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On Target: Talking To Justin Hartley On The Eve Of "Justice"
Interview conducted by Craig Byrne - KryptonSite Webmaster
January 2007

Smallville assembles the Justice League on Thursday night, January 18, and leading this group of heroes into action is Oliver Queen, the Green Arrow, played in several episodes of the current season by Justin Hartley.

As we get ready for the big event, which may also be the beginning of a new adventure for his character, Mr. Hartley took the time to speak with KryptonSite's Craig Byrne about the Emerald Archer. The interview follows:

KRYPTONSITE'S CRAIG BYRNE: Was the dynamic any different to play Green Arrow alongside an entire group of heroes rather than just the dynamic of Oliver and Clark?

JUSTIN HARTLEY: Not really, because they kind of build him up as the leader, no matter what, and I guess the only difference would be that around Clark, the feeling is kind of that I'm insufficient, as far as my powers go, because I don't really have any. With these other guys, I'm still the leader, but there's no rivalry. On a personal note, it was nice for once being around other guys that had to wear costumes. So that was fun.

K-SITE: Did you compare any notes with Alan Ritchson about your different experiences playing Aquaman?

JH: He mentioned that he had to do these buoancy tests or something before he started, and I didn't have to do that. But no, not really. My feeling is they're two different Aquaman characters. His is more of a "what's up dude" surfer guy, kind of fun, and mine was the lead of the show, so it was two different perspectives of the same character.

K-SITE: Many of your scenes as Oliver Queen have been shared with Erica Durance as Lois Lane. Can you talk at all about the chemistry between your characters, and what it was like to work together?

JH: I thought the chemistry was really good. She's really fun to work with; she's got a great sense of humor. We kind of have the same brand of humor. It's a pleasure to work with [her]. Really easy, no ego. She's there for the show, and she seems to put a lot into her work, and I've really enjoyed working with her. We had a lot of laughs, and I'd like to work with her again. I think she's great.

They do a very good job writing the show, and they do a wonderful job editing it, and they freed us up a little bit to add some stuff that maybe wasn't word for word in the script. Which is kind of difficult to do sometimes, andI can understand why, but they let us play around with the words every once in a while, and I think it helped. When they're in a relationship, people talk differently than they do when you're applying for a job, so I think that was a good thing, that they let us kind of use the chemistry that we have to make the show, I don't want to say better, but make it as good as any other scene.

K-SITE: Do you think Oliver could trust Lois with his secret?

JH: I think that he can. I don't think that's why chooses not to tell her. I think that he chooses not to tell her because he doesn't want to burden her with it. I think it's a sincere thing, too. I think a lot of times in life when we get lied to or we find out that someone's been keeping a secret, if it's someone that you love or someone close to you, usually their intentions were good. You get hurt in the end, it's like a political thing. You try to shield someone from something, and they end up finding out, and they kind of feel bad that you never told them in the first place and they feel betrayed, but the trust is not the issue. I think the issue is he doesn't want to burden her with that.

K-SITE: Spoilers for the episode imply that Oliver will be leaving town after "Justice." What will become of his fantastic bachelor pad?

JH: You know what,. I don't know, man. They were tossing around a couple of things. I don't know if Lois is going to move in, or maybe he'll sublet it. [Laughs] He might just lock the front door and come back when he's ready. I have no idea. But he's got more pressing issues. He's got people to save.

One thing that I love about that show is they don't just have somebody leaving town for no reason. They give him a reason.

K-SITE: Given all of the buzz surrounding this episode, do you think a Justice League series would make for a good show?

JH: I think it would make a great show. I know for a fact that there's an audience out there. They've got the tools, they've got everything in place. so I think it would definitely be a great, great show. I don't know what the details would be, but I'm young, I'm always up for anything, so I think it would make for a good show.

K-SITE: Do you have any other, non-Smallville related projects coming up in the near future?

JH: I've got this comedy coming out, Spring Breakdown, and I've got a couple of indies coming out, and I just got [a] CSI: New York gig, that I'm going to be on there for one show. Pilot season hasn't really kicked in yet, so next week it should be full steam ahead.

K-SITE: Are you involved with The Oliver Queen Chronicles at all?

JH: I don't know. I have no idea what that is. I sat down with my wife [to watch last week's show] and I was like "What is that? I haven't seen that!" I don't know. I wish I could give you some information about that, but I don't know what that is. It looks cool, though.

K-SITE: Are you involved at all with any of the bonus features or commentaries on the season 6 Smallville DVD?

JH: They definitely have some occasions where I was giving commentary and stuff like that, but I don't know if they're going to use it.

K-SITE: What have you thought of all the positive press that your character has received?

JH: I think it's the show. You never know how these things are going to go. You sign on to do something like this, and people are either going to love it or they're going to say "What happened to my show? My show changed, and I hate it, and I'm not giving anybody a chance." You never know how people are going to respond, and I guess I've been fortunate that it's been the way it has been, because the response has been positive thus far.

K-SITE: Some interview quotes with [Smallville executive producer] Al Gough have hinted that Oliver Queen might be back on the show by season's end. Do you have any news about that that you can share?

JH: I don't [have any news]. I'd love to. It's the most fun I've ever had on a set. These guys are great. So I don't know. I'd be up for discussing whatever they want to do, but that sounds good. As far as the details go, I would share them with you if I had them. I just don't know.

K-SITE: In the Smallvilles that you have filmed, do you have a particular favorite episode?

JH: "Rage" was a lot of fun for me, just because as an actor, it's fun to get broken down like that and have some kind of huge obstacle to get over. "Arrow," of course, was a lot of fun, just because of all the gadgets and stuff, and "Justice" was great. You'll see for yourself and see what you think, but there's a very, I think, powerful, romantic, and kind of heartbreaking scene between Lois and Oliver, and that scene I really remember a lot. There have been some moments that stick out, but as far as episodes go, no, I don't have a favorite. I liked them all. I liked "Reunion." They did a really good job with the character.

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We'd like to thank Justin again for taking the time to talk and promote the big Justice League episode. Hopefully we'll be seeing him again on our TV screens soon. For more on Justin Hartley, you can visit his official web site at http://www.justinhartleyonline.net. For more on the Green Arrow, visit http://arrow.kryptonsite.com.

Don't forget to watch "Justice" Thursday night at 8PM on The CW!

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