We’ll have to wait until October 10 to see the premiere of the hotly anticipated series Arrow on The CW, so we’re always happy to get tidbits of information on what’s to come while we drum our fingers impatiently. Today we’re naming names – a villain and the lovely man who will portray him.
We now know that we’ll be seeing the evil Deadshot in episode 3, and he will be played by Michael Rowe. Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim told Green Arrow TV:
The episode – I think it’s pretty amazing … Especially as a third episode, because it already takes the existing paradigm and plays with it. And also, just the nature of a character like Deadshot, who is Oliver’s equal in every, way, shape or form, and maybe even his superior in certain ways… it just creates the opportunity for amazing action very, very early on in the series.
And what about the look? How close will it be to the comic series? According to Executive Producer Andrew Kreisberg:
I think that there are going to be nods to the comic book character. If you’re a fan of the comic book, you will definitely recognize Deadshot in what we are doing… In the same way that the pilot is a more grounded and realistic take on the material, our Deadshot is a more grounded and realistic take on the character than the fully costumed and masked super-villain that you see in the comics.
You’ll definitely see the red eye piece, which is the most distinctive, iconic feature of that character, and I will say that with no slam to Smallville intended, it’s a much more faithful version of Deadshot than the Deadshot that was in Smallville.
Great news! We’re definitely looking forward to seeing exactly what he means. The Arrow panel at Comic-Con also announced that Kelly Hu (X2) will be playing villain China White, the drug cartel leader Oliver encountered during his years on that island in the South Pacific.
After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the Pacific. When he returns home to Starling City, his devoted mother Moira, much-beloved sister Thea, and best friend Tommy welcome him home, but they sense Oliver has been changed by his ordeal on the island. While Oliver hides the truth about the man he’s become, he desperately wants to make amends for the actions he took as the boy he was. Most particularly, he seeks reconciliation with his former girlfriend, Laurel Lance.
As Oliver reconnects with those closest to him, he secretly creates the persona of Arrow – a vigilante – to right the wrongs of his family, fight the ills of society, and restore Starling City to its former glory. By day, Oliver plays the role of a wealthy, carefree and careless philanderer he used to be – flanked by his devoted chauffeur/bodyguard, John Diggle – while carefully concealing the secret identity he turns to under cover of darkness. However, Laurel’s father, Detective Quentin Lance, is determined to arrest the vigilante operating in his city. Meanwhile, Oliver’s own mother, Moira, knows much more about the deadly shipwreck than she has let on – and is more ruthless than he could ever imagine.
The series stars Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Colin Donnell as Tommy, Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, David Ramsey as John Diggle, Willa Holland as Thea Queen, with Susanna Thompson as Moira Queen and Paul Blackthorne as Detective Quentin Lance. Based on characters appearing in comic books and graphic novels published by DC Comics, ARROW is from Bonanza Productions Inc. in association with Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, with executive producers Greg Berlanti (Green Lantern, Brothers & Sisters), Marc Guggenheim (FlashForward, Eli Stone), Andrew Kreisberg (Warehouse 13, The Vampire Diaries) and David Nutter (Smallville, Supernatural, Game of Thrones). Melissa Kellner Berman (Eli Stone, Dirty Sexy Money) is co-executive producer. The pilot was directed by David Nutter from a teleplay by Andrew Kreisberg & Marc Guggenheim, story by Greg Berlanti & Marc Guggenheim.
Arrow, starring Stephen Amell, Colin Donnell, Katie Cassidy, David Ramsey, Willa Holland, Susanna Thompson, and Paul Blackthorne, premieres will air Wednesday, October 10 at 8/7c on The CW.
