Arrow to Bring in Green Lantern? Not So Fast...

During a new TV Guide interview with Arrow writer and executive producer Marc Guggenheim, a number of outlets (including TV Guide themselves) are reporting that Green Lantern might be coming to Arrow. But that isn't what Guggenheim, or even the article says. Just the headline. And I should know, as I've made this mistake before. Months ago on Eric Ratcliffe's terrific Why I Love Comics podcast, Guggenheim was asked about the possibility of familiar DC faces like Hal Jordan and Dinah Lance appearing on Arrow. His answer, basically, was that he wouldn't rule it out, although there were no immediate plans. Of course, I did the same thing back then that many are doing now--enthusiasm got the better of me and I said, "Breaking news! Green Lantern could come to Arrow!" Only to be corrected via e-mail from Warner Television telling me in a very serious tone of voice that Guggenheim had said no such thing. So what did he say this time around to get the speculation going? Here's the pertinent piece from the TV Guide story:

But before fan boys get too excited, Guggenheim admits that the world of Arrow does not take place in the same universe as the Green Lantern film. Still, he doesn't rule out possibly meeting Hal Jordan or Carol Ferris, portrayed by Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, respectively, in the film. "I would never say never," he says. "It's certainly something that we've talked about.

"As with all DC characters, we have to figure out a way for those characters to fit within our Arrow universe," he continues. "But when you consider the importance that Hal Jordan plays in the Green Arrow comics, it's certainly one of those names that we've discussed a great deal. I have Ryan Reynolds' phone number around here somewhere."

So...pretty much exactly what he told Ratcliffe back in June of last year, except this time with a half-joking reference to calling Ryan Reynolds. Really, folks, nothing new to see here. And I would know.