Legends of Tomorrow: The Arrowverse’s Misleading Teaser and Unique Evolution

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For years, The CW’s “Arrowverse” was a standout example of a shared superhero universe from DC Comics. It all began in 2012 with the show Arrow, which launched a larger world of DC heroes on television. However, in 2015, the show Legends of Tomorrow hinted at a direction that ultimately diverged from the initial vision.

Although Arrow gained a dedicated following, the launch of spin-offs like The Flash in 2014 and Supergirl in 2015 dramatically increased the popularity of what became known as the Arrowverse. This allowed the universe to grow, bringing lesser-known comic book characters into the spotlight.

Before Legends of Tomorrow premiered in 2016, a trailer released in 2015 showed a very different version of the show than what actually aired.

Legends Of Tomorrow’s Teaser Trailer Promised A Completely Different Show

Before Legends of Tomorrow premiered, the shared universe of superhero shows—known as the Arrowverse—was still in its early stages of connecting its stories. The Flash and Arrow had done a few small crossover episodes, and Supergirl was about to join them, but her show took place in a different reality.

The idea behind Legends of Tomorrow could have been the first step towards a stronger link between these shows. This potential was actually hinted at in a preview trailer released in early 2015, a full year before the series premiered.

The trailer heavily featured Barry Allen and Oliver Queen, along with the show’s usual characters, and hinted at a significant shift in direction. It suggested a darker, more complex storyline. However, the episodes that actually aired on The CW turned out to be quite different from what the trailer implied.

Legends Of Tomorrow Seemed Like It Was Going To Be The Arrowverse’s Justice League

It seems like Legends of Tomorrow wasn’t intended to be a team of underdogs or less prominent heroes compared to the Green Arrow and the Flash. Instead, the show aimed to portray a powerful team of top-tier superheroes.

Both the Flash and Arrow were originally planned to join Rip Hunter’s team for a time-traveling adventure against villains like Vandal Savage. The show’s trailer suggested it was heading in that direction.

How Legends Of Tomorrow Became So Different From What It Was Originally Teased

The CW/Courtesy Everett Collection

Despite being part of the Arrowverse, Legends of Tomorrow stood out as something truly unique. It developed a loyal fanbase, and its playful tone, combined with unexpected team-ups, offered a different take on DC superheroes.

Honestly, I was a little surprised by how little of a role The Flash and Green Arrow actually played in this series. It really felt like the show built itself around the other characters instead. It makes sense though, when you think about it – both Stephen Amell and Grant Gustin were already leading their own shows, and it’s probably tough to commit to a big role in another one on top of that. They just didn’t have the time to really shine here.

The Legends eventually got to team up with other heroes from the Arrowverse during big crossover events like ‘Crisis on Infinite Earths,’ but for the most part, they operated independently. This separation also played a role in the show’s overall tone becoming quite different over time.

Without being tied to ‘Arrow’, the show developed its own distinct style and moved away from the darker, more serious tone of its predecessor. While the final product is quite different from the initial preview, it’s still a memorable and unique series.

I’m Glad That Legends Of Tomorrow Grew Into Something Totally Unique

It took a little while for Legends of Tomorrow to really hit its stride, like a lot of superhero shows do. The first season was interesting because it surprised viewers, not only by changing the original idea for the show, but also by portraying its heroes as a team of unlikely underdogs. It just needed some time to figure out what made it special and find its rhythm.

Once the show found its unique identity and differentiated itself from other shows in the Arrowverse, it became much more compelling. Characters like Rip Hunter, initially mysterious, were gradually developed with richer backstories, eventually becoming fan favorites.

Without established heroes like the Flash and Arrow dominating the screen, the characters in Legends of Tomorrow had the space to develop and take on new responsibilities. It’s unlikely the show would have been as successful, or even possible, if those bigger Arrowverse stars had been regular cast members.

It’s disappointing that the initial trailer for the DC and Arrowverse show didn’t reflect the final product, but given the long gap – over a year – between the trailer and the show’s release, it’s understandable that things evolved significantly.

Legends of Tomorrow quickly became a fan favorite within the Arrowverse. While it was unique and often eccentric, it proved to be a strong addition to the shared universe, and many believe the creative decisions made before its debut actually improved the show.

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2025-10-24 22:51