They are moving right along with this pilot, and that is nothing but good news for us. We’ve been following this story since we first heard of it last month, when we reported that The CW was considering a pilot for a show based on DC Comics‘ The Green Arrow. We happily told you on the 19th that Arrow had in fact received a green light from The CW to go forward as a pilot. Just two days ago we gave you a glimpse of the casting details.

We are now happy to inform you that the most important part has been cast. Deadline reports that Arrow/Oliver Queen will be played by… Stephen Amell. Seen most recently on Hung, New Girl and Private Practice, he played werewolf Brady on The Vampire Diaries. In Arrow, Oliver was a 22-year-old rich bad boy who was shipwrecked on a “tiny, brutal island” in the South China Sea for five years, and returned a changed man, determined to make a difference. We also hear that ninja skills will be involved.

Hopefully this casting so hard on the heels of the green light for the pilot means that The CW is really serious about moving forward with this pilot, and hopefully this series. As always, we’ll keep you posted.