Stephen Amell, who originated the role of Oliver Queen in the hit series Arrow, has expressed his willingness to reprise his character in the growing James Gunn DC Universe casting. The actor spoke about this possibility during a fan panel at Motor City Comic Con, engaging with audiences about the legacy of the Arrowverse and his enduring connection to fans.
Amell became a household name through his portrayal of Green Arrow, launching The CW’s interconnected Arrowverse franchise in 2012. Over eight seasons, he played a pivotal role in expanding the DC television universe, before his character’s departure at the end of the series and a brief return in The Flash’s ninth season. Since stepping away from Arrow, Amell has taken on new projects, including roles in Heels and the Suits: LA spinoff, while the Arrowverse itself has concluded and DC film and TV have shifted under new leadership by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Arrowverse Stars Reflect on Their Roles and Future in the DCU
The Motor City Comic Con panel, moderated by Joe Deckelmeier, brought together Amell and David Ramsey, who played John Diggle. Both discussed the prospect of returning not only as their iconic characters—Green Arrow and Diggle—but also the chance of taking on entirely new DC roles, referencing how Jason Momoa evolved from Aquaman to participating in multiple DC properties.
Amell shared candidly that he is open to whatever excites the fanbase, stating,
“down to do anything that makes the fans happy,”
and elaborated on what makes playing Green Arrow so rewarding for him:
“Stephen Amell: I love playing the Green Arrow, I love playing Oliver Queen. But I think, more than that, I like how it makes people feel when I come to these conventions, or just when I’m walking around on a daily basis. Not a day goes by that someone doesn’t talk to me about Arrow, the Green Arrow, Oliver Queen. But they always then relate it back to their experience with the series, how it made them feel, whether they bonded with a sibling, or a parent, or a friend with the series.”
David Ramsey, who also made brief appearances as Diggle in The Flash and Superman & Lois, joked that though he never seriously considered which DC character he’d want to play next, he admitted a fondness for the iconic villain Darkseid. Both actors were asked if they would recast their iconic roles should they not return, with Amell humorously replying, “No, thank you!” and Ramsey agreeing in good spirits.
Fan Support for Returning Arrowverse Actors
Although James Gunn is widely expected to refresh the DCU’s cast, fans continue to campaign for certain stars from the Arrowverse to reprise their roles. Grant Gustin, who portrayed Barry Allen/The Flash, is a recurrent name, with supporters eager to see him continue as the DCU’s speedster. Gustin himself has previously said he is open to returning if the opportunity presents, though as of early 2024, he had not had discussions with James Gunn, DC Studios’ co-CEO.
Matt Ryan is another popular choice among viewers, known for bringing John Constantine to life across various series—beginning with his own NBC show before joining the Arrowverse lineup. His role was central in expanding the multiverse, making crossovers like Tom Ellis’s Lucifer appearing in Crisis on Infinite Earths possible.
The Arrowverse, created by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim, Andrew Kreisberg, Phil Klemmer, and Geoff Johns, and starring actors such as Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, and Melissa Benoist, remains the longest-running live-action DC universe, providing years’ worth of crossover events and tightly interconnected narratives. Its influence on shaping superhero TV storytelling on The CW is well acknowledged even as attention turns to the next generation of DC adaptations.
Legacy of the Arrowverse and Path Forward for DC
While Gunn and producer Peter Safran are working to reinvent DC’s film and TV presence, fan discussions often reference the best parts of the Arrowverse as points of inspiration for the evolving universe. In Gunn’s softly rebooted DC Universe, well-known faces like Nathan Fillion—who played TDK in The Suicide Squad and will become Guy Gardner/Green Lantern—demonstrate how the franchise continues to bridge actors across distinct roles, and Michael Rooker shifts between performances as Savant, Red St. Wild in Peacemaker season 2, and Sam Fitzgibbon in Creature Commandos.
Beyond the Arrowverse, fan casting wish-lists frequently include actors from legacy DC properties. For example, Tom Welling, well remembered as Clark Kent in Smallville, and Grace Caroline Currey from Shazam!, are regularly mentioned as possible fits for upcoming DCU roles. This open approach has encouraged speculation that more familiar faces could return—either in their original roles or as entirely new characters.
Potential Avenues for Green Arrow and Diggle’s DCU Return
Whether Amell’s Green Arrow and Ramsey’s Diggle return in the DCU will likely depend on if and when James Gunn decides that their story fits within new projects. With a variety of announced and rumored projects in early development, such as a Jimmy Olsen-led Superman spinoff series set at The Daily Planet, there are ample opportunities for these heroes to be subtly introduced—via Easter eggs or engaging cameos.
Amell’s passion for the franchise and the impact of his portrayal have left a lasting impression on both the superhero genre and DC’s television legacy. Meanwhile, Ramsey’s flexibility as an actor and his willingness to experiment with different roles, including villains such as Darkseid, showcase how the Arrowverse talent pool remains relevant to the future of the property.
The Enduring Influence of DC’s Expanding Universe
While DC Comics began as National Allied Publications founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935, the franchise has since grown into a cornerstone of comic book entertainment with thousands of comics, films, series, and games. Its latest cinematic phase began in 2013 with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman, followed by a string of films featuring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Amy Adams, and more. This era of heroes continues to evolve under Gunn, whose stewardship promises new creative directions.
As the James Gunn DC Universe casting process broadens, it remains to be seen which Arrowverse alumni or legacy actors may officially return or be reimagined in this fresh continuity. The willingness of stars like Stephen Amell and David Ramsey to reengage with their beloved characters keeps the possibility alive, energized by the enthusiastic support of fans eager to see familiar faces in new DCU chapters.
The strong emotional connections fans formed with the Arrowverse, often bonding with family, friends, or siblings over the series, ensure that its legacy will continue to influence DC adaptations for years to come. Whether as Oliver Queen, Green Arrow, John Diggle, or in brand-new roles, the actors at the heart of the Arrowverse are poised to remain key figures in the ever-changing tapestry of DC storytelling.
