WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Code 8, now streaming on Netflix.
For many years, fans have been left wondering when exactly would Green Arrow enter the DC Extended Universe. Given that grounded street-level exploits of vigilantes have been brought to life by directors such as Christopher Nolan in the past, and now the DCEU itself has the likes of Deadshot, Harley Quinn and more notably, Black Canary, it seems like he'll eventually appear on the big-screen.
However, while Stephen Amell really did the character justice on the CW's Arrow, kickstarting the Arrowverse and the network's superhero line, after seeing his performance in Code 8, it's clear the actor would have made the perfect Oliver Queen on the big screen.
When you factor in bleak books such as Injustice, Scott Snyder's Justice League, DC's last run with the hooded vigilante, and recently, the DCeased Universe, Ollie has been painted as an unhinged badass with a penchant for profanity. Granted, over the years he's always been a rebel going against the grain, even willing to throw punches at fellow heroes, but he seems to have a bigger chip on his shoulder and rougher edges these days. The question is, who really could bring this to life in cinemas.
Well, Amell did Ollie justice in Arrow, diving headfirst into an action-filled world in Star City. Even after other heroes like the Flash, Supergirl, etc. came in to make the Arrowverse more escapist and comic book-like, Ollie still proved to be the essential leader of the first unofficial incarnation of the CW's Justice League. A lot of the Arrowverse's success depends on him, but still, there's a sense Amell never really got to fully cut loose on say. Well, Code 8 allows him to really be a rogue, and it's a perfect glimpse into how he could have brought Green Arrow to the DCEU.
In Code 8, he plays Garrett, a telekinetic in a war between mutants and humans oppressing them. Sure, he's a criminal, but he's a victim of circumstance, as society limits his job opportunities. It reaches the point where mankind wants to register and possibly put these "Powers" in internment camps. Amell's Garrett basically spends his life assembling fellow mutants as part of a resistance. Under his tough exterior, he simply wants to protect his kind. In the process, he doesn't take guff from cops or criminals, and the way he mentors young mutants like Connor (Robbie Amell) feels like Ollie in dystopian DC stories involving the likes of Speedy. Garrett knows society has robots hunting them called Guardians, but no matter what, he'll lead his ragtag band to overcome. We're not justifying his activities, but there is a sense of altruism, as warped as it is, as he vows to continue fighting bigotry.
The way Amell's Garrett secrets around Lincoln City with underground allies, not to mention the epic action scenes, profanity and unabashed punishment he doles out, let's just say it's a violently perfect snapshot of what he could do with Green Arrow if Warner Bros. gave him a film, R-rated or not. He comes off as a lost hero with the weight of the world on his shoulders, with no time for jokes or clowning around. In short, his essence would have been perfect for Birds of Prey as he cuts loose in ways he never could on network TV. It reminds us that while his depiction (as well as Smallville's Justin Hartley) were all well and fine, they felt capped by the CW. But in Code 8, Amell is that freedom fighter the DCEU needs, coming off like an angry Ollie who's trying to save Lincoln City, only without a bow and arrow.
Directed by Jeff Chan with a script from Chris Pare, Code 8 stars Robbie Amell, Stephen Amell, Sung Kang and Greg Bryk. The film is currently streaming on Netflix.