hero in Ray Palmer a.k.a. The Atom will open up even more doors for The CW’s shared universe, but it sounds like Arrow won’t be the show to feature Palmer’s superhero transformation.


When Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) was announced to be bringing even more conflict(?) to Oliver Queen’s professional life, comic book fans knew that brilliant businessman Ray Palmer held more potential than developing yet another Arrow love triangle. Routh let the cat out of the bag himself by confirming that he had seen concept art of his upcoming Atom costume, but it seems the producers are now offering some intriguing responses.


At a recent screening of Arrow‘s Season 3 premiere (hat tip to GreenArrowTV), executive producer Marc Guggenheim was asked about the showrunners’ plans for Routh’a Palmer, and if fans can hope to see him don his duds and get to shrinking in the near future:

“I think anything is possible. My instinct is that if Ray Palmer’s going to shrink, he’ll probably shrink on another show.
“With The Flash in existence, there’s no real compelling reason for us to do super powers on Arrow. We can bring characters to Flash to have super powers. We have plans for Ray that don’t involve shrinking, but our plans for Ray are actually really cool.”



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The producers have previously stated that after the super-soldier story line of Arrow‘s last season, they would be doing away with superpowers for the time being; so Guggenheim’s comments seem to reinforce that claim. But the fact remains: you don’t add Ray Palmer – or cast a leading man known to comic fans already – unless you intend to make use of his character’s unique abilities. So is it possible that Routh could shift from Arrow to The Flash, as Guggenheim’s comments seem to suggest? Or could a different plan be at work?


With one crossover between both shows already under way (and from all reports, the cast and crew are having a field day with overlapping their characters), it could be possible to swap Ray Palmer from the grounded world of Arrow into the bleeding-edge science fiction of The Flash. But with Central City presumed home to both Barry Allen and Ronnie Raymond, the old adage that ‘three’s a crowd’ could raise some problems. So we have to ask: do one or more of those heroes have the potential to lead their own series?



It’s possible that The CW could repeat a proven formula: seeing how viewers respond to Routh in his everyday identity, and gauge the demand for his Atom transformation along the way. If it’s high, then perhaps a trip to Central City could allow his character the freedom to delve into the fringe fiction that Arrow may seek to avoid (to differentiate its world from that of The Flash). At this point, it’s hard to know just how many DC Comics characters Warner Bros. is willing to put on TV.

Of course, it’s just as likely that the showrunners expect to do away with either Ronnie Raymond or Ray Palmer before long – their respective shows are called Arrow and Flash, after all. That would seem like a shame to fans of either character, but at this point, The CW is on a roll. Who knows what kind of long shots they might be willing to take if the pieces start falling into place?


Which path would you prefer? Does Routh have what it takes to lead his own series as Ray Palmer/The Atom, or would you prefer he stick to a supporting role with Ronnie Raymond/Firestorm? Sound off in the comments.



Arrow Season 3 premieres October 8th, 2014 @8pm on The CW.
Follow me on Twitter @andrew_dyce for updates on Arrow as well as movie, TV, and gaming news.
Source: GreenArrowTV

 

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‘Arrow’: Brandon Routh On The Atom Costume & Super Powers

One of the most prominent additions to Arrow’s third season has been Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer, who fans of DC Comics will recognize as the alter-ego of The Atom. However, Palmer’s super-side – which entails shrinking powers – has been sidelined in favor of his corporate connections, especially to Queen Consolidated, the company formerly controlled by Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and his family. However, Routh did reveal that his character would eventually suit up as The Atom, though whether it will be on Arrow or the series’ spinoff, The Flash, was unclear.



As previously said by the actor, The Atom’s shrinking abilities fall more in line with The Flash’s sci-fi tone than Arrow’s realistic crime dramatics. In a new interview with Routh, he teased the The Atom’s suit and powers, as well as his involvement with the superhero antics on Arrow



While speaking with MTV News, Routh mentioned a flashback episode that Arrow executive producers Marc Guggenheim and Andrew Kreisberg were thinking about when the actor joined the series. The episode could focus entirely on Ray Palmer or “just about the day that something happened in his life at the same time that it happened in other characters’ lives.”



Routh also said that while his powers may not be used on Arrow, he would be happy to don a super-suit – one that it appears he’s already seen. Additionally, although Palmer may not have or use his powers as The Atom, he could still be involved in the action on the show in a “superhero-y” kind of way.


Read Routh’s full quote:

“Marc said that if the shrinking was going to happen, it’s more likely to be on ‘The Flash’. But I have no knowledge of a crossover or any of that. ‘Arrow’ is very grounded in reality, so nobody really has any powers. That is a challenging thing, to have you bring a character like the Atom in, with his trademark thing being that he shrinks… But just because he’s not shrinking doesn’t mean that he might not be doing something else, or be involved in some other kind of superhero-y way. I know that there is some type of suit thing happening, though I’m not at liberty to discuss much. But it looks cool, and I would be happy to wear it.”



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The actor’s comments are vague enough that they could be taken to mean any number of things for Arrow. For instance, a flashback in Palmer’s life depicting how an event already seen in the series affected his character could allude to the particle accelerator explosion in Central City — which was the jumping off point for The Flash - or either of the attacks on Starling City in the finale episodes of Arrow’s two previous seasons.


Additionally, Routh’s “superhero-y” comment may refer to Palmer joining the Arrow’s cause in a behind-the-scenes role, similar to Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) or Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) before he became The Flash. However, it could also refer to Palmer’s campaign so far in season 3 to restore Starling City to its previous glory.

In terms of what Routh confirms to be true, it seems to be little more than what we already knew: a suit for The Atom exists, Palmer will – at some point – wear the suit, but his powers probably won’t appear on Arrow. Considering Roy Harper’s (Colton Haynes) long progression from a kid in The Glades to Arsenal, it may be some time before we learn more concrete details about Palmer’s transition to The Atom.

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Arrow continues on Wednesday with “Corto Maltese” @8pm on The CW; The Flash continues on Tuesday with “Things You Can’t Outrun” @8pm on The CW.
Source: MTV News

 

[Hassan Aftab]

Is Stephen Amell actually a bad actor or are those expressions intentionally masked in this show? Either way, it is rather senseless to have him scowl in the show all the time. That is just extremely poor direction if it's the latter.