7 Arrowverse Stars Who Deserve to Come Back in the DCU

When James Gunn and Peter Safran took control of DC Studios, they started over with the cinematic universe, but smartly kept some actors who were already perfect for their roles. John Cena, for example, will continue playing Peacemaker, bringing his team with him, and Viola Davis will reprise her role as Amanda Waller, with a new show planned. Xolo Maridueña’s Blue Beetle will also return in a cartoon, connecting the previous movie to the new universe. Because the DC Universe is still being built, and this approach has already proven successful, actors from the former Arrowverse might also join the new lineup.

I first discovered the magic of the Arrowverse back in 2012 with Arrow, and I was immediately hooked! It grew into this incredible universe across The CW, adding The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and Black Lightning. What really blew my mind was the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover – it felt like they brought together everything DC had ever done on screen! Over 700 episodes, they created so many memorable characters, and a lot of the actors truly became those heroes and villains. It wasn’t always perfect, but for me, many of those performances are the definitive versions of these iconic DC characters. Now, with Gunn and Safran taking the reins, it’s exciting to think they might draw from the Arrowverse’s talent pool – and honestly, with everything that show built, it’s arguably the strongest group of actors and characters DC has ever seen on television.

7) David Harewood as J’on J’onzz / Martian Manhunter

David Harewood brilliantly portrayed J’onn J’onzz, also known as the Martian Manhunter, throughout all six seasons of Supergirl. He played him as a quiet, grieving refugee who dedicated himself to protecting Earth after losing his entire race. Martian Manhunter has been a key character in DC Comics since 1955, a vital part of the Justice League, and a hero known for his shape-shifting and telepathic abilities – making him essential to any DC cinematic universe. James Gunn’s Superman film already hinted at Martian Manhunter’s existence and featured other heroes alongside Superman (David Corenswet). Now, with Man of Tomorrow planned as a large-scale DCU crossover event, it seems like the perfect time to officially introduce the Martian Manhunter. Harewood has expressed his willingness to reprise the role, and considering his excellent performance over six seasons, it makes a lot of sense to bring him back.

6) Matt Ryan as John Constantine

Matt Ryan truly embodied John Constantine, playing him in the brief NBC series, various Arrowverse appearances, and multiple DC animated movies. He created such a definitive portrayal that he’s become the character many now associate with the working-class magician. Originally created by Alan Moore in Swamp Thing, Constantine is a cynical, chain-smoking hero who’s as skilled at tricking supernatural beings as he is knowledgeable about the dark arts. While DC Studios hasn’t yet focused on its supernatural elements, a Swamp Thing film is in development with James Mangold, and a set piece from Zatanna’s world was seen during filming for Clayface. This suggests the darker side of the DC Universe will be explored soon, and Constantine is the perfect character to lead the way.

5) Caity Lotz as Sara Lance / White Canary

Caity Lotz first became known as Sara Lance on the show Arrow starting in its second season, playing a character who was thought to be dead after training with the League of Assassins. She then went on to star as the captain of a team of quirky heroes on Legends of Tomorrow for seven seasons. While her character, White Canary, isn’t as famous in the comics as some other DC heroes, Lotz developed her into a strong and dependable leader within the Arrowverse – a skilled fighter who’s also quick with a joke. As Sara Lance, Lotz’s character worked well in both grounded, realistic storylines and larger, more fantastical adventures, which is the kind of approach DC Studios is now using for its movies.

4) Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer / The Atom

I was a big fan of Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer in the Arrowverse! He played this brilliant scientist and inventor who became the hero the Atom, and it was so cool to watch his journey. He first showed up on Arrow and then became a main character on Legends of Tomorrow, with a final appearance on The Flash in 2022. What really blew me away was seeing him play both the Atom and Superman in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover – he originally played Superman back in 2006’s Superman Returns! The Atom’s always been a key member of the Justice League in the comics, and Routh really brought a genuine, heartfelt quality to the character that felt different from some of the other, more hardened heroes in that universe. While DC Studios hasn’t said anything about the Atom’s future, I think Routh would be amazing if they ever brought Ray Palmer back – he clearly has the skills and the charisma to pull it off.

3) Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen / Green Arrow

Stephen Amell starred as Oliver Queen in all eight seasons of Arrow, which ran for 170 episodes on The CW from 2012 to 2020. The show was incredibly influential, creating the basis for the entire Arrowverse, and many fans consider Amell’s portrayal of Green Arrow the best yet. While the first season of Peacemaker included a joke referencing the hero, James Gunn, speaking on the show’s podcast in 2025, remained coy about whether Green Arrow is officially part of the new DC Universe, stating they currently don’t have plans for the character. However, with each new DCU project introducing more vigilantes, it seems likely Green Arrow will appear eventually. Amell is a well-known actor, and his extensive experience with the role makes him well-suited to bring Oliver Queen to the big screen and integrate him into a shared superhero universe.

2) Tom Cavanagh as Eobard Thawne / Reverse-Flash

For nine seasons of The Flash, Tom Cavanagh brilliantly played Eobard Thawne, also known as the Reverse-Flash, often alongside different versions of Harrison Wells and the powerful being Pariah. Many fans consider his first season performance – where Thawne killed Barry Allen’s mother and then spent years pretending to be Barry’s mentor while secretly causing all his problems – to be the show’s best. Because the Reverse-Flash doesn’t follow a normal timeline and can appear at any point in history, he’s a character easily adapted into new storylines. Like in the comics, where Reverse-Flash is dedicated to making Barry Allen’s life miserable, Cavanagh perfectly captured this villainous drive. Beyond acting, Cavanagh also directed multiple episodes of The Flash, giving him a strong understanding of how to tell a compelling superhero story.

1) Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash

For almost ten years, Grant Gustin’s portrayal of Barry Allen, the Flash, was the heart of the Arrowverse, and he spent more time playing the character than any other actor in that universe. He first appeared as the Flash in a couple of episodes of Arrow’s second season, and the positive response led to The Flash becoming The CW’s highest-rated premiere ever, running for an impressive 184 episodes. While not the first to play the Flash in live-action, Gustin truly made the role his own, delivering what many consider the definitive version of Barry Allen. Recently, at a 2024 Fan Expo, he stated he’d gladly reprise the role if asked by DCU’s James Gunn. Gunn has confirmed the Flash will appear in the DCU, but not for at least two years, meaning the part is still open. Given Gustin’s proven success and extensive experience as the character, it would be smart for the DCU to consider him for the role.

2026-05-22 22:15