“I’m 38 years old, and I got this job when I was 30.
I’d never had a job for more than a year.
Developed by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, and Andrew Kreisberg,Arrowdebuted in the fall of 2012.
The premiere gave The CW its most-watched series debut since 2009’sThe Vampire Diaries.
But before they launchedArrow, Berlanti and Guggenheim had to suffer through a failure:2011’sGreen Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds.
The duo co-wrote the script but lost creative control of the film, which flopped.
After much deliberation, Berlanti and Guggenheim agreed, on the condition that they maintain control.
Their take on the Emerald Archer who made his DC Comics debut in 1941 was noteworthy from the beginning.
A hero committing murder?
That was practically unheard of then.
Having Oliver suit up in a veritable superhero costume by the pilot’s climax was radical too.
“They still maintain it very grounded, but it’s very different with everyone in costumes.
Not that the team wasn’t meticulous about creating Green Arrow’s cowl.
“It’s really easy to make a guy with a bow and arrow look silly.
“I actually flew up to Vancouver.
That process took eons compared to the unbelievably easy time the team had castingArrow’s title role.
In fact, Amell was thefirst person to audition for the role.
“It was Stephen’s intensity.
He just made you believe he was that character,” says Guggenheim, recalling Amell’s audition.
Also not planned:Arrowspawning an entire shared universe.
The key is, you build it show by show.”
And so they did.
First, they introducedThe FlashstarGrant Gustin’s Barry Allen in the two-part midseason finale ofArrow’s second season.
From there,Supergirltook flight in 2015, thenDC’s Legends of Tomorrowin 2016, andBatwomanis due this fall.
“I never think about any of the other shows,” he says.
“I want all of them to do great, but they’re not my responsibility.
My responsibility isArrow, and to see to it everyone from the cast to the crew are good.”
He’s always prepared.
He cares more about that show being high quality than anybody else on the set.”
“That gave the season a resonance.”
It was midway through season 6 when Amell realized he was ready to hang up Oliver Queen’s hood.
Berlanti persuaded him to return for one final season, which the producers collectively decided would be the end.
“We all felt in our gut it was the right time,” says Berlanti.
But there’s one integral cast member who won’t be around to seeArrowthrough its final season.
This spring, fans were devastated to learnRickards had filmed her final episodebringing an end to Olicity.
“They’re such opposites.
She’s obviously a gorgeous woman but what he really loves is her brain.”
For his part, Amell believes the success of both Felicity and Olicity lies completely with Rickards' performance.
“She’s supremely talented and awesome and carved out a space that no one anticipated.
It’s a different show in season 8.”
And he’s not exaggerating.
“[We’re] taking the show on the road, really getting away from Star City.
But again, that means the show has grown and evolved.”
Adds Schwartz, “This is sort of his final test because it’s greater than Star City.”
“We’re playing our greatest hits.”
But season 8 is not just about building toward a satisfying series finale.
“So the theme really is coming to terms, acceptance.”
If there’s one person who has made his peace with Oliver’s fate, it’s Amell.
“I cried as [Marc Guggenheim] was telling me.
There are a lot of hurdles to get over to make that final scene.”
Get this man some more Guinness!
Arrowpremieres Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 9 p.m. on The CW.
