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Stephen Amell Talks Building The Justice League In The ARROW Universe, Bringing In Green Lantern, A SUICIDE SQUAD Spin-Off And More

At Fan Expo Canada 2014 (via Comic Book Resources), Arrow star Stephen Amell talked in detail about the CW series’ highly anticipated third season. After giving a rundown of the season’s plot and naming the multiple comic book television shows that will be airing this year, he adds his own suggestion to the list: a Suicide Squad spin-off. “Instead of doing 23 episodes of Arrow, I’d love to do 17. Then, in the middle of the year, we could do six episodes of the Suicide Squad. Then I could go on vacation.” Many fans have been hoping to see the Suicide Squad headline their own series after an impressive episode focused on Task Force X last season. Hopefully, The CW will consider spinning off this group into their own show.

Amell is then inevitably asked about reprising the role of Arrow for the upcoming Justice League movie, even though Geoff Johns recently confirmed that the television shows are separate from the DC Cinematic Universe. The actor explains that joining the two worlds just wouldn’t be convenient, and he discusses the beginning of the Arrowverse’s take on the League with the inclusion of multiple heroes. “We are creating a Justice League on TV for us. I don’t think there is a logistical reality to us participating in the feature side. That being said, I never wanted to have to feel like the show was justified, just because we participated in the movie. I don’t think my character would participate on the cinematic side. What’s that saying? Is it six seasons and a movie? Our show right now has me, Arsenal, Flash. There’s going to be Firestorm and Atom. The Justice League elements of it are very present on our shows [‘Arrow’ and ‘The Flash’] already.” 


Speaking of Firestorm, Ronnie Raymond will be played by Amell’s cousin, Robbie, on The Flash. Stephen talks about knowing the casting ahead of time and the potential of Oliver Queen teaming up with Firestorm. “I had dinner with Greg Berlanti, who created our show and is also the creator of ‘The Flash’ television show. He told me about Robbie and Firestorm about two months before Robbie knew about it. Robbie texts me and goes, ‘I GOT A JOB ON ‘THE FLASH!” All capitals and exclamation marks. I wrote back, ‘I know,’ and then welcomed him to the Justice League of America. Robbie and I, for being in the same business, the only time we’ve ever teamed up is in beer pong. We’ve never actually teamed up on screen together. I think eventually there’s a chance that Oliver Queen and Mr. Firestorm may cross paths.” 



Amell is then asked which DC character he would most like to see on Arrow. Before, he would have said Ra’s al Ghul, but the League of Assassins leader is confirmed to be the Big Bad of Season 3. His next choice? None other than Green Lantern. “Now, boy we’ve referenced Ferris Air a lot. It would be really cool to have Green Lantern. Hopefully, that happens. I have no inside information, unless I do.” Interestingly, Arrow and The Flash are written by some of the same screenwriters who worked on the 2011 Green Lantern film, so they’re certainly familiar with the character. However, the Emerald Knight is expected to appear in the Justice League film, which could keep him from being featured on the small screen. Then again, Flash is reportedly a part of DC’s big screen plans too, and he has his own TV series on top of that. So, we’ll see about this one.

Finally, Amell talks about reuniting with John Barrowman’s Malcolm Merlyn this season. While the two did not share any screentime last season, we’ll definitely see that this year, which isn’t surprising given the fact that Barrowman is a series regular. Amell then teases the scene in Season 3 where Oliver meets Malcolm again. “I’ve never been so fired up as I was to shoot the first scene between Oliver and Malcolm. We had 275 extras there for the scene. Big stuff.” 


For even more from Amell, in which he discusses Arsenal, bringing back the “You have failed this city!” line and more, click the link above. Arrow returns to The CW on October 8th.

Paul Romano

Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WOBAM! Entertainment.