In grim fan art, Smallville’s Bart Allen actor Kyle Gallner is transformed into the Green Arrow for the new DC Universe. DC’s film and television slate are now in the hands of new DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. The duo is expected to disclose a few characters and projects that will be part of the new DCU’s first storyline chapter by the end of January, and an artist makes a persuasive case for Smallville actor Gallner to play the DCU version of renowned archer Green Arrow.
SPDRMNKYXXIII, an artist, gave an intriguing sneak preview of Gallner’s Green Arrow in the DC Universe on Instagram.
Gallner submitted an audition video for Green Arrow, prompting the melancholy fan art. The actor presented his case for playing Oliver Queen in the DC Universe by posting an archery video, demonstrating that Gallner had the ability that the comic book hero is best famous for. The actor also attached a few images to the post, highlighting the similarities between him and the role, with the Smallville actor claiming and backing up his ability to grow the character’s famous facial hair. Gallner’s pitch to play the DCU Green Arrow is fueled by fan art, with the actor responding with a sequence of happy emojis.
Why Kyle Gallner Is a Good Fit for the DC Universe’s Green Arrow
Gallner bragged about his archery talents when promoting himself to portray the DCU Green Arrow, which is something to consider if Gunn and Safran decide to bring the character into the fold. Gallner’s affinity to the superhero genre via Smallville also strengthens his case for the part of Green Arrow. Gallner portrayed Bart Allen on Smallville, the show’s version of The Flash, but he went by the superhero identity Impulse (one of Bart’s comic book hero aliases) on the show. Gallner’s favorable experience playing an important DC superhero, including interactions with Smallville’s version of Green Arrow (Justin Hartley), would make his move to the DCU smooth.
Will The Green Arrow Appear In The Relaunched DC Universe?
As Gunn and Safran plot the next eight to ten years of DC movies and TV series — including some animation, gaming, and comic book links — there has been much conjecture about which performers from the now-defunct DCEU will make the transition to the new DCU. The only character confirmed to have a project under the new DC ownership is the Man of Steel, with Gunn writing a Superman reboot. Previous DCEU Superman actor Henry Cavill will not reprise his role, with Gunn stating that the part will be recast.
The rationale for Gunn recasting Superman for his reboot film could derail Gallner’s plans to join the DC Universe as the Green Arrow. Clark Kent will join the Daily Planet as a reporter in the DC Universe Superman film, played by a younger actor. Cavill would be too old to play that version of the character at 39 years old.
Gallner is 36 years old, only three years younger than Cavill, so if the DC Universe intends to center its characters around a younger Superman, Gallner should be ruled out. On the other hand, Green Arrow can surely be featured in the new DCU, as Gunn mentioned in a previous tweet that the hero is one of his favorites, which speaks well for Oliver Queen’s DCU future.
