Emily Bett Rickards was the surprise breakout star of Arrow. Her role as computer guru Felicity Smoak was meant to be a one-off guest appearance. However, her chemistry with lead Stephen Amell led to her becoming the show’s leading lady and Felicity marrying Oliver Queen. Now, the Arrow co-stars are reuniting to play a radically different couple in Calamity Jane.
The film stars Rickards as the titular sharpshooter and folk hero. Amell plays the equally legendary Wild Bill Hickok, who was a soldier, scout, showman and outlaw. Unfortunately, Arrow fans will have little chance to see the two interacting.
The film is based around Wild Bill’s death, following a poker game with a man named Jack McCall. Hearing of her lover’s murder, Calamity Jane escapes from prison intent on delivering her own brand of frontier justice. Unfortunately, the sheriff of Deadwood is in her way and equally determined to bring her back in.
Check out the trailer for Calamity Jane below.
Arrow Star Amell Happy to “Play” With Rickards Again
Shortly after the release of Calamity Jane’s trailer, Stephen Amell posted on Instagram about the film. Amell credited his Arrow co-star with his casting, writing about how she texted him about her new role. When she asked if he “wanted to come and play,” he answered in the affirmative.
Based on Amell’s claims, Arrow fans used to seeing Rickards in a passive role may be surprised by her performance in Calamity Jane. Amell describes Rickards as “fully in control” and “terrific.” The trailer shows Rickards in several scenes more intense than those usually featuring Felicity Smoak. This is certainly true to the stories of the real Calamity Jane, who lived a wild life by most accounts. However, it should be noted that there is some debate among historians as to whether the real Calamity Jane and Wild Bill Hickok were a couple.
Calamity Jane arrives in theaters and on digital from Tubi Films on February 2, 2024.
