11 Years Ago Today, an A-List Movie Star Made Their Arrowverse Debut (& Teased Their Acting Chops)

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The Arrowverse often doesn’t receive the recognition it deserves. It’s frequently dismissed due to its reputation for over-the-top drama and less-than-stellar special effects. However, the actors consistently deliver strong performances. For example, Grant Gustin powerfully portrayed Barry Allen confronting his wife, Iris, about his concerns with their daughter’s alliance with Eobard Thawne, and Stephen Amell gave a chillingly honest performance as Oliver Queen admitting his enjoyment of killing. It’s easy to praise the leading actors – they have the most prominent roles, not just in their individual shows, but also in the large crossover events.

Often overlooked in the Arrowverse are the actors who appear in just a few episodes but still leave a lasting impression. Tom Felton, despite being in only one season of The Flash, created a memorable character, Julian Albert, who initially challenged the Flash before becoming a key part of the team. While known for his role in all the Harry Potter films, Felton isn’t the most famous movie star to grace the Arrowverse. In fact, a major Hollywood actor benefited greatly from the franchise, as it provided a valuable opportunity to showcase their talent during a difficult time.

One of Hollywood’s Biggest Stars Appears in Arrow Season 3

If you just started watching the Arrowverse recently, you might assume it’s all about big action and events. But it actually begins quite subtly, particularly with the original show, Arrow. The series starts with Oliver Queen returning to Star City and deciding to fight corruption by becoming a masked vigilante. To maintain a normal life, he needs a cover, and that’s where the Verdant nightclub comes in – it secretly serves as his headquarters. By Season 3, Oliver’s sister, Thea, is heavily involved in running the club. In the episode “Draw Back Your Bow,” she holds auditions for new DJs, and one applicant, Chase (played by Austin Butler), really impresses her.

Chase initially fails to land the job due to his arrogance, but Thea is forced to hire him when her first choice doesn’t work out. Once he’s secured the position, Chase makes a move on Thea with a kiss. Though there’s chemistry, Thea is hesitant to trust him, and her caution proves wise. It’s later revealed that Chase is a member of the League of Assassins and attempted to poison Thea. To avoid being captured, he commits suicide by ingesting cyanide. Though a small part, Chase’s storyline effectively demonstrates the lengths Ra’s al Ghul and his followers will go to, and the actor’s performance was key to making it work. Hopefully, he’ll get another opportunity to play a similar role in the superhero genre, as he clearly understands the nuances of the type of character.

Austin Butler Is the Internet’s Choice for More Than a Few Superhero Roles

After initially working as a DJ, Austin Butler spent a few years establishing himself as an actor. By 2019, he gained significant recognition for his role in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. That role, and particularly his portrayal of a member of the Manson Family, helped open doors, leading to an Academy Award nomination for his performance as Elvis Presley in Elvis. He continued to take on diverse roles, most recently appearing as the villainous Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, where he played a ruthless character determined to control the planet Arrakis.

Feyd-Rautha and Chase shared a similar dedication to their goals, even if it meant sacrificing everything. However, many fans are eager to see Butler play a hero. He’s often mentioned as a strong candidate for the role of Gambit in the upcoming X-Men reboot within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and that’s just one example of his potential. Even if he doesn’t land another superhero part, his time in the Arrowverse showed he has what it takes to be a leading actor.

Arrow is streaming on Netflix.

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2025-11-19 21:42