Vancouver's Film Industry Struggles Post-Arrowverse, CW Implosion And Hollywood Strikes: What’s Next?

How The End Of The Arrowverse And Industry Strikes Have Impacted Vancouver's Film Sector

When I left Ontario in 2001 for Vancouver, often dubbed "Hollywood North," the city transitioned from a small market known primarily for the Stargate series and The X-Files into a thriving hub for film and television production. This shift was largely due to its versatile locations, skilled workforce, and attractive tax incentives. For years, the city was home to numerous high-profile shows, particularly Supernatural, Falling Skies, and those within The CW’s Arrowverse—an interconnected series of superhero TV shows like Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl that anchored Vancouver as a central production hub.

However, with the conclusion of the Arrowverse and the aftershocks of recent industry strikes, Vancouver’s film industry faces unprecedented challenges. This article explores how these factors have reshaped the city’s once-booming film scene and what the future holds. I have spoken to several crew members who are now out of work, exploring jobs outside the industry—ranging from cruise ships to bartending, dog walking, and even returning to school for a brand-new career.

The Arrowverse: A Supercharged Era for Vancouver’s Film Industry

The Arrowverse was more than just a collection of superhero shows; it was a cornerstone of Vancouver’s film industry. Starting with Arrow in 2012, the franchise expanded to include The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and several crossover events, creating consistent work for thousands of local professionals.

Having worked on the Arrow pilot, directed by the acclaimed and generous David Nutter, I witnessed firsthand how these shows brought significant investment to the city, employing a wide range of talent—from actors and directors to set designers and VFX artists. Vancouver’s landscape often doubled for fictional cities like Star City and Central City, showcasing the city’s flexibility as a filming location.

I was on the set of The Flash when Mark Hamill made his first appearance as the Trickster, a role he originated on The Flash TV show in the ’90s. After a long night of shooting, Hamill graciously took the time to shake hands with all the background actors and crew. I’ve heard many stories from friends who worked on the crew and cast, all recounting the family atmosphere these shows fostered over several years.

During its peak, the Arrowverse contributed hundreds of millions of dollars annually to Vancouver’s economy, cementing the city’s reputation as a major production center. However, all good things come to an end. As ratings declined and The CW restructured its programming strategy, the network gradually phased out the Arrowverse. The final blow came in 2024 with the cancellation of Superman And Lois, the last show of the Arrowverse lineup which ends this year on its fourth season. This marked the end of an era and left a gaping hole in Vancouver’s production calendar. In 2022, the industry broke a record with $4.9 billion in production, which rebounded from near zero during Covid.

The Strike: An Unprecedented Setback

While the end of the Arrowverse had already started to affect the local industry, the 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) and Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) strikes further crippled Vancouver’s film scene. The strikes, driven by disputes over residuals, streaming rights, and AI use in content creation, brought Hollywood—and by extension, Vancouver—to a standstill. Productions across North America halted, leaving sets abandoned and thousands of workers without paychecks.

Vancouver’s film industry, still reeling from the Arrowverse’s end, faced a double whammy as both American and local productions paused indefinitely. The strikes affected not just the film crews and actors but also ancillary businesses like catering, transportation, and post-production services that rely heavily on film production activity. The economic impact was severe, with millions lost in potential revenue.

The Post Covid Content Bubble

The content bubble in Vancouver that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic has deflated significantly in the years following. During lockdowns and social restrictions, demand for digital content skyrocketed as businesses shifted online, and individuals turned to streaming services, digital marketing, and content creation for entertainment and connection. This surge created a massive boom in Vancouver's content production industry, with many local creators, agencies, and businesses thriving. However, as the world has returned to normalcy and consumption patterns shifted, this content demand has cooled, leading to what many describe as the "popping" of the content bubble.

Post-pandemic, businesses have re-evaluated their content needs, scaling back investments in video production, digital marketing, and influencer partnerships. While digital engagement remains important, many brands have reverted to more traditional marketing strategies or diversified their spending across various platforms. The oversaturation of content creators and the reduced need for daily digital engagement has left many content agencies in Vancouver struggling to adapt. With increased competition and changing audience behaviors, the content boom that once fueled rapid growth in the city’s creative industries has leveled out, forcing many to rethink their approach to long-term digital strategies.

The Economic Impact on Vancouver

The combined effects of the Arrowverse’s conclusion and the strikes have been stark. A report by the Canadian Media Producers Association highlighted a notable decrease in film production spending in British Columbia for 2023. Compared to previous years, the drop in activity has affected not just major studios but also smaller production houses and independent filmmakers who relied on the busy environment created by larger projects.

Additionally, local unions and guilds reported an uptick in unemployment among industry professionals, with many facing financial uncertainty due to the prolonged pause in production. This downturn has also led to a skills drain, as some industry professionals have moved to other cities or pivoted to different careers, threatening Vancouver’s long-term standing as a top-tier production center.

Tax Credits Needed To Compete With California, Atlanta, And London

The current BC Film Basic Tax Credit is 35%, with an additional 12.5% for regional productions. These will need to be raised to stop runaway productions, as seen with Deadpool and Wolverine, which filmed their first two films in Vancouver before leaving for the UK, and Peacemaker, which left for Atlanta after shooting its first season in Vancouver.

As explained to me from a fellow crew member Aaron Harrison who is a Prop/Costume Armour Builder who worked on the Arrowverse helping design villain costumes:

"Basically, we aren't being competitive enough with the rest of Canada and North America. The tax incentive plans have really changed since the strikes. Also very importantly, the Liberals and the conservatives always try to paint the incentives as subsidies, which is a big fat lie and misleading. The way I've had to explain it over and over again in the simplest way, it's like somebody giving you $10, and asking for $3 back. That's $7 you never had before."

"Also the film industry is one of the few times that trickle down economics is actually real. Supplies, labor, food, gas, rentals etc etc means more people making profit or employment, which means they themselves are now spending down the line. For example somebody hires me to build some leather props. I need supplies to build said leather props, I have to go by casting supplies for any findings, so I buy local. I also have to buy leather supplies, so I buy local. Gas has to be spent to travel through such places, which is obviously bought local. So all that money has now gone to other local businesses, which means they may need more employees, or they are spending that profit on more things themselves. "

"This is how trickle down economics actually does work. The money that Productions spend becomes more money all the way down the line. It's a win-win, and isn't a subsidized thing like forestry, BC hydro, Transit etc etc. You know industries that the government keeps pouring money into without any return."

Death Of American Network TV Episode Count

As told from a Crew Member about American network TV dropping episodes count:

"The shows that ended including Good Doctor were network shows that typically go over 20 episodes per season. Even if we had the same number of streaming shows in town as say, 2018, we'd still be down by anywhere from 40-50."

"To me, the conversation should be about the impact of the death of American network television, or at least its diminished importance. Streamers make typically 6-10 episodes per season, with 13 being a rarity. Even when we get new series now, like Wild Cards on the CW and CBC, it's going to be maybe, 10-13 episodes. People look at the list of shows in town and sometimes it looks like a lot but it's streaming shows and Movies of the Week, which aren't long shoots that provide income stability. Even without the strikes, the transition to streaming would be detrimental to long term stability of the local industry."

Goodbye Good Doctor and Suits: LA, Hello Fire Country

Vancouver also saw the cancellation of popular ABC show The Good Doctor after seven seasons which filmed at Bridge Studios. Arrow star Stephen Amell returned for Suits: LA's pilot but it quickly left for California after Governor Newsom gave $51.6 in tax credits to nineteen projects.

Vancouver is betting on CBS building a franchise around Max Theriot's Fire Country series which is about California prisoners who work for early release at a fire fighter camp that films at Vancouver Film Studios . A spin-off featuring Morena Baccarin as the towns Sheriff has been greenlight titled Sherrif Country that will air next year. Supernatural star Jared Padalecki is appearing in Fire Country's now filming third season as a fellow fire fighter that is rumored to be getting his own spin-off. It is expected both shows will film in Vancouver.

Top 10 Films Shot In Vancouver

Vancouver has a rich history of blockbuster films that have shot in the city.

• Deadpool (2016) - Ryan Reynolds' iconic anti-hero film was shot largely in Vancouver, including notable scenes in the Downtown Eastside and the Georgia Viaduct​(

  
  

• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) - Although set in San Francisco, many key scenes were filmed in Vancouver's Mount Pleasant neighborhood, providing the backdrop for Caesar’s journey​(

  
  

• Godzilla (2014) - Several scenes from this blockbuster were filmed in Vancouver, including parts of Cypress Provincial Park and the Vancouver Convention Centre​(

  
  

• Fifty Shades of Grey (2015) - Although the story is set in Vancouver, Washington, much of this film, including key scenes in Gastown, was filmed in Vancouver, Canada​(

  
  

• Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol (2011) - Vancouver doubled as Seattle for some of the film’s most intense scenes, including sequences shot on Granville Island​(

  
  

• Fantastic Four (2005) - The University of British Columbia was used as the stand-in for the characters' research institute, contributing to the film’s futuristic setting​(

  
  

• Final Destination 3 (2006) - The roller coaster scene, a memorable part of this horror movie, was filmed at Vancouver’s Playland amusement park​(

  
  

• Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013) - The Vancouver area provided a scenic backdrop, including Ambleside Pier, which served as the setting for the fantasy locations​

  
  

• The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010) - Parts of this fan-favorite were filmed in Vancouver and surrounding areas, including locations like Stanley Park and Pacific Spirit Regional Park

  
  

• The X-Files: I Want to Believe (2008) - Vancouver, which hosted much of the original series, was the filming location for this supernatural thriller, maintaining its iconic connection to the franchise

  
  

Conclusion: A Challenging Road Ahead

The end of the Arrowverse and the impact of recent industry strikes have undeniably shaken Vancouver’s film industry. However, the city’s resilience and established infrastructure provide a solid foundation for a comeback. By adapting to the changing landscape and raising tax credits, Vancouver has the potential to reclaim its status as a major player in the global film and television market. Hopefully the city can get back to full production studios as consistent as the rain falling in Vancouver.

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Source: Dan Lalonde

Photo Credit: DC/CW/ABC/CBS