We just got the season 6 trailer for DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, but the show is making news for other reasons. member of the cast because the first season, Dominic Purcell, is leaving Legends of Tomorrow, though it’s not as scorched-earth an exit as originally thought. In an Instagram post, the actor said he was “walking away” from the show because “the studio does not care” about the actors. He went on to use plenty of expletives in the now-deleted post, yet still had words of praise for his fellow castmembers and his own work in the series. After some time, Purcell deleted the post, claiming that his first post was a “joke” indicated to mislead the home entertainment press. then he deleted that post for the one embedded below.
Regardless of the scenarios behind it, Dominic Purcell leaving Legends of Tomorrow reduces the number of castmembers present from season 1 to just Caity Lotz. Purcell earned the role of Mick Rory, also known as Heatwave, because of his past work on prison Break. His brother in that series was played by Wentworth Miller who played Captain cold on The Flash. Casting Purcell as Snart’s best pal (like a brother, one might say) started out as a nod to that show. However, Rory took on a life of his own enduring numerous seasons beyond Miller’s involvement in the Arrowverse. When Ray Palmer actor Brandon Routh left the series, it was seemingly a budgetary decision. He wanted to stay, but his asking price likely went up because the first season. possibly this is the same situation facing Purcell, for this reason the (reconsidered) animosity.
Still, Purcell says his character will return to the series, in a new Instagram post which you can see below.
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Dominic Purcell wrote he’s leaving Legends of Tomorrow in another now-deleted Instagram post (edited for clarity):
“I am leaving Legends of Tomorrow on a full-time basis, but I will come back periodically with a handshake deal with my boss Phil Klemmer. I have and always have had a remarkable relationship with the Bosses and the studio, Warner Bros. TV. Peter Roth and I had a remarkable working relationship. I was super-sad when he retired. My wording was aggressive in tone because in some cases I get frustrated and annoyed it’s been a long long heavy year locked up in Vancouver for 9 months without going home.”
Purcell also thanked fans for their support of the actor, for what they perceived was mistreatment on the part of the studio. The above post is his second attempt at clarification through Instagram. Still, both messages pointed out the agreement he made with executive producer Phil Klemmer. Still, his handshake deal may not be worth much if Warner Bros. TV makes a decision that his Instagram announcements caused them much more trouble than they wanted. You can see the original, not-safe-for-work message from Purcell in the image below.
What do you think? Are you upset that Dominic Purcell is leaving Legends of Tomorrow? Do you purchase that his post was a joke, or do you think this is damage control? Share your thoughts and theories in the comments below.
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DC’s Legends of Tomorrow debuts season 6 on may 2, 2021.
Featured image through Warner Bros. Television