‘Arrow’: Deathstroke’s Return Still Possible

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Ben Affleck singlehandedly brought the internet to its knees with the release of a very cryptic video. In the clip, fans get a tease of the DCEU’s Deathstroke on what’s seemingly the Justice League set. Shortly thereafter a rumor surfaced, claiming the Terminator would be the main villain in Batman’s solo. As such, fans of the Arrowverse are now more certain than ever Manu Bennett’s Deathstroke won’t return. These thoughts are further heightened by Willa Holland’s recent statement that Arrow’s Suicide Squad plans were thwarted by WB.

However, Stephen Amell says all hope isn’t lost. Talking to fans at Salt Lake City Comic-Con (via Heroic Hollywood), the actor noted the following:

“That [question is] actually something that people bring up on a regular basis… that DC has told us you can’t have or you must get rid of [this character]. That’s not how that works. Diane Nelson and Geoff Johns – the people at Warner Bros. on the feature side, the people at Warner Bros. on the television side – are all in the business of making the best products for fans. Just because there may or may not be a Deathstroke in the DC Extended Universe doesn’t mean Manu Bennett can’t exist on our show.”

This sounds great, but it doesn’t mesh with showrunner Marc Guggenheim’s statement on the matter. When asked if Slade Wilson would come back, he responded: “The character of Slade Wilson is currently tied up in another DC project.” This other “DC project” must be in reference to Justice League and/or the Batman solo.

It’s worth noting Guggenheim’s quote is from February of this year, prior to Geoff Johns’ DC Films promotion. Since Johns is helping head the DCEU, and President of DC Entertainment, the assumption is the TV shows will get more freedom. Although, it seems pretty evident already. Especially since Superman was added to the Supergirl cast in June; though, Batman is still off limits. However, if it’s fine to have two Scarlett Speedsters and two Men of Steel, surely another live-action version of Deathstroke won’t be an issue.

If it isn’t a problem, what other characters can we expect to get double doses of? Many remain anxious to see Diggle become John Stewart’s Green Lantern. With teases of The Flash’s Flashpoint affecting his character the most on Arrow, perhaps hope is still alive.

Arrow Season 5 premieres Wednesday, October 5.

Image: The CW