Corona | Coming Attractions

Why drop the "Green"? Why not tap into the existing Smallville fanbase by reusing the actor and backstory of the Smallville Green Arrow? Was it because he was incapable of growing facial hair?

I didn't follow Smallville all that closely, but the dude they had in the role seemed serviceable. I think this is only going to piss off the few remaining Smallville fans, and I doubt it's going to be able to generate enough interest for folks who weren't already Smallville fans to give it a shot. They're going to see the title is Arrow, they're probably not going to make a connection to the superhero, and they're going to write it off as some boring new Cape-like vigilante show.

Enjoy your pilot, Arrow. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to get picked up for a half season before you're canceled. 

I suppose it's good in a way to distance themselves from Smallville, because Smallville is dumb. On the other hand, they seem to be starting out with a hill to climb, taking the Green out of the name, putting it on the CW where people expect to watch shit like Smallville. I will certainly give it a chance though.

I think it is a double-edged sword.  No matter what they do, they will alienate someone.  The hardcore Smallville fans, which apparantly there were quite a few, will want the original actor and backstory for Green Arrow.  The ones that hated Smallville will want something new.  I think they should leave Green in the name and then can do what they want.  People will get over an actor or a different backstory, but hardcore Green Arrow fans will not like this if Green is kept out of the title.  Just MHO.

They must have consulted Michael Bay.

Maybe the guy who dropped Of Mars from John Carter was fired and is now working for the CW.

Maybe he has to "earn" the "Green." Once he's earned it, they will change the show's title. This will confuse absolutely no one, of course.