GREEN ARROW TV Pilot Signs Colin Donnell to Play Re-imagined Villain Merlyn

The CW network's upcoming pilot which is based on DC Comics' popular emerald archer is working off a screenplay by Green Lantern movie scribes Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim and scheduled to begin filming this Spring.

Titled Arrow, the impending series pilot is based on DC Comics' character who dresses like Robin Hood and utilizes trick arrows with various special functions to deal out vigilante justice that conforms with his left-wing, ultra-democratic principles. Green Lantern movie screenwriters Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim are on board as executive producers/writers for the planned series. Berlanti and his production company are also behind two of the aforementioned DC TV properties currently being developed. In 2006, Justin Hartley began portraying the character on Smallville and eventually starred in over 70 episodes.

Canadian actor Stephen Amell (Hung, The Vampire Diaries, 90210) has landed the title role -- as well as his alter ego, reformed bad boy and billionaire Oliver Queen. Katie Cassidy (Supernatural, Gossip Girl) will portray the female lead Dinah Laurel Lance -- also known to comics fans as the second Black Canary -- who is a lawyer with the City Necessary Resources Initiative. Willow Holland (The O.C.) will play Thea Queen, Oliver’s celebutante younger sister who has a rebellious streak.

The latest addition to the cast is actor Colin Donnell (Pan Am) who, according to Deadline.com, "will play Tommy Merlyn, Oliver’s best friend, a playboy 'trustafarian' who assumes the good times will roll again now that Oliver has returned…only to learn Oliver is a changed man." This character appears to be a revamped version of the DC Comics' Merlyn, an assassin and gifted archer who is one of Green Arrow's most long standing enemies.