Stephen Amell, who made a lasting impression as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow on The CW’s Arrow, has shared his openness to stepping back into the character’s shoes for the evolving James Gunn DCU Green Arrow storyline, years after the Arrowverse wrapped up. Amell’s appearance at the Motor City Comic Con’s Arrowverse Heroes panel reignited discussions about fan-favorite actors potentially returning within James Gunn’s newly rebooted DC Universe.
Amell Reflects on His Arrow Legacy and Potential Future
Stephen Amell’s run as Green Arrow began in 2012, spearheading the start of the interconnected Arrowverse, which included expansive crossovers and standout characters across several DC television shows. After eight seasons and a dramatic series conclusion, Amell shifted his attention to projects like the wrestling drama Heels and a Suits: LA spinoff. With the Arrowverse’s final chapter written, the DC franchise shifted into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s hands, launching a fresh continuity under the DCU banner.
During his panel conversation at Motor City Comic Con, Amell addressed the idea of returning to the James Gunn DCU Green Arrow role. The conversation, moderated by Joe Deckelmeier, included fellow Arrowverse veteran David Ramsey. Amell admitted that he had no specific details about a potential DCU comeback, but reinforced his appreciation for the character and the dedicated fan base:
“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.” – Stephen Amell, Actor
Echoing his previous comments, Amell emphasized that he would be
“down to do anything that makes the fans happy,”
underscoring the strong connection between the actor, the character, and the Arrowverse audience.
David Ramsey and Other Arrowverse Stars Consider a Comeback
David Ramsey, who portrayed John Diggle on Arrow and appeared in The Flash season 9 and Superman & Lois, did not directly commit to returning as Diggle in the DCU but entertained the idea of exploring other characters. He jokingly expressed interest in one of DC’s major villains, saying he would love to portray Darkseid should the opportunity arise.
The panel discussion also touched on who might inherit the roles of Oliver Queen and John Diggle if the original actors step aside in the new DCU. Amell declined, replying, “No, thank you!” when asked about casting a successor, with Ramsey playfully agreeing.
Fandom Hopes and DCU Casting Speculation
While there is broad support for James Gunn to give the DCU a clean slate, a segment of the audience remains vocal in wanting certain Arrowverse favorites to reprise their iconic characters. Grant Gustin, who became synonymous with Barry Allen/The Flash, has expressed a willingness to participate in Gunn’s DCU if approached, although he stated in early 2024 that he had not received any direct outreach from DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn.
Matt Ryan’s portrayal of John Constantine is another point of interest among fans, especially considering Ryan played the character across different DC television continuities, from his solo NBC show to being integrated into the Arrowverse. Thanks to Constantine’s comic book connections, crossover events like Crisis on Infinite Earths brought together characters from disparate DC universes, including Tom Ellis’ Lucifer.
Names beyond the Arrowverse, such as Tom Welling from Smallville and Grace Caroline Currey from Shazam!, continue to surface in fancast lists for future DCU projects. This speculation remains lively in the fandom as the James Gunn DCU Green Arrow storyline and other character possibilities evolve.
James Gunn’s Approach to Casting and Returning Actors
James Gunn has shown interest in recasting familiar faces for new roles within the DCU. Nathan Fillion transitioned from playing TDK in The Suicide Squad to taking on Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, while Michael Rooker switched from his role as Savant in the 2021 film to Red St. Wild in Peacemaker’s upcoming season and Sam Fitzgibbon in Creature Commandos. These examples support the idea that previous DC actors may have opportunities to return, albeit in reimagined capacities.
This open-door approach maintains interest and hope for Arrowverse fans that Stephen Amell, David Ramsey, and potentially others could join the James Gunn DCU Green Arrow arc or appear in additional storylines yet to be announced.
Projects in Development Could Pave the Way
The decision to bring back Green Arrow and Diggle—or introduce them anew—rests with James Gunn and the creative architects of the DCU reboot. Among the pipeline projects rumored or in development is a Jimmy Olsen Superman spinoff series, where characters like Oliver Queen might get referenced or featured directly through The Daily Planet’s reporting, introducing new Easter eggs or plot threads for seasoned fans.
With an ever-growing roster of DC characters and shows, the DC Universe endeavors to balance legacy and innovation as it competes with other franchises, such as Marvel, for cultural prominence. The focus on actor-driven returns adds an emotional anchor to the franchise’s evolving narrative strategy.
The Legacy of Arrowverse and Its Influence
The Arrowverse remains the longest-running live-action DC universe, a sprawling shared world that began with Arrow in 2012 and extended to shows like The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman. Its ability to connect diverse characters and stories through crossovers and parallel universes left a significant mark on comic book television storytelling.
Arrow’s cast, including key figures like Stephen Amell and David Ramsey, is consistently celebrated by fans at conventions and online discussions. The sense of community and personal impact mentioned by Amell reflects the lasting influence these actors and characters have had on viewers, who often recount how these stories helped them bond with family and friends.
James Gunn’s Soft Reboot: Next Steps for DCU
Since assuming control, James Gunn and Peter Safran have steered the DC brand into a soft reboot, aiming to refresh its film and television output following mixed reviews from earlier cinematic phases. The DCU is poised to continue blending established figures with new talent and fresh takes on beloved superheroes, like those introduced in Man of Steel and followed through films such as Batman v Superman, Aquaman, Shazam!, and the upcoming Superman and The Brave and the Bold.
As the James Gunn DCU Green Arrow storyline and other character arcs develop, all eyes remain on how the creative team chooses to honor past iterations while building a new, interlinked world for both loyal and new fans. The possibility of significant Arrowverse actors returning, even in new forms, exemplifies the franchise’s ongoing dialogue between legacy and innovation.
Looking forward, potential appearances by Amell, Ramsey, and others may depend on upcoming DCU plotlines and fan demand. Meanwhile, their continuing engagement with the fan community at events like Motor City Comic Con keeps hope alive for those eager to see their favorite heroes return, whether through Easter egg cameos, new adaptations, or direct reboots as the DCU evolves.
