One of the most enjoyable aspects of James Gunn’s comic book movies is the writer-director’s ability to incorporate numerous niche references to the broader world of the source material. It not only makes the cinematic universe feel more lived-in, but also provides fun Easter eggs for die-hard fans. Gunn’s last few DC projects,The Suicide Squad,PeacemakerSeason 1, andSuperman, all feature supporting characters that are either somewhat obscure or who themselves reference various heroes in the DC Universe (DCU). Now, Gunn has commented on whether one character referenced in the first season finale ofPeacemakeris canon to the DCU.
In Season 1, Episode 8 ofPeacemaker, John Economos (Steve Agee) and Christopher Smith/Peacemaker (John Cena) engage in a comedic conversation about the eccentricities of the superheroGreen Arrow. Throughout the series, Chris frequently spreads malicious (and often sexually charged) rumors about various heroes, although none of them are proven to be valid. When Gunn was asked if Green Arrow is canon to the DCU in the latest episode ofthe Peacemaker Podcast, the DC Studios co-chair provided a candid response, saying:
“Is Green Arrow canon? I don’t know. I’m not willing to say it. We don’t really know. We don’t have Green Arrow as part of our system right now. So, maybe Green Arrow exists, maybe he doesn’t. So that’s a maybe.”
Gunn and his fellow co-chair and producing partner, Peter Safran, have been very careful and selective about what they choose to canonize for the DCU. Even Gunn’s own projects before he founded the new version of DC Studios have proven not to be entirely canon to what the duo has planned for their first saga,titledGods and Monsters. So, Green Arrow’s future in the DCU remains uncertain until a filmmaker or script comes along that Gunn and Safran find compelling enough to incorporate into their plan.
Green Arrow Might Have a Future in the DCU
The DCU has a bright future ahead, with projects like the HBO seriesLanterns, the action-adventure filmSupergirl, and the horror filmClayface,all slated for release next year. Gunn has also confirmed that he has begun work on the next installment in the Superman Saga, along with various other projects that are in development, such as aWonder WomanandBatmanfilm. While the main members of the Justice League are being developed, it’s hard to imagine that aGreen Arrowmovie or television project is completely out of the question.
The character has remained relevant in no small part thanks to theCW television seriesArrow, whose original eight-season run has remained popular to this day. Stephen Amell’s iteration of the character remains the most iconic, which could also be a reason there is no rush to reintroduce the character with a new actor at the helm. Whatever ends up happening with Green Arrow in the DCU, fans can at least take heart that Gunn and Safran are carefully developing the continuity of the new slate of film and television projects to tell the best story possible.
Peacemaker
