Production
"Swan Thong" was written by executive producer Keto Shimizu and Morgan Faust. [2] [3] Shimizu and Faust finished the production draft on January 13, 2020. The second and third versions of the script were finished on January 14 and 15 of 2020. The fourth and final version was completed on January 16, the final day of preparation. [1] Several alternative titles for the episode were considered including, "The Hateful Fates", "One Mans Trash...", and "Fight at the Museum." [4] The final version of the title is a reference to Sisqó's "Thong Song". [5] The closing moment of the episode feature a punk-rock version of the original song "Mister Parkers Cul de Sac", written by James Eagan, which had previously appeared in an episode of the same name. The song was chosen as it talked about friendships. Showrunner Phil Klemmer told Entertainment Weekly that "I guess it encapsulates our show. Like a punk song, it sounds brash and kind of cacophonous, but if you listen a little bit more closely the lyrics are just about [how] circles are like friendships that never end. That's Charlie basically screaming she's gonna remain a Legend forever." [6] Tala Ashe appears as both Zari Tomaz and Zari Tarazi in the episode. The effect of both appearing simultaneously was achieved through using motion capture and split screens. However, due to technical constraints it was decided that this would be only temporary and that one of the two Zari's had to be written out. Tarazi was chosen as the writers wanted to maintain the sibling dynamic between her and Behrad Tarazi. [6] The episode was written knowing Richard-Sellers would not be returning for the sixth season and therefore had to conclude Charlie's character arc. [6]
Casting
The episode stars Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Caity Lotz, Tala Ashe, Jes Macallan, Nick Zano, Matt Ryan, Dominic Purcell, Amy Louise Pemberton, Courtney Ford, and Olivia Swann as Charlie, Sara Lance, Zari Tarazi, Nate Haywood, John Constantine, Mick Rory, Gideon (voice), Marie Antoinette, and Astra Louge. [2] Additionally, Tala Ashe portrays Zari Tomaz, the version of Zari that was part of the Legends prior to the events of "Hey, World!". [7]
This is the final episode of Legends of Tomorrow to feature Maisie Richardson-Sellers and Courtney Ford as a series regulars. [8] Richardson-Sellers left the show to work on her career as a filmmaker, [9] with her first directing credit being the short film "Sunday's Child". [10] Both Richardson-Sellers and Ford eventually returned to Legends of Tomorrow. Richardson-Sellers as a director, directing the episodes "There Will be Brood" and "The Fixed Point". [11] [12] Ford as Nora Darhk in the 100th episode, "wvrdr_error_100<oest-of-th3-gs.gid30n> not found". [13]
This is the final episode to guest star Shayan Sobhian as Behrad Tarazi and Adam Tsekhman as Gary Green as the two were both promoted to series regulars for the remainder of the show. [14] [15] Former series regular Ramona Young guest stars as Mona Wu, this is her final appearance as the character. [16] Sisqó guest stars as himself. He was Klemmer's first choice for the cameo, however Klemmer did not ask him until four days before filming began. [5] [17]
Filming
"Swan Thong" was directed by Kevin Mock. The episode entered preparation on January 8, 2020, and ended on the 16th. Shooting began the next day and ran until January 29, 2020. [1] A scene featuring a same-sex kiss between Charlie and Zari, The pairing being a popular ship by fans of the series, was shot. However, the scene was cut as it didn't fit the tone of the episode. Both Richard-Seller and Shimizu stated that the cast and crew were in favor of keeping the scene but thought it did not work. [3] [18]
