While Green Arrow has been a constant presence on the small screen for the past decade, appearing in Smallville and starring in his own CW show, we still haven't seen him on the big screen (that Supermax project did sound interesting). Will that change now, when the DCEU is beginning to shape up? It is a possibility, even if Stephen Amell said that Warner Bros. has no intention of giving the hero a solo flick.
But what does Stephen Amell know? He is the Green Arrow, but only on the small screen. And while some fans of the CW show are disappointed that he is kept out of the loop, maybe it is better this way. Maybe a more capable and recognizable actor could be brought into the fold.
And I really don't care, at this moment, for a Green Arrow solo movie. However, having him as a supporting character in, say, The Batman, would be a great thing. Just have him pop up when Bruce Wayne is in dire need and show everybody why being a billionaire is the greatest superpower of them all.
Green rules, right?
So who could bring Oliver Queen to life on the big screen? Here are my top 10 choices!
Matt Damon
This was obvious - Matt Damon would be my top choice for portraying the archer in the DCEU. And, quite frankly, I have every reason. He is a great actor (his Oscar nominations aren't for nothing) and he is Ben Affleck's best friend. For that matter, he could also help with the script, if needed.
If you need further proof that he'd make a great Green Arrow, he has a movie coming up in February 2017, a movie that can be considered an audition tape for this role. Yeah, The Wall doesn't seem to be something I'd pay to watch. But Matt Damon seems pretty convincing as an archer in the movie's trailer.
So Ben Affleck needs to write an awesome Oliver Queen to join him in The Batman!
After all, Damon did say that he is waiting for Affleck's call and for an awesome role.
Ewan McGregor
Known especially for his role in the Star Wars prequels, Ewan McGregor is actually one of the best actors in Hollywood, having appeared in Trainspotting, Big Fish, Moulin Rouge, Velvet Goldmine, and many others. So he most certainly has the acting chops. I do wonder why he hasn't appeared in superhero flicks just yet.
Oh, I remember! He teased the role of Doctor Strange before Benedict Cumberbatch was announced - maybe Warner Bros. will grab him before Marvel finds a spot for him in the MCU.
This being said, check out Ewan McGregor in Jack the Giant Slayer - he does look like a Robin Hood, with a sword replacing the bow. So, in a way, he does look like Green Arrow. Right? The actor hasn't got any plans beyond 2017, when Trainspotting 2 arrives.
And since The Batman will most likely be released in 2018, he has the necessary time to bring Oliver Queen to life on the big screen.
Cary Elwes
While he is considerably older than Ben Affleck, Cary Elwes has an ace up his sleeve - he has already portrayed the most recognizable archer of all times. Even if it was a spoof comedy, Robin Hood: Men in Tights is still a Robin Hood movie.
And since Green Arrow is based on Robin Hood and uses trick arrows, I would certainly want to see a more comedic approach to the character.
In recent years, Cary Elwes hasn't appeared in too many notable movies. However, he is the actor from Princess Bride, Lady Jane, Saw, and even Dracula. And just like Saw might have been the movie to revitalize his big screen career, The Batman could be the actual turning point.
Come on - you also believe that he'd be a great aging Oliver Queen!
Charlie Hunnam
Charlie Hunnam is not such a great actor, even if he has a huge fan base. But check him out and you will definitely see Oliver Queen - Hunnam was born, actually, with a goatee. And he would make a believable Green Arrow.
He has played the role of the tough guy in Sons of Anarchy, and the role of the tough guy with a twist in Green Street Hooligans. At the same time, he has also played the hot shot in Pacific Rim, as well as taking on the role of more a cerebral character, such as in Crimson Peak.
So, despite not being a great actor, he is willing to take on different types of roles. And Warner Bros. should pay attention to him - especially since he has so many fans. And since I don't believe there will be a King Arthur trilogy starring Charlie Hunnam, I guess he has plenty of time to become the archer of the DCEU.
Ryan Gosling
If you've seen The Big Short and Crazy, Stupid, Love., then you know that Ryan Gosling can bring to life a richer than rich man. Drive, Half Nelson, and Blue Valentine (just to name a few) showcased his prowess as an actor, while The Notebook brought in legions of female fans.
He is one great actor who could definitely steal the show, even if cast in a supporting role. Sure, he already said that Drive was his superhero movie and he didn't want to sign for Green Lantern (good choice - like many other actors, he wasn't interested in a multi-picture deal). However, he did talk with studios for other superhero roles, most notably having had conversations for Doctor Strange.
So if he were to appear as Green Arrow, he would need to be baited with a good script. If the archer were to appear in The Batman, can we believe that Ben Affleck would provide what Gosling wants? I guess we can. And I guess Gosling might be tempted to appear in more than one movie as the same character.
Ben Foster
One of the most promising actors of his generation, Ben Foster's career slowly dwindled. After his breakthrough role in Bang Bang You're Dead (brilliant role), an interesting performance in 3:10 to Yuma, and a failed attempt to start a franchise (Pandorum), he seems to have dropped from Hollywood's map (as far as blockbusters are concerned).
And then came Warcraft - unfortunately, he didn't shine there. But he isn't to blame - he made the most of a poorly written character.
However, given his previous performances, as well as some others in gems like Lone Survivor and Rampart, I do believe that he has what it takes. As a supporting actor, playing a well written character (for a change), he'd be great.
And since he doesn't have any projects beyond the horizon, maybe he should be considered by the powers that be for the role of Green Arrow.
Travis Fimmel
Vikings fan here! Very much like Charlie Hunnam, Travis Fimmel was born to have a goatee. Furthermore, even if he didn't star in as many big screen flicks, with his role as Ragnar he did demonstrate his range as an actor.
He was cast, after all, in the lead role in Warcraft, and he will appear in the All Quiet on the Western Front adaptation (announced to be a big budget movie). The studios must really trust him and his skills as an actor.
So I do believe that this is just the beginning of his career, with Vikings serving as a launching pad. If he ended up playing Oliver Queen in the DCEU, I can bet that Fimmel's star would shine brighter than any other.
Scott Eastwood
I know - this is a big stretch, especially since Scott Eastwood is GQ in Suicide Squad. Furthermore, the character basically killed himself (apparently), stopping Incubus in the process. But was it really so?
Scott Eastwood is not one of the best actors in Hollywood. However, his star is slowly rising. And I wouldn't be too surprised if his character from Suicide Squad was revealed to be alive. After all, nobody mourned him, not even Rick Flag.
Of course, there is this question: why didn't anybody recognize billionaire Oliver Queen posing as a simple soldier? Well, for the same reason a journalist didn't know who Bruce Wayne is. Especially if Queen hasn't been active as Green Arrow in the DCEU until now and especially if he is still in his formative years as a superhero.
Do you think this is possible? I certainly believe so.
Jonathan Rhys Meyers
The most troubled of all of theactors on this list, Jonathan Rhys Meyers seems to have left behind his most tumultuous years. However, he didn't actually make a comeback until now.
If you've seen Match Point, you know why he is on this list. What better actor to portray a billionaire with a secret life than an actor with such a keen sense of fashion and a troubled past? For that matter, he would be like a small-scale Robert Downey Jr. of the DCEU.
Sure, there are many differences between these two actors. However, as far as the talent is concerned, Jonathan Rhys Meyers sure has plenty of it. He just needs the right opportunity. After all, he did say he'd like to appear in a blockbuster - it would suit his personality.
He makes acting seem so easy.
Alexander Skarsgård
One of the sexiest vampires to ever exist, Alexander Skarsgård did make a name for himself on the small screen. However, most recently, Hollywood took notice of him. Thus, he was cast as the new Tarzan in The Legend of Tarzan (which turned out to be a dud), and he will appear in the hilariously looking War on Everyone (which has received critical praise thus far).
Furthermore, his Mute project, co-starring Paul Rudd and directed by Duncan Jones, also sounds interesting.
So Warner Bros. should hurry and cast him as Green Arrow. For that matter, the studio should cast him in any role, before Marvel steals him. As Oliver Queen, he'd kill it. I am more than certain about that.
What do you think?
