Summary:
- Rumors declare that James Gunn is bringing both Green Arrow and Black Canary to the DCU.
- While Black Canary already made her DCEU debut, Oliver Queen hasn’t, making this his first appearance on the big screen.
- Zach Snyder tried to cast Charlie Hunnam as the superhero in the DCEU, but the latter declined.
James Gunn is reportedly bringing a familiar Justice League member to the rebooted DC Universe, one who didn’t appear in the DCEU, despite being a crucial part of the superhero team.
Insider @comicodigy has hinted that both Green Arrow and Black Canary are on Gunn’s roster for the Justice League. Gunn himself has a personal affinity for Green Arrow, having once shared on X that the archer was his favorite childhood costume. This new narrative could see Black Canary as Oliver Queen’s partner, and they will be able to bring the romance from the comics to the big screen.
RUMOR:
James Gunn already has plans for Green Arrow and Black Canary in the DCU pic.twitter.com/ErjnoLawbM— Comicodigy (@comicodigy) May 22, 2024
The buzz around Green Arrow’s inclusion has been fueled by his significant fan following, largely attributed to Stephen Amell’s portrayal in the popular CW series, Arrow. However, despite previous attempts by Zack Snyder to integrate Green Arrow into the DCEU—rumors had circulated about casting another actor for the role—those plans never materialized.
Adding to the excitement, it’s also rumored that Black Canary will join Green Arrow, making the duo an integral part of the DCU. Unlike Ollie, Black Canary had already made her DCEU debut played by Jurnee Smollett in Birds of Prey.
Oliver Queen, alias Green Arrow, debuted in More Fun Comics #73 back in 1941, a creation of Mort Weisinger and George Papp and later revamped by Neal Adams and Dennis O’Neil.
The character gained significant popularity with Stephen Amell’s portrayal in the 2012 CW series Arrow, which also launched a shared universe including other DC characters like Supergirl and The Flash. A theatrical project for the superhero was in motion back in 2008, but was ultimately scrapped at the end.
Fans on X have expressed their excitement about Green Arrow finally joining a cinematic universe, with one enthusiast suggesting that Gunn should consider an action-romance-comedy blend for Green Arrow and Black Canary. Actors Austin Butler and Elizabeth Lail are currently fan favorites to fill the roles of the dynamic DC duo.
Previously, Charlie Hunnam was approached by Zack Snyder’s team to play Green Arrow in the DCEU, but declined. Hunnam explained to ComicBook.com that he didn’t “share the same enthusiasm” about the character.
Since Gunn and Safran’s DCU is still in its founding stage, there is a good chance that both Green Arrow and Black Canary can have their own solo movies in the franchise. Before that, Gunn could introduce the couple in other existing projects in Chapter One, such as Batman: The Brave and The Bold and Teen Titans.
