James Gunn is currently working on rebooting the DC Universe with the upcoming Supermanwhich is scheduled for release in July 2025, but before the DCU and DCEU, there was another adaptation of the famous DC comics: The CW's Arrowverse. Starting with Stephen Amell ArrowThe franchise spawned multiple spin-offs before concluding in 2023, and while there are no current plans for a Green Arrow film in the DCU, the character was named in Peacemaker Season 1 finale.
In a new interview with Chris Van Vliet, Stephen Amell also reacted to Peacemaker's Green Arrow joke. In the season finale “It's Cow or Never,” John Cena's Christopher Smith dissed Green Arrow, much to the character's open disdain for other superheroes. Speaking of Green Arrow, Peacemaker noted of the Emerald Archer, “That guy goes to Brony conventions dressed like the back half of Twilight Sparkle with a four-inch asshole drilled into his costume.”
Naturally, Amell didn't appreciate it, and previously responded to the mention after the finale. In the new interview, Amell further explained the impact of the Arrowverse and how he doesn't appreciate the continued backlash it receives compared to the DCEU. “Yeah, it was a bit useless“, started around the 45:15 mark.”I didn't appreciate it at all. Ok. I'll say it right away and without mincing words. Between the films and Peacemaker a bit… our show got treated like sh*t. I get it, we're on The CW, I get it, it's TV.“
If I were to be mad at anyone, it would have to be James Gunn, for writing this thing.
“But I also understand the fact that When people think of DC's latest iteration, they don't think of the Snyder Cut — think about the Arrowverse. We've been fooled for years, and years, and years, and this just seemed excessive to me. I'm not really mad, but I just remember hearing it and thinking, “Fuck those guys,” like seriously. I'm here. I'm working just as hard as anyone else. Do you know how hard it is to play a superhero without superpowers for 23 episodes a year? It's really, really, really hard.and I'm not looking for an award, but, like, maybe don't ruin our show.”
Amell made it clear that he has nothing against John Cena, “I've met John a couple of times, there couldn't be a nicer, more genuine person. If I were to be mad at anyone, it would have to be James Gunn for writing this in the first place. But [John Cena] He couldn't be a nicer guy. It's not a personal vendetta against [Cena].”
Arrowwhich kicked off the Arrowverse, has an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with all eight seasons earning “fresh” ratings above 60%. The lowest-rated season was Season 6, with Seasons 2 and 8 both earning 95% ratings from critics. Overall, the CW superhero show has a 63% approval rating on the Popcorn Meter.
Peacemaker will return for a second season
Peacemaker received massive viewership and critical acclaim after its January 2022 release, leading HBO Max to renew the series ahead of the finale, which set a record high for daily viewership. The second season is highly anticipated, as it has been a long time coming. Despite the renewal, the merger between WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. led to a major restructuring, with director James Gunn becoming co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran, which meant new responsibilities and less time to manage Peacemaker.
However, since it is rebooting the DC Universe with 2025 Supermanrevealed that Peacemaker Season 2 is his next priority and the show is currently filming the upcoming finale. Gunn also recently revealed Peacemaker The release window for the second season, which will happen “after” Superman,” which comes out in July. Although the events of Peacemaker The first season is not canon for the new universe, the second season will adapt to Chapter One of the DCU: Gods and Monsters.
Arrow is currently available for streaming on Netflix, while Peacemaker The first season is available on Max.
Source: YouTube