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Arrow from Script to Screen with Geoff Johns

Deadshot. China White. Malcolm Merlyn. On their own, they’re dangerous and deadly. So what happens when all three converge in Starling City? Fans of Arrow will find out in tonight’s new episode, “Dead to Rights.” In addition to a generous helping edge-of-your-seat action, look for more flashbacks with Slade Wilson, some significant developments in Tommy Merlyn’s relationship with his father, and the first appearance of Laurel’s mother, Dinah Lance!

So what does it take to put together such a high-stakes episode? In the case of “Dead to Rights,” it starts by hiring comic book writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns to write the script. Below, Geoff shares two exclusive scenes from tonight’s episode as well as his thoughts on each. For the first scene, we’re giving you a look at a page from his script, and for the second, a clip of the scene as you’ll see it tonight.

Enjoy this journey from script to screen, Arrow style!

SCENE #1

Ah! Look at that -- revised pages on my birthday -- January 25th! So you can see the character, dialogue and action -- everything is in italics, which in Arrow-scriptese means that this is indeed a flashback on the island. And those two names should stand out to fans -- you've got Oliver Queen, pre-Green Arrow, and Slade Wilson, pre-Deathstroke. This relationship that's developed between the two on the island during the course of the last episodes has really sparked to life I think -- and is beginning to build the foundation of a Green Arrow/Deathstroke duo that we've never seen before.

Greg Berlanti, Andrew Kriesberg and Marc Guggenheim -- the producers and showrunners of Arrow -- obviously took a page from GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE by Andy Diggle and Jock when it comes to the island -- Oliver's not alone. And the team has taken that further by developing a complex world of characters, events and a timeline that takes us through the five years Oliver was trapped on the island.

SCENE #2

This scene from "Dead to Rights" cuts to the heart of the episode which explores Tommy's relationship with his father and how Oliver attempts to help Tommy deal with it. I think there have been a lot of questions from the diehards who know Merlyn from the comics about how Tommy and his father, Malcolm Merlyn, fit into the big picture. This episode will bring everything one step closer to the lore in the comics, particularly in a scene later on in the episode.

Speaking of the comics...what other characters would you like to see in the show?

Hope you enjoy it and thanks for watching!

Geoff

Tags:

arrow, Green Arrow, deadshot, china white, deathstroke, geoff johns

Q&A with Geoff Johns on this Week's All-New Episode of 'Arrow'

DC Entertainment’s very own Geoff Johns wrote this week’s all-new episode of ARROW and we had a chance to chat with him about what fans can expect. It sounds like an action-packed episode, take a look:

Q: What are you most excited for fans to see in this week's episode, “Dead to Rights”?

Geoff Johns: I have to start by acknowledging and tipping my baseball hat to the director Glen Winter. Glen and I have worked together previously on episodes of Smallville including the Justice Society ep ABSOLUTE JUSTICE. Like comics, this is a creative collaboration between writer and visionary. And like the artistic greats I work with again-and-again — Ivan Reis & Joe Prado, Gary Frank, Doug Mahnke — Glen is someone that I connect with on a creative level. We both set out to do the very best we can together and I’m proud of the episodes of television we’ve made, especially this one. Add to that the producers, writing staff and cast of Arrow and I feel very privileged to be a part of it all. I’m glad the show has found such a great audience — it deserves it.

As to what I’m most excited for people to see? I’d have to say the developing relationship between Oliver and Tommy and ultimately the situation they find themselves in together. It reveals a lot about how much Oliver has grown since he was first stranded on that island and how painful Tommy’s life has been because of it — something we haven’t quite seen yet. Beyond that, it’s the return of Deadshot, China White and the introduction of Laurel’s mother Dinah Lance, who any self-respecting comic fan will know in the comics is the original Black Canary. The last line of the episode will have people exploring possibilities in their head that bring this show full circle.

Q: What kind of repercussions will Oliver face after the dust settles?

GJ: The dust settles from what exactly? Does someone die? You’ll have to watch.

Q: What was it like to team up again with your SMALLVILLE collaborator, director Glen Winter?

GJ: I’m glad you asked (even though I already half-answered above!). When Greg [Berlanti] called me about the episode and I spoke to Andrew [Kriesberg] about tackling this and teaming up with Glen again, I was unbelievably excited. Like I said, Glen is someone who deserves to be known by comic fans. He’s brought so many characters to the television screen — from his episodes of Smallville to his episodes now of Arrow. I couldn’t ask for a better partner in crime on this.

Q: For fans of the show who may not be as familiar with GREEN ARROW comics, what are the key storylines you recommend they read to get a feel for the character that inspired the TV show?

GJ: I’m glad you asked this too because I will tell anyone I can get to listen to pick up GREEN ARROW #17 which is the first issue by my good friend and amazing writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino. I know what these two have planned and it’s going to be a ride worth getting on board with — especially if you like the mysteries of the island Oliver Queen was stranded on. Both the TV show and now the series are exploring it in unique ways. I also can’t recommend enough GREEN ARROW: THE LONGBOW HUNTERS by Mike Grell, GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE by Andy Diggle (who subsequently had a character named after him) and Jock and GREEN ARROW: QUIVER and SOUNDS OF VIOLENCE by Kevin Smith and Phil Hester. All fantastic Green Arrow stories and seminal ones.

Q: Do you approach writing Comics and TV differently, from the way you block a scene to the dialogue to the characterization?

GJ: Yes. It’s great because you aren’t limited to page and panel count, but you do have a budget. You also have actors, sound and music. But the DNA of the characters, no matter the medium, remains the same. I love writing television because, like comics, it’s collaborative and it’s ongoing serial storytelling.

Q: Who is your favorite Green Arrow villain who has yet to appear on the TV show?

GJ: That would be Kevin Smith’s Onomatopoeia! Andrew is a big fan so I wouldn’t expect him before too long...

Q: Arrow hasn’t used many of Green Arrow’s trademark gimmick arrows. Given his competition in Starling thus far, any recommendations for the small screen archer?

GJ: I think he’s doing just fine with the regular old razor tips.