Arrow has returned to the CW network with a renewed purpose. The series began its fifth season by going back to its basics, complete with a stripped down approach that highlights grounded action over hyper-realistic super-heroics.
The nature of almost all superhero shows is to spotlight the stars that appear in front of the camera. That’s understandable when you have heroes that run at the speed of light, fly, or workout like Oliver Queen. However, there has also been a legitimate amount of talent behind the camera for The CW’s comic book TV shows too, including David Nutter (Game of Thrones), Lexi Alexander (Punisher: War Zone), and Kevin Smith (Yoga Hosers). If Arrow producer Marc Guggenheim can have his way, there would be one more high-profile name to add to the list.
Guggenheim attended the 2016 New York Comic-Con to promote his new show with prolific director Guillermo del Toro (Pacific Rim), Trollhunters. While in an interview with Comic Book, Guggenheim was asked if he would like del Toro to direct an episode of his hit show, Arrow, and responded thusly:
It may seem that del Toro would be an odd fit for the vigilante world of Arrow on first thought. However, this wouldn’t be the first time that the director would be playing in a pre-established superhero sandbox. In 2002, del Toro took over the Blade franchise with Blade 2 and delivered one of the most kinetic superhero movies of its era. While there is a larger supernatural element to the Blade series than Arrow, the vampire franchise was primarily based on hand-to-hand combat and medieval weaponry, much like the CW show.
“I’d be lying if I said I never broached the topic with him. He’s so busy and he is filming right now actually up in Toronto…He’s got a standing invitation.”
While Arrow is making a concerted effort to recapture its peak form, it has lost some of its momentum. This week’s season premiere lost over a third of the previous year’s premiere episode. So, it’s understandable that a director of del Toro’s caliber would be welcome to direct, as he could offer priceless creative input and attract new viewers from his own fan base.
As it were, del Toro is known for juggling multiple projects and he is currently in Toronto (where they film all four of The CW’s DC TV shows), filming his new movie The Shape of Water. If not Arrow, he surely would have his choice of any of the DC Comics’ shows to direct as well. So hopefully Guggenheim gets an RSVP from del Toro to attend his superhero party sooner than later.
The Flash season 3 airs Tuesdays at 8pm on The CW, Arrow season 5 airs Wednesdays in the same time slot, Supergirl season 2 debuts Monday October 10, and Legends of Tomorrow season 2 premieres on Thursday October 13.
Source: Comic Book
