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BEVERLY HILLS
The CW's upcoming action thriller, "Arrow," continues pop culture's current fascination with archery and hunky star Stephen Amell had a lot to learn.
"I had never picked up a bow and arrow before," says Amell, who plays billionaire playboy Oliver Queen, who, after being marooned on an island for five years, takes on the persona of Arrow, a vigilante.
Producers paired Amell with a coach, whose first step was to show the actor a 45-minute video detailing all the ways archery has been poorly portrayed in films and on TV. Amell also soon learned to respect the weapon he wielded.
"It's literally one of the most dangerous things to do on a film set. Unlike guns, you can't use blanks," he
As for learning the proper form, Amell insisted that he "wants to please archers, as well as comic book fans."
Amell, who grew up in Canada, said he read a few comic books as a kid -- mainly "Lobo" and "Spawn" -- but was more interested in pro wrestling magazines.
Producers say that DC Comics' "Green Arrow: Year One" and "Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters" are both inspirations for the series, which has already generated plenty of buzz. But some liberties will be taken: In the comic books, the parents of Oliver Queen are both dead. In the series, his mom is still among the living. The series also gives the character a sister.
Over the years, the "Green Arrow" saga
The pilot for "Arrow" is full of action and some violence. Guggenheim was asked if he and his writers will proceed with caution in the wake of the Aurora, Colo., shootings.
The producer responded by saying the show is in a unique position to explore the "nature of vigilantism" and "taking the law into your own hands."
"Hopefully, we'll be able to provide some helpful social commentary," he said.
