WB/DC Panel Sees a Lighter 'Arrow,' a Darker 'Flash,' an Appearance by Joker, and Jimmy Olsen's Abs
The Warner Bros. Television Panel has become one of the most anticipated events of San Diego Comic-Con as their DC properties continue to take over the airwaves: Arrow, which spawned The Flash and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow on The CW, Fox’s Gotham; and now Supergirl on CBS. Here are the highlights from the Hall H extravaganza.
Arrow
“San Diego Comic-Con, you have not failed this city!” Stephen Amell came out as the Arrow and delivered a modified version of the show’s intro voiceover, which ended with him calling himself the Green Arrow for the first time.
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According to EP Greg Berlanti, “We’ve always said the progression for Oliver is very much from Arrow to Green Arrow.” While the Green Arrow version of Oliver Queen is generally much lighter than the TV version we’re used to, EP Andrew Kreisberg said, “The show isn’t suddenly going to become a comedy.” Still, EP Wendy Mericle did admit, “We actually have Oliver get to make some jokes in the lair, which is a first.”
Related: ‘Arrow’ Season 4: 'Oliver’s Totally at Peace’
There will be plenty of new characters from the comics this season, but the first two that they announced were Anarchy — a Batman villain — and Mr. Terrific, a member of the Justice Society of America. David Ramsey revealed that Diggle will finally be getting his own costume. Malcolm Merlyn will be trading his Ra’s al Ghul robes — at least temporarily — for his Dark Archer hood. What won’t change is the Demon’s Head ring and that’s because John Barrowman had his own custom made, which he took great delight in showing off to the crowd.
The Flash
A brief Season 2 trailer features familiar voices over an aerial shot of Central City with a speedster streaking blue lightning through the streets. Barry harboring doubts: “I feel like I made a mistake. I should have saved my mom.” The voice of Harrison Wells suggests Eobard Thawne isn’t dead: “I’m going to give you the thing you want most, Barry. But it won’t matter, because you’ll never truly be happy. Trust me, I know you. I’m always right. I still win.” Caitlin appears to have tough times ahead: “I’m not coming back, Cisco. I can’t.” And, of course: “My name is Jay Garrick and the whole word is in danger.”
In addition to the original, Earth-Two Flash Jay Garrick, Kreisberg also revealed that they’re adding Wally West, yet a third Flash. Plus, “Our big bad this season is Zoom.” Whether that’s Earth-Two’s Eobard (who sometimes goes by Professor Zoom in the comics) or some other version completely, we still don’t know yet but Kreisberg said he’s faster than either Flash or Reverse Flash.
DC’s Legends of Tomorrow
EP Marc Guggenheim says they will be using the first few episodes of both Arrow and The Flash to do the “table setting” necessary to launch the series. Ray Palmer needs to be restored to normal size, Sara Lance “needs to be not dead,” which elicited a rousing chorus of cheers. Caity Lotz is looking forward to the “not dead” version of her character. The Lazarus Pit changes people and “she was already pretty crazy. So I feel like now, after that, I want her to go nuts. Off her rocker!”
Kreisberg is a huge fan of Doctor Who, so he’s looking forward to the complexities of time travel. The Legends will be meeting their immortal villain, Vandal Savage, “In several different time zones,” which could lead to affecting history. “On Arrow and Flash, we’ll come up with an idea and then we’ll say, 'No that’s too crazy.’ Legends of Tomorrow, all it is is crazy ideas! It’s bonkers.”
Gotham
Hall H was electrified when, during the Q&A, Cameron Monaghan grabbed the mic. “Hey! How about a debate!” he yelled before security began dragging him off. “I’m going to find you, Jerome!” said Ben McKenzie, adopting his James Gordon persona, “And I’m going to take you down.” Showrunner Bruno Heller has been cagey in the past about explicitly calling Monaghan’s character the Joker, but that stunt appears to have removed all doubt. “Who was that dude?” joked Somerhalder after. “He looked like the guy from Shameless.”
Supergirl
Part of the reason these DC shows have been successful — and why there’s a very good chance this will be too — is the casting. EP Ali Adler said, “We saw thousands of women and this,” pointing to Melissa Benoist, “is the first one we saw.” It turns out it’s no accident:Ccasting director David Rappaport has a mind meld with the DC braintrust. That story of Rappaport and his team repeated itself often, said Kreisberg. “Stephen Amell was literally the very first person we saw for Oliver Queen and Grant Gustin was the very first person we saw for Barry Allen and Melissa was the very fist person we saw for Kara.”
Among the villains being pulled from the comics for Season 1: Reactron, Livewire, and Maxwell Lord — who will be played by Twilight’s Peter Facinelli. And, in what has now become a Hall H tradition after Stephen Amell did it last year, Mehcad Brooks, who plays James Olsen, was pressed to show off his abs to the crowd. “My mom follows me,” said Brooks sheepishly as hundreds of photos were taken. “A lot of moms are going to follow you now,” offered panel moderator Damian Holbrook immediately.
The Flash is back Oct. 6 on The CW; Arrow returns Oct. 7 on The CW; Supergirl premieres Oct. 26 at 8:30 p.m. on CBS; Gotham Season 2 premieres Sept. 21 on Fox.
