Por Matt Fowler Arrow / 19 Nov 2014
Right at the end of last week's Arrow episode, "Guilty," DC Comics' Cupid made her debut. Played by Amy Gumenik (Supernatural's younger incarnation of Mary Winchester), Cupid's now out to win the heart of Starling City's vigilante, even if it means murdering just about everyone around him.
On this week's "Draw Back Your Bow," Arrow must face down Cupid's deadly obsession with him while trying to keep those around him safe from her lethal love arrows. I spoke to Gumenik about her new killer role, what lies ahead for her character in the Arrow-verse, the little Cupid-y Easter Eggs in the background of last week's installment, and being cast as a DC Comics character created by Arrow's own EP, Andrew Kreisberg, during his run on the Green Arrow comic book.
IGN: Tell me a little about filming those background scenes last week. A lot of fans missed you appearing in some of those scenes and had to revisit the episode later on to catch you.
Amy Gumenik: Yeah, that was interesting. It's obviously the first thing that we shot with the character and for me it felt like it was a nice warm up. And it gave me the opportunity to be her when no one was looking. To be the stalker in the background. And to get a peek at what Cupid's, or at that point Carrie's, life really is. I think she does a lot of lurking in the shadows. So that was a fun, different opportunity for me to just jump in and live her life rather than just go straight into the action. And you know when I first saw the script and saw the line "I'm Cupid, stupid" I really didn't need anymore convincing about it. Because I think that line sells itself.
IGN: So she lurks in the shadows, but she's also not afraid to pop out with a line like that. With panache.
Gumenik: Oh, absolutely. But I think that her timing is very deliberate. She doesn't make herself known until she has figured out every step of her plan and every part of her target's plan. She just knows when her perfect moments are and how to make a maximum impression.
IGN: So she's psychotic but also patient.
Gumenik: In some ways yes. But not always when it comes to Arrow, no.
IGN: There's a line in the teaser for the episode where you hear Cupid say "One night with me and you'll change your mind." That's a lot of confidence for a stalker.
Gumenik: I think that she is confident while she's in her Cupid persona. I think that she's definitely ruled by love at that point. And feels like nothing can stop her and no one can stand in her way. And she's really willing to do anything, including kill, for him. And that goes for a lot of characters on this show. I think just about all of them are living two lives and have a secret side that they don't show to everyone. And this is a fun one to navigate. And in those moments when she decides that she's Cupid, she's ready to go. And finds the confidence within her that perhaps she doesn't have as Carrie Cutter.
IGN: So putting on her Cupid costume sort of awakens something within her.
Gumenik: I think so, yeah. I think like we see with Oliver when he dresses up like the Arrow, there's definitely something that happens when these characters physically step into the shoes of these comic book heroes and villains.
IGN: Is Oliver, or Arrow, the first target of Carrie's obsession? Or will we see that there've been others?
Gumenik: He's not her first, and I do think that there's a pattern. But I also think that Arrow's the most extreme manifestation of this stalker-ism, if you will. She definitely sees something in Arrow that's different from the men she's been with and the ones she's been obsessed with. And I think he sort of set something off in her that's even bigger than she's ever felt before. But yes, her history with men is not healthy. And she does have obsessive tendencies. But there's something about Arrow specifically that's different.
IGN: Is this an "I love you to death" type situation?
Gumenik: In her world, in an ideal situation, it's probably an "I love you to death" scenario. She's determined to show him that they can both live happily ever after and convince him of that. She sees Arrow's hesitation as him being afraid to fully jump into a relationship with her. Which may or may not be a mixed interpretation based on some of the signals he's giving her, but I do think that the alternative exists as well. There's a bit of "If I can't have you then no one can." She doesn't want it to go to that level, but she's prepared to do whatever it takes to make him hers. Or no one's.
IGN: It's one thing to come onto a show like this an play a DC character, and it's another to play one that was created by Arrow executive producer Andrew Kreisberg when he wrote for Green Arrow. Did you feel any added pressure there?
Gumenik: Yeah, I mean initially when I auditioned for the role I didn't know that the character was Cupid. Because they used code names in the script to protect the surprise. So in a way I was glad that I didn't know. Because it is an added pressure and I've got some big shoes to fill. Cupid is such a fun, celebrated part of the DC Comics world. But there was a little bit of pressure going into it, absolutely. And I think that Andrew was incredibly gracious in that he supplied me with research material and he was there as a resource if and when I needed him. And then also allowed and encouraged me to find and create my own Cupid. Using his creation as a guideline. So for me to have the opportunity to work with him directly, I kind of feel like it was, and is, a huge honor to bring his character to life. And to collaborate on that has been a tremendous gift that I didn't know I would have going into it. And I think he's brilliant. And he has such a genius mind to be able to create such fun and crazy characters but still remain so humble and normal.
IGN: The character of Brick is also coming to the show, played by Vinnie Jones. In the comics, he and Cupid crossed paths rather violently. Can we expect anything from the two of them?
Gumenik: Yes. Actually you can. Brick is one of many characters she crosses paths with. And she is determined and dedicated to rid herself and rid Arrow of anyone who comes between them. And so I think this episode just begins to touch on that and begins to touch on who all those people are. But there's definitely more to be explored.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/11/19/ ... t-any-cost
Por Matt Webb Mitovich / 19 Noviembre 2014, 8:03 AM PST
Albeit three months early for Valentine’s Day, Cupid makes her bow tonight on Arrow (The CW, 8/7c), setting her sights on Starling City’s enigmatic vigilante and anyone who ostensibly could come between them.
Amy Gumenick — whose previous TV credits include AMC’s TURN and the role of Supernatural‘s Young Mary Winchester — shared with TVLine a look at Cupid’s mission and whether the Arrow’s super-ardent admirer might figure in the ongoing “Who killed Sara?” mystery.
TVLINE | Now, I spotted you in the background of at least one other scene last week, before Cupid revealed herself the end. But was there a second Easter egg?
There were two. We see her outside of the gym as Laurel’s exiting, and we see her again walking past Diggle’s van.
TVLINE | I am admittedly rather in the dark about this DC Comics character. What’s Cupid’s deal?
Well, Cupid is a supervillain, as described by the DC comic book world. She exudes extreme strength as a martial artist and as a hand-to-hand fighter, and she also has an extreme emotional capacity. She’s definitely a bit mentally unstable and will meet no ends to get what she wants. Fundamentally, she is driven by love and will fight anyone and face anything for her love.
TVLINE | OK, so she just wants to be loved.
Exactly. [Laughs] See, she’s not that bad!
TVLINE | Who was Carrie Cutter before she started stalking Arrow and killing “for” him?
Carrie worked as a cop for many years. She also worked in the military. She was asked — or forced, if you will — to leave law enforcement because of her unstable mental state.
TVLINE | Is that why we see her being “familiar” with Quentin Lance in the promo?
[Coyly] I believe so…. She has definitely crossed paths with these guys before, and though her badge was taken away, in her mind she is still doing [the job]. In a way, in becoming Cupid she found a way to get to and solve the crimes before they happen, rather than arriving after the fact.
TVLINE | How long as Carrie been carrying this torch for the Arrow?
This isn’t a sudden “love at first sight” situation. Perhaps it feels that way, but once she makes her mind up that he’s “the one,” she is determined to get him. How far back that goes is open for interpretation.
TVLINE | Even though her obsession is the Arrow, and not Oliver Queen, is Felicity perhaps seen as a threat? Or Laurel…?
I think that they are potential threats, but I don’t think Cupid is too worried about them.
TVLINE | In her quest, does Cupid make use of or “have her way with” other men?
Oh, absolutely. She has been in love, as touched upon in the comic books. But there is something different and bigger and more powerful about the love that she feels for Arrow. And yet she is a woman who knows how to get what she wants, so there’s definitely some manipulation, definitely some perhaps “inappropriate” use of other men…. She will do whatever it takes.
TVLINE | Because of her thing for Arrow, and because she obviously has some archery skills, are we going to wonder if it was she who killed Sara?
That question definitely is raised…. In the comic books, Black Canary is a big rival of Cupid’s; she sort of is the biggest obstacle in the way of her getting Arrow. So if I were investigating Sara’s death, I would definitely question her.
TVLINE | Who do you get to interact with most, of the main characters?
Most of my interactions are with Stephen [Amell]. But Arsenal (played by Colton Haynes) gets in my way, so I have to take care of him. And there are a few of Arrow’s enemies that I present to him as “gifts.”
TVLINE | How many episodes can we expect to have you around for?
Good question. We are discussing and plotting for future adventures, so there will hopefully be more. How many, I don’t have a number…. But there is definitely unfinished business that Cupid will return to take care of
TVLINE | [Showrunner] Marc Guggenheim told me that this episode ends in a way that “will suggest exactly how and when and under what circumstances we’ll see Cupid again.”
Ooh, I like that! [Laughs] Let’s stick with that story.
http://tvline.com/2014/11/19/arrow-seas ... ick-cupid/
Por Christina Radish 19 Noviembre 2014
In Episode 307 of The CW drama series Arrow, entitled “Draw Back Your Bow,” we get a deeper exploration of the Arrow-obsessed serial killer that we have only just gotten a glimpse of. Carrie Cutter (Amy Gumenick), aka Cupid, is convinced that The Arrow (Stephen Amell) is her one true love and will stop at nothing, no matter how deadly, to get his attention.
During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, actress Amy Gumenick talked about having no idea which character she was actually up for when she auditioned, what an honor it is to bring to life a character that was created for the comics by executive producer Andrew Kreisberg (the writer of the Green Arrow/Black Canary comic book series, at the time), who Cupid is and what her motives are, what it is about The Arrow that attracted her attention, why The Arrow is caught off guard by Cupid, how bad-ass it feels to put on the costume and pick up the bow and arrows, and that her character will go to any and every extreme possible to prove her love and have her happy ending. Check out what she had to say after the jump.
Collider: This character seems like so much fun!
AMY GUMENICK: Oh, it is so, so, so much fun! Fun doesn’t even begin to describe it.
How did you come to be playing Cupid on Arrow? Did it help that the network was already familiar with you from Supernatural, or did you go through an audition process?
GUMENICK: I do think it helped. However, I did go through an audition process. I auditioned for the producers and writers of Episode 307, and the creators of the show and of Cupid. And when I initially auditioned, they would not release any information about who the character was. All I was given was that she was a redhead, so it was a bit of a mystery for me. I went in and created this mysterious redhead, and I didn’t find out it was Cupid until after I was cast. So, it was as fun a surprise for me, as it was for the fans.
Were you more nervous or excited to play a character created for the comics by one of the producers of the show?
GUMENICK: Both! It’s a huge honor. In a way, I was glad that I didn’t know that, going into it, and that they saved that fact until after I had already been cast. But, I think that Cupid is such a brilliantly written character. She’s so fun and multi-dimensional. So, to step into those shoes was definitely scary. They are big shoes to fill. But Andrew Kreisberg, who created the character, did a really beautiful job in laying the groundwork for her, and then allowing us, as a team, to really collaborate and bring her to life. It was such a fun process.
Did Andrew Kreisberg give you any specific guidance or tell you anything about Cupid that helped you in how you wanted to play her?
GUMENICK: I definitely caught up on as many of the comics that included Cupid that I could get my hands on. There have been some hilarious cartoons created, and I wanted to base her as much as possible in the comic book world, as well as bringing an element of grounded humanness to her. I didn’t want to play a cartoon, but I wanted to have elements of that. Andrew really let me discover that. He his big thing, and the ongoing conversation, was that while she is mentally unstable and she does go to extreme measures to fight for her love, and is flat-out a murderer, to really keep in mind that she is driven by love and she is out to get the bad guys and she has fun doing it. The fun and the game was something that, throughout the whole process, we kept trying to discover. This is all a big game for her. So, when I could really live in that place, I forgot about the negative things that she was doing. It’s fun when it’s all part of this game of love, and that was something he really encouraged.
You’ve gotten a taste of what fandom can be like, with your work on Supernatural, as that show also has a really dedicated fan following. Does that help you have an appreciation for the fans of Arrow and the level of dedication that they have?
GUMENICK: Oh, absolutely! There’s actually a lot of cross-over, which I thought was really interesting, and didn’t know until working on Arrow. A lot of the amazingly loyal fans of Supernatural are also Arrow fans, so it’s been a fun opportunity to reconnect with all of them and, in a way, dedicate this character to them. It’s been great to have been invited back into that world.
What can you say about how Cupid fits into this episode, and what it is about The Arrow that attracted her attention, in the first place?
GUMENICK: Without giving too much away, she and Arrow have definitely crossed paths before, and I think she’s had her eye on him for quite awhile. Cupid is someone who’s been burned in the past, many times, and has lost many lovers. She sees a lot of herself in Arrow and looks up to him, on several levels. She wants to be the fighter than he is, and she wants to fight beside him. In a lot of ways, she seems him as a hero, and that’s something that she is immediately drawn to. Once Cupid has her mind on something, nothing will stop her from getting it. I would say that it’s love at first sight, except that this isn’t the first sight. It’s been a long time coming, and now is her opportunity to really jump on it, so she goes for it.
We obviously know that The Arrow knows how to deal with really bad guys and girls, but a romantic stalker is a whole different game for him.
GUMENICK: It’s dangerous on a different level.
So, what can you say about how he reacts to this situation, when he’s made aware of it?
GUMENICK: I think that he’s caught off guard. Cupid’s way in is not the typical way. She comes from an emotional place, and finds his weakness and the vulnerable spots in him. Love makes you do and see and act in ways that you would never even imagine yourself doing or feeling or acting, and she uses that to her advantage. And I think it is genuine for her. In the filming process, we talked about, why doesn’t he just shoot her and kill her? He is powerful enough that this could easily be a problem that is quickly solved, and yet he doesn’t react that way. There is more heart that she finds, and they can relate on the issue of the unattainable love. I think it’s interesting that he allows her to play this game and, in a way, plays along with her. She finds something in him that is rooted in emotion, and that’s not a territory that he’s familiar with.
How bad-ass does it feel to be able to put on the costume with the bow and the arrows, and be the one making The Arrow nervous?
GUMENICK: So bad-ass! The writers of this show do a really good job in creating bad-ass women. This genre, in general, does a really good job at that. The second I put on the costume, in my first fitting, I felt like there was a transformation. And then, they gave me the arrows and I was fortunate enough to get to work, one on one, with the archery expert and embody this new skill. I will say that archery is more powerful and empowering than I ever thought. So, it’s pretty remarkable to step into such a bad-ass character and just go for it.
Cupid is described as a murderous villainess with a tenuous grasp on reality, who seeks extreme ways to demonstrate her obsessive love for The Arrow. How do you think she would describe herself?
GUMENICK: I think that she would describe herself as a woman in love. Like anyone who’s ever been in love, nothing and nobody could ever get in the way of that. I think that she will go to any and every extreme possible to prove her love and to have her happy ending.
http://collider.com/amy-gumenick-arrow- ... interview/
Por Bryan Cairns 19 de Noviembre 2014
While Starling City's Arrow has his fair share of admirers, he'll face his biggest -- and craziest -- fan to date in tonight's episode of "Arrow," "Draw Back Your Bow." Introduced in the final scenes of last week's installment, Cupid (played by "Supernatural" alum Amy Gumenick) will take center stage as she attempts to grab the Emerald Archer's attention by killing people.
Introduced in 2009's "Green Arrow/Black Canary" #15, Carrie Cutter (AKA Cupid) was a special ops soldier who volunteered for an experimental program that ultimately heightened her emotions to a psychotic degree. Consequently, she's developed an unhealthy obsession with Arrow and will stop at nothing to make him her man, including murder.
In order to get a better read on how Cupid will affect Oliver Queen's world, CBR News spoke with Gumenick about her character's fixation on the Arrow, the joy of taking on physically demanding roles, her experience on "Supernatural" and getting a little crazy.
CBR News: Amy, what's unique about Cupid compared to the Arrow's other adversaries?
Amy Gumenick: Well, she's in love with him and will stop at nothing to have their happy ending together.
"Arrow" executive producer Andrew Kreisberg originally created Cupid for the Green Arrow comic books. Did you get to pick his brain about the character?
I did a bit. Andrew was definitely involved with the whole casting process and was on set for a part of filming the episode. It was such an incredible opportunity and gift to get to work with him hands-on, and, yes, to pick his brain and learn where Cupid came from and the various people he based her on from his life. The research is endless for this character.
I will say Andrew really encouraged me to find the fun and enjoy her and the journey she goes on and the crimes she commits and remember it's all in the name of love. Together, we brought that to life. He was also very generous in allowing me to create my own version of Cupid and run with it.
In the teaser trailer, Cupid comes off as flirty and slightly insane. What was your take on her?
She's not the most emotionally or mentally stable person. Her idea of fun is perhaps a bit twisted. She reads Arrow's response and actions as, "Oh, this is a game." In her mind, it's like a cat and mouse game. He's playing hard to get. She takes that signal and goes to extreme measures. Where the danger comes in is she's incredibly strong, both physically and emotionally, and is an exceptional martial artist and has taken up archery to become closer to Arrow and prove herself. It is fun for her, but it's dangerous and at any moment, it could be taken too far.
Do you feel this episode is "Arrow's" version of "Fatal Attraction" times one hundred?
Absolutely, and yet there's a bit of a Romeo and Juliet thing going on. It's this long-lost love that cannot be, and yet she's determined to break that spell. But, yeah, "Fatal Attraction" is a perfect way to look at it.
What draws her to Arrow?
She sees Arrow as a hero. She sees his passion for what he does and his extreme strengths. I think she wants to be the one who takes care of him. Even in the trailer, there's the line, "I see the way you take care of your city. Who takes care of you?" Cupid wants to be that for him. She's never really taken care of anyone. She sees him in a lot of ways as a savior and respects that about him. She also sees a capacity to love and be loved, and she's determined to show him that.
Obviously, Arrow isn't moved by her "tokens of affection." How does Cupid handle rejection?
Not very well. She literally says, "I don't handle rejection very well," so she's aware of her flaws. The more rejection she feels, and the harder she feels Arrow is being, the bigger and more extreme her reactions become. As we see very early on, just in the last minute of the episode "Guilty," she'll kill for him if that's what it takes to prove her love.
Is she the jealous type? Should viewers be concerned for Laurel and Felicity's safety?
There is definitely potential for danger. She's made up her mind that if he can't be hers, than he's not going to be with anyone else. She will make sure they live happily ever after, whether it's alive or dead. I would be slightly afraid if I were one of them.
As Mary Winchester on "Supernatural," you came to blows with the angel Anna and got your butt whooped a bit. Did that choreography help prepare you for the level of action in "Arrow"?
It did. One of the things the CW does so well is raise these strong, powerful, physically active women. It's been such an honor as an actress to get to play two incredibly strong, yet very different roles. On both shows, I was allowed to personally explore that. On "Supernatural," I did my own fighting, which was a fun surprise. It's so rare that they allow actors to do that. On "Arrow," I got to start studying the art of archery. It's an added perk, particularly on shows likes this, to learn these new skills. On a lot of levels, working on "Supernatural" and playing Mary prepared me for this role.
Cupid becomes a recurring threat in the comics. How worse would she be around Valentine's Day?
A lot. It was funny. While we were filming, we kept talking about how this would be a perfect Valentine's Day episode. She awakens something in Arrow. In a way, she serves as a mirror to him of, "You can love, and you can be loved, despite the obstacles you seem to see before you." Valentine's Day is a perfect day for her to jump back in and cause more trouble.
What's been enjoyable about playing someone a little off their rocker?
Oh, everything. The nature of her character is she's so unpredictable and drastic and irrational. There really is not much logic. She's very impulsive. For me, to get to play a character that in one episode rides the entire emotional spectrum has been so much fun and challenging. It was an incredible opportunity for me that I hope I get to continue to explore, because I think the possibilities with this character are endless. I'm excited to see where they take her.
http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page ... e&id=57199
Por Aaron Couch 19/11/2014 6:00 PM PST
Don't worry Cupid fans — we may see more of her on Arrow yet. Sure, she's supposedly going straight as a member of The Suicide Squad, but she definitely has more Oliver (Stephen Amell) to taunt.
"I would absolutely be up for it. I would be thrilled," Cupid actress Amy Gumenick tells The Hollywood Reporter of the possibility of returning. "The episode is definitely left open-ended. There are many avenues they could take with Cupid. I'm excited to see which path they jump on. There is definitely potential there." who masterfully played the Ollie-obsessed villain in Wednesdays' episode, says she believes there's more in store for her character.
Cupid had some badass moves in the episode, and Gumenick says that was no easy feat to achieve. See what she has to say about shooting the episode below.
What was the toughest part about playing Cupid?
My job was so much more than acting the part. While acting, I was using a deadly weapon that I had never used before and finding the balance between portraying this woman who is for half of it crazy and unpredictable and dangerous, while grounding her in reality. One of the biggest challenges of playing any kind of villain is finding the redeemable qualities, and putting myself in the audiences shoes and finding what they can relate to. I hope as a team we found that and were successful in that. I was a fun ride and great adventure, and I hope to continue it.
It's very physical. What was that aspect like?
There was archery, there was hand-to-hand combat, so that was a fun bonus to the acting side, was to get to dive into the physical part as well.
How did you get in the right head space to play her?
Fun doesn't even begin to describe it. Embracing a character that is so wild and all over the place and unpredictable and yet has such incredible strength and power and in really one episode gets to ride the entire emotional spectrum was such an amazing opportunity. The character of cupid is kind of a dream come true for a female actress. It's not often that I get to wear a leather outfit and sling arrows at people. It was so fun.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-f ... ure-750587