Monday, March 5, 2012

The Latest "Arrow" Casting News

SOURCE: CW's ARROW: More Possible Character Descriptions

Mostly supporting cast, but this news does reveal several disturbing things worth noting...


MOIRA QUEEN
What They’re Looking For: 48 years old, a beautiful woman, Oliver’s mother Moira is a very wealthy woman who is not used to being shaken. Having remarried during the five years that former husband Robert and Oliver were both presumed dead, Moira has had free rein over the Queen billions. Not surprisingly, she’s deeply interested in learning whether or not Robert will also return unexpectedly, to ruin her present marriage and go over the books with a fine-tooth comb.

Just Cast: Susanna Thompson



COMMENTS: Well, she looks like she could be Ollie's mom and could play the evil rich woman type. So... okay. Still not crazy about Ollie still having family around, much less EVIL family. But whatever. Am somewhat worried that - judging by her resume - she has more combat experience listed than anyone else on the cast.


DETECTIVE QUENTIN LANCE
What They’re Looking For: In his 50s, Caucasian, he is Laurel's father; he's a gruff, determined city detective, who's pulled strings and gotten himself assigned to the investigation into Oliver Queen's kidnapping. The father of Sara Queen, who died of drowning while on a romantic weekend aboard the Queen yacht, Detective Lance bitterly hates Oliver and blames him for Sara's death. He's about to be placed in charge of a task force to capture the eccentric green-hooded vigilante.

Just Cast: Paul Blackthorne



COMMENTS: Harry Dresden is Dinah Lance's dad?! WTF? Okay, I know Blackthorne is a good actor but this isn't at all what I got from reading that description. I'm glad to see they kept Dinah's dad being a cop canon, but turning him into the sheriff hounding Green Arrow's Robin Hood just reeks of hackery.

Of greater concern is this mention of Sara Queen. Between that and the note about Dinah investigating her younger sister Sara's death and Detective Lance being Sara Queen's father... oh gods!

Ollie was married to Dinah's younger sister?! Yeah, that isn't going to make things weird AT ALL.


ROBERT QUEEN
What They’re Looking For: Male, Caucasian, 50 years old, Oliver's billionaire tycoon father, Robert is a powerful, fearsome, titan of a man, used to controlling everything in his life, particularly his family. A domineering patriarch, seen in flashback to five years ago, Robert learns that he cannot manipulate the weather to suit his wishes, and he's shipwrecked somewhere in the Indian Ocean, along with his son and his Chief Of Security.

Just Cast: Jamey Sheridan



COMMENTS: Again, looks like he could be an older Oliver Queen. Only thing I remember seeing him in is The Stand but he was good in that. Apparently a regular on Law and Order, which is a good sign. Shame he's only here for a cameo and maybe more flashbacks.


Another two roles are listed, but have not been cast yet.

WALTER STEELE
What They’re Looking For:- Male, Asian, East Indian, Latin, Middle Eastern. Early 50s. A commanding, upper crust man, Walter is Moira's second husband; he married her after Robert was declared legally dead -- and he's understandably interested in whether or not Robert is literally dead.

COMMENTS: They want some kind of swarthy/foreign guy to be an obvious villain but gave him one of the whitest names ever?! Weird. Am also troubled that Oliver's dad being alive seems to be a more central theme of this story than... oh, I dunno... the guy in the green hood with the arrows fighting crime?!


JOANNA
What They’re Looking For: Female, African American, 28 years old, Joanna is Laurel's friend and co-worker at the City Necessary Resources Initiative. More cynical and maybe less idealistic, Joanna alerts Laurel to the fact of Oliver Queen's resurrection.

COMMENTS:
Is it too early for me to point out the Magic Negro stereotyping here, with both Ollie and Dinah having an African Americanto help them in their jobs? Just wondering.


FINAL ANALYSIS: Expectations lowering.... lowering...

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