The CW’s Superhero Stars Are So Angry, They May Be Ready To Quit
If the rumblings are to be believed, the CW’s Arrowverse may be in for some rocky times.
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If the rumblings are to be believed, the CW’s Arrowverse may be in for some rocky times. According to rumor-master Daniel Richtman, trouble is brewing over at the CW between actors and producers and the issues could be the cause of a nasty split down the road.
Richtman, on his popular Patreon page, says that the “Arrowverse shows having a lot of issues behind the scenes with actors wanting to leave because of the way the producers and bigger-ups acts.” While Richtman seems to be on his game more often than not, this one should be taken with a grain of salt. The rumor, as noted, could have come from a “publicity stunt” by actor Dominic Purcell, who has played Mick Rory/Heatwave on the CW’s Legends of Tomorrow since its inception.
Legends star Purcell recently fired off a bunch of social media posts (which the star has since deleted) announcing his departure from the series. His first post read via GeekAnything: “Deal isn’t done. I have no interest. What ever cash they throw on the corporate level. Im walking away from @cw_legendsoftomorrow. It’s been a total pleasure and a humbling experience bringing @dccomics iconic character #heatwave (aka) MICK RORY to life. I smashed this character — not an actor in the world could have done better.”
But then this is where Richtman may have gotten his thought. Purcell wrote, “The studio does not care. The actors[‘] work ethic and talent must give them the confidence to question authority. Much love to all. It’s not lost on me how very fortunate I am.”
The above posts were in stark contrast to what the actor first put out, then deleted with much kinder words. His first go-around, via the AVClub, not only ripped on the producers of the show but he also asked his possibly-former-castmates to keep an eye on the newcomers, whoever they may be, so they don’t get screwed by the studio. He also said that any curious actors out there can DM so they could discuss the “fake c*nts.”
The posts quickly began to make their rounds and possibly feeling some heat, Purcell deleted the colorful posts only to replace them with the more subdued comments previously mentioned. To Purcell’s credit, he did acknowledge the previous postings as “heavy,” but they were straight to the point because that is how he tends to his business. “God would everyone chill the f**k out. Why are people losing their mind because I’m leaving the show. Yes my tone was heavy straight to the point…It’s who I am,” he wrote via Deadline.
He tried to clarify that he has no issues with the studio and that it was his frustration with being locked away for nine months in Vancouver that prompted his ill-advised postings.
Purcell then explained to his followers that since he is still under contract for season 7, that he really isn’t leaving the show for good, but that he will appear from time to time. Purcell wrote, “It’s a handshake deal with [Legends co-showrunner] Phil Klemmer. I don’t have a beef with studio @warnerbrostv.”
It appears, though, that even his follow-up posts were too much and he, yes, deleted those too. Purcell then replaced them stating everything prior was a publicity stunt, a joke, by writing via CBR, “Let’s see how much [press] and [CW’s Legends of Tomorrow] can get tomorrow. Me and MICK been such naughty boys.”
Then, just like that, poof. Those posts were gone too, and Purcell hasn’t said a word since. So far both The CW and Warner Bros. TV have not responded publicly to Dominic Purcell’s outbursts though behind the scenes could be a different story.
If what Purcell says is true and that he, in fact, is leaving the series (even if he appears on a recurring basis), it will leave Caity Lotz (Sara Lance/White Canary) as the lone remaining original cast member from a group that has constantly evolved over the first six seasons. Falk Hentschel’s Carter Hall/Hawkman and Ciara Renée’s Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl were abruptly shown the door after the first season as fans couldn’t handle their storyline. As season 2 closed, Arthur Darvill took his Rip Hunter character with him, though he came back a few times during season 3. Victor Garber (Victor Stein/Firestorm) left for Broadway after the third season as did Franz Drameh. The turnover has been heavy.
So, what do we make of Dominic Purcell’s posts? Was the star just venting, as he claims, or is there some truth to his earlier words? Purcell has been around Hollywood for some time starring in both features and television. He is best known for his role as Lincoln Burrows on the hit TV series Prison Break. But with all the turnover on Legends, the ending of Arrow, and the poor reception that Batwoman has received, one can’t help but wonder if Purcell’s posts have some merit. Time will tell as sources have told Deadline that negotiations for next season’s Legends have yet to begin. Until they do, we’ll sit back and wait to see if Purcell has been muzzled or if he will be firing off more ill-advised postings.
