James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, has offered an ambiguous update on Green Arrow’s status in the newly rebooted DC Universe (DCU), leaving fans wondering if the character will be part of the upcoming slate. Green Arrow, known as Oliver Queen in the comics, has only appeared twice in live-action television before—first in Smallville, portrayed by Justin Hartley, and later in The CW’s Arrowverse, where Stephen Amell took on the role for eight seasons. Despite the character’s popularity, Gunn has neither confirmed nor denied his presence in the current DCU plans.
Green Arrow‘s previous adaptations helped establish his place among DC’s television heroes, with Amell’s portrayal crossing over with other significant characters such as The Flash and Supergirl. Fans had hoped to see the hero appear in Zack Snyder’s Justice League films, especially with Rebel Moon actor Charlie Hunnam reportedly turning down the role. However, those projects overlapped with Amell’s active involvement on The CW, which culminated in the dramatic “Crisis on Infinite Earths” event where Oliver Queen sacrificed himself to reboot the multiverse in early 2020.
Uncertainty Surrounding Green Arrow’s Place in the New DC Universe
During a recent podcast episode related to the HBO Max hit Peacemaker, James Gunn and the show’s cast clarified some canon questions, including the role of Green Arrow within the DCU reboot. The show’s lead character, played by John Cena, humorously references Oliver Queen, joking that he
“goes to Brony conventions dressed as the back half of Twilight Sparkle.”
Since Peacemaker Season 1 took place in the old DCEU timeline, but Season 2 is set within the new DCU, fans have been eager to understand how these two continuities interact.
When asked if this Green Arrow mention was canonical in the new DCU, Gunn avoided a direct answer, stating:
“I don’t know, I’m not willing to say yet. We don’t really know. We don’t have Green Arrow as part of our system right now. So maybe he exists, maybe he doesn’t.” —James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
This statement indicates that Green Arrow is not currently an active character within the DCU’s story framework. The ambiguity leaves open many possibilities, either that Oliver Queen may eventually be introduced or that the character could exist in an alternate or undefined capacity.
The Creative Reason Behind Balancing DCU Characters’ Powers
Gunn has also commented on a broader strategy for maintaining balance in the DCU character lineup, explaining why Superman’s power levels were reduced in the reboot. He noted that he admired Batman as a child because Superman was “just too strong at times,” and as the DCU develops, Gunn wants to ensure that characters with comparatively simpler skills, such as a bow-wielding vigilante, remain relevant.
“As a child, the reason I liked Batman better than Superman was because Superman was just too strong at times. We’re building a whole universe of characters, and I didn’t want to have one guy who was so much stronger than anybody else, that a guy with a bow and arrow didn’t matter.” —James Gunn, DC Studios Co-CEO
This approach suggests that any future version of Green Arrow will be crafted to fit into a diverse ensemble, where every hero’s abilities matter to the overall narrative and character dynamics.
Stephen Amell Reflects on Green Arrow’s Future in the DCU
The most recent actor to portray Green Arrow in live-action, Stephen Amell, has also addressed the potential reboot of his character. Amell acknowledged that while he does not currently play Oliver Queen in the new DCU, the role will likely be recast as part of the franchise’s ongoing evolution.
“There will be another Oliver Queen. There will, and it’ll be new and cool and exciting and however much the internet hates it is probably a direct indication as to how good it’s going to be. You’ve got to remember that these people aren’t picked at random. Very, very smart people think long and hard about how they’re going to go about this, and I’m sure that whoever they pick, if in fact they do, maybe they don’t care about the character, I don’t know, will do an amazing job.” —Stephen Amell, Actor
Amell’s statement highlights confidence that whoever assumes the Green Arrow mantle in the DCU will bring a fresh and compelling interpretation, even if it initially sparks controversy among fans online.
Potential Directions and Timeline for Green Arrow’s Integration
With James Gunn’s
“maybe he exists, maybe he doesn’t”
comment, speculation about how and when Green Arrow will enter the DCU continues. Gunn’s remark that Green Arrow
“isn’t part of our system right now”
strongly hints that the character is not under immediate development for upcoming projects. This leaves open the option for an origin story or a future narrative picking up Green Arrow at a later stage in his hero career, similar to how Superman and Batman were approached.
Although some actors have been linked to various DC roles, including Garrett Dillahunt as conspiracist cowboy William Macon, no casting announcements have confirmed a Green Arrow role, maintaining a veil of mystery around his arrival.
When Green Arrow does eventually join the DCU, there may be opportunities to explore aspects closer to his comic book roots, deviating from previous versions that leaned heavily on the dark and brooding style. A unique possibility might be a romantic-comedy film pairing him with Black Canary, given their status as one of the DC Universe’s most iconic couples.
Given the extensive project slate DC Studios currently has, Green Arrow’s debut could be several years away, potentially not until 2030 or later, depending on how the DCU performs in the coming years.
What Lies Ahead for Green Arrow and the DCU
James Gunn’s openness on Green Arrow’s role—neither confirming nor dismissing his presence—creates an atmosphere of uncertainty but also excitement among fans. This approach could allow the character to be introduced with a fresh creative vision aligned with the evolving DCU. Meanwhile, Stephen Amell’s comments reassure that the character’s future remains promising, even if it involves a new actor and direction.
As the DCU expands, balancing character strengths and narratives will be essential to crafting a cohesive universe where heroes like Green Arrow can shine alongside heavyweights like Superman and Batman. Fans will need to wait for official announcements and new productions to see how and when the Emerald Archer finally takes aim in the DCU.
