SMALLVILLE Star Justin Hartley Wants to Return as Green Arrow in the DCU

I haven’t seen much conversation around Green Arrow making his way into the new DCU, but a familiar face from the past has stepped forward with some interest.

Smallville alum Justin Hartley has shared that he’d be more than happy to suit up again as Oliver Queen, though he’s hoping the look gets a modern upgrade if it happens.

Back in its run, Smallville didn’t just focus on Clark Kent’s journey. It also gave fans a live-action taste of an early Justice League lineup. The team featured Bart Allen as The Flash, Oliver Queen as Green Arrow, Clark Kent as Superman, Arthur Curry as Aquaman, and Victor Stone as Cyborg.

At the time, that was a huge deal for DC fans. Seeing even a proto-version of the Justice League on TV in 2007 felt like something special, even if it looks a bit modest compared to what we’ve seen since with massive superhero team-ups on the big screen.

There had been hope that the story might continue in an animated revival of Smallville, but that project hasn’t come together as expected. As it stands, it doesn’t look like those versions of the characters are returning anytime soon.

Hartley, meanwhile, has stayed plenty busy since hanging up the bow. He found major success with roles in This Is Us and Tracker, showing a completely different side of his range. But it turns out he hasn’t closed the door on the superhero world.

While appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Hartley opened up about the idea of stepping back into Oliver Queen’s boots, saying:

"I would love to play a superhero again; I would love that."

He also expanded on how his perspective has changed since his Smallville days:

"You know, there are so many interesting ones that have been portrayed, and there are so many interesting ones that haven't yet been portrayed.

“What I think would be really cool, though, now that I'm older, I have different life experiences, and I would approach it differently, and I think it would be a different story. I'd like to jump back into that Green Arrow suit on."

Fans online have already started rallying behind the idea, but Hartley does have one condition before he locks in. He’s ready for a wardrobe refresh:

"Maybe not that exact suit, but something a little hipper."

That’s fair. Superhero suits have come a long way since the CW days. Hartley also teased how a return could explore a more seasoned version of Oliver Queen:

"I think you'd find him in a different place, and you could tell different stories. He's been through stuff, and I think it would be interesting. Yeah, I would love that."

After Smallville, DC TV quickly pivoted into Arrow, which built its own universe with shows like The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, eventually forming the Arrowverse.

That version of Green Arrow, played by Stephen Amell, became iconic in its own right. But now, with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn steering a brand-new cinematic universe, there’s an opportunity to reintroduce the Emerald Archer in a fresh way.

Gunn has made it clear he’s a fan of the character, and there’s talk that Green Arrow could factor into future DCU plans. Bringing Hartley’s back is a sgretch, but seeing him as an older, more experienced Oliver Queen could be a fun twist, especially for longtime fans who grew up watching Smallville.

Chancs are, when they do bring this character back, Gunn will start from scratch with a whole new and younger actor in the role.