Interview: Justin Hartley Explores Green Arrow’s Dark Side on ‘Smallville’

With the new season of Smallville fast approaching this Friday on the CW, The Flickcast took the opportunity to sit down with Justin Hartley, aka the Green Arrow. He was laid-back, insightful, and of course easy on the eyes.

DC Comic’s Green Arrow has made headlines recently for taking care of bad guys anti-hero style. Smallville‘s Oliver Queen is no different, albeit he had a certain explosive panache when he nixed Lex Luthor. The perceptive and pensive Justin Hartley had much to say about his character’s path towards enlightenment this season.

The Flickcast: What excites you the most about getting the green light another, final season?

Justin Hartley: The final season, we’re excited. I think I speak for everyone when I say that. The cool thing about this year, and I’m sure you’ve heard this before, is that there’s all these…little tidbits that haven’t quite been sewn up yet.

It’s interesting because usually they go, “Well we’re going to tie it up next year or at the end of it,” and they plan on tying it up whenever. But it’s like go-time so they kind of have to tie it up now. So hopefully we’ll get, maybe even one of those (questions answered) every episode. They’re doing it the right way.

It’s really cool, especially for all those people who have been watching the show for a long time, that we did find out that we had a final season and then we’re going to shoot it. Instead of at the end of nine finding out that there is no final season. So we have the opportunity to do that- which is pretty awesome.

FC: What questions do you want to see answered this season?

JH: You know, not so much questions, I would just like Oliver to…I feel like last year he was so self-realized, you know, and kind of took on the role of kind of realizing who he was and kind of being OK with that instead of trying to be somebody else. So, maybe, not so much a question, but I would like to see him go down a path and maybe realizing that that isn’t necessarily who he was and maybe he is a good guy. Because I think he carries all that burden with him.

FC: Is Mia Dearden aka Speedy returning this season?

JH: I don’t know, that’s a good question too. I mean, man, I wish I had that answer- we’ll see. I’m sure it’s a possibility. I don’t know if it’s a scheduling issue or whatever, but it’s obviously out of my hands. But, yeah she’s fun.

FC: A huge plot line in the comics right now is dealing with Green Arrow’s murder of a super villain. In the show Smallville, Green Arrow also kills super villain Lex Luthor. How do you feel about that aspect of his character personally?

JH: That’s the devil (Lex Luthor). He killed Hitler, I mean c’mon, what are you going to do? It’s like the guy is a bad guy. I mean, I’ve got a little bit of that in me too. Not that I would go kill somebody, but I certainly can understand it. I mean the guy has basically wreaked havoc on everyone that has been around. And he is evil, so he’s getting rid of evil his own way.

I think it’s interesting you find out he’s not really dead (Lex Luthor). But, it’s OK, in his mind he has killed someone, and he was willing to do it and he went out and did it and kind of lives with the remorse. It would be interesting to see if he would do it again. Maybe he will, I don’t know- who’s left to kill?

FC: Can you tell us anything about what the future holds for Oliver Queen this season?

JH: I have been told very little. Usually that bothers me, but in this instance not really. I have the ultimate faith in them (the writers and producers) and they’ve done nothing but good things for me so far and everything they’ve given me is interesting.

We talked very little, as far as the end of the season. I know episode 4 and 5, I know, kind of what’s happening. I think he does take a darker turn for a different reason. And then he’s got this quest to find Chloe– what’s going on with Chloe.

After our chat, Justin Hartley seems more than prepared for anything the Smallville show runners might throw his way in the coming months.  It’s safe to say Oliver Queen is not alone in facing dilemmas this season. Lucky for him, the World’s Finest is always there to lend a hand.

Stay plugged into The Flickcast as we talk to more of the producers and cast and get ready for a killer final season of Smallville.