While I’m all for the DC movie and television universes being two distinct entities in order to allow creative freedom for both, there is the frustration that comes along with having certain characters being off limits (just ask Deathstroke). Naturally, the big screen side of things gets first dibs, so we’re often left in situations where global crises mean that the Trinity doesn’t show up to assist the heroes of the Arrowverse. Yes, I know it’s baffling at times, but we’ve learned how to make do.
Still, you have to admit that quite the shared universe has grown from Arrow since it first debuted in 2012 as a rather grounded show focusing on an urban vigilante. And in that time, several spinoffs have been birthed, thus allowing for a myriad of comic book fantasies to be made reality.
Even so, there are glaring omissions like those that were hinted at earlier. Sure, we’ve seen Superman make a few memorable appearances over on Supergirl, but Big Blue has in no way been a permanent fixture – and none of us know when he’ll make his way to National City again.
What’s more is that Arrow recently name-dropped Bruce Wayne and Legends of Tomorrow visited Themyscira, thus letting us know that Batman and Wonder Woman do exist within the Arrowverse. But, unfortunately, executive producer Marc Guggenheim is here with a reality check:
“No, I love a good Easter egg, and I love doing the occasional name drop. You know, we name-dropped Hal Jordan at the beginning of Season 3, but it’s really just fun for us. I think in the Arrowverse we have our own Justice League and the Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Batman … these are all characters that are either spoken for on the movie side and/or other shows. There’s a Bruce Wayne on Gotham.”
By now, you’re probably wondering why they’d wave these steaks in front of our noses. Well, the simple reason is the very same one that leads to them serving up great television: They’re fans just like us. And even if they can’t play with certain toys, that doesn’t mean they won’t admire them on the shelf.
“Over here on the CW, we’re sort of a mischievous lot, and we enjoy the occasional Easter egg. And our partners at DC are very tolerant of our mischief. But that’s really all it is. Just good nature, good fanboy mischief.”
As always, we’ll never say never. Either way, we’ll be tuning in when Arrow returns with new episodes on Thursday, January 18 on The CW.
