Ever since January, Stephen Amell fans have been waiting with bated breath for his return to the small screen, since the actor had already locked down a brand new TV role even before Arrow wrapped its eight-season run on The CW. Like just about everything else in Hollywood, the production schedule for his new show Heels faced major delays, but it looks like things are finally back on track. And fresh off an early first look from the Heels set, Amell gave fans a sneak peek that indicates just how fierce the training already is for the Starz drama.
Addressing his millions of followers on Twitter, a sweaty-headed Stephen Amell shared the quick video below, which was presumably recorded in the midst of getting his wrestling on for a training session. Check it out, and note that Amell will likely be rocking pretty short hair in portraying his new character Jack Spade.
Stephen Amell doesn't even have to say a word in that video to clue fans in on how pooped he in in the moment. Of course, if he did try to say anything, it would probably be something like, "Hey. [Gasp] Heels. [Gasp] Work. [Gasp] Starz. [Gasp]," or maybe that's just what I would sound like, assuming I wouldn't have immediately passed out.
Is it just me, or does it look like Stephen Amell's mustache is as long as, or is longer than, the hair on top of his head? Lord knows pro wrestling has had its share of iconic facial hair, from the signature 'staches of Hulk Hogan and Ravishing Rick Rude to the eye-catching beards of The Big Show and Jim Neidhart, to name but a few. Let's all remember that Amell ran the entire gamut of questionable hairstyles while on Arrow, so whatever he's got going for Heels is going to be a winner in comparison.
On that note, though, just look at Amell's 'do in a throwback pic he recently shared. That hair is giving itself a suplex.
Given that Heels takes place in the squared circle world of pro wrestling, it's no big surprise that gearing up for filming requires a lot of physical training. While detractors like to point out that wrestling is largely scripted, that doesn't take away from those in the profession requiring keen athleticism, agility, and as much stamina and physical endurance as possible. And considering TV shows require scenes to be shot multiple times, that means Stephen Amell and others are busting their asses that much harder when fights are being filmed. It's good, then, that Amell already got a few tastes of the pro-wrestling life whenever he entered into a bonkers storyline with then-WWE superstar Cody Rhodes as Stardust, and those experiences no doubt paved the way for his involvement with Heels.
Set in a small Georgia town where everyone knows everyone else's business, Heels centers on a family-owned wrestling promotion being fought over by rival brothers, Stephen Amell's Jack Spade and Alexander Ludwig's Ace Spade, with both of them wishing to honor their father's legacy. Their real-world strifes carry over into the kayfabe of their pro wrestling efforts, with Ace as the promotion's babyface and Jack in the more villainous role. It should be quite interesting to see Amell in a less-than-savory role after so many years playing Arrow's Oliver Queen.
Also starring Mary McCormack, Chris Bauer, Kelli Burglund and more, Heels was crafted by Rick and Morty writer/producer Michael Waldron, who also wrote the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and the pilot episode for Disney+'s Loki TV series. Snowpiercer star Mike O'Malley will be serving as the showrunner,
Heels doesn't yet have a release window locked down on Starz yet, but stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more information as it becomes available. While waiting, head to our Fall TV 2020 premiere schedule to see what new and returning shows are on the way.
