Stephen Amell Addresses ‘Arrow’ Criticisms!

The CW’s new superhero show Arrow premiered just two weeks ago to rather impressive numbers. We’ve now seen two episodes of Teen Dream Oliver Queen, and the man himself, Stephen Amell recently had a few words to say regarding some of the ciriticisms the show is receiving.

Many people are hailing Arrow as simply a Nolanized version of Green Arrow, or that the show is simply Batman starring a different millionaire. While you can definitely (definitely) see these themes in the show, Amell wanted to let you know just why in a recent interview with The Vancouver Sun:

Arrow’s aesthetic has been compared to Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight films.

The idea was to make it real…

As real as one can make a superhero show.

As real as you can make it. Now, I understand it’s TV and fantastical things are going to happen but as real as possible and that naturally takes you into the Chris Nolan universe.  If you want to be snarky about it you can say, ‘Well, they’re copying Batman.’  Batman works!

Nolan took his cues from the comic books, which were made to be a darker version of Batman.

And we’re basing large parts of Arrow on Green Arrow: Year One. In Green Arrow: Year One there are tons of people on the island, he gets hooked on heroin, people leave him for dead, really awful things happen to him and I think people want to see a superhero that can be injured. People want to see a super hero, I think, who is emotionally fragile; that had to make real sacrifices.

What he says definitely makes sense: Arrow is simply trying to take a more realistic approach to the Green Arrow story. In a post Batman Begins world, what realistic take on a superhero won’t be compared to Nolan’s work?

Whether you believe it or not, it’s certainly an interesting point, and an interesting interview!

Have you been enjoying Arrow? What are you most looking forward to seeing in the show?

Source: The Vancouver Sun