The upcoming CW drama is based on DC's Green Arrow comics, the same hero that Hartley portrayed in Smallville.
© The CW / David Gray
© Warner Bros. / The CW
"We... wanted to chart our own course and destiny," Guggenheim told reporters at the TCA press tour. "Justin is a terrific Arrow."
The showrunner went on to compare Arrow to the Batman franchise, Entertainment Weekly reports.
"Michael Keaton [as Batman] doesn't affect your love for Christian Bale and Christian Bale doesn't affect your love for Adam West - multiple iterations are possible," he argued.
Justin Hartley previously voiced his support for Arrow, insisting that he does not resent the show's star Stephen Amell.
"[Stephen] doesn't need any tips from me," he said. "I wouldn't even begin to do that… He's going to be great."
Arrow premieres on October 10 on The CW in the US. Sky1 will air the series in the UK.
> Arrow voted most exciting new CW show by Digital Spy readers
Watch a clip from the Arrow pilot below:
