James Gunn is well known for weaving comic book references into his DC projects. In fact, he often fills his stories with Easter eggs for fans. From there, projects like The Suicide Squad, Peacemaker Season 1, and Superman showcase characters that nod to the wider DC Universe (DCU). Most recently, he addressed whether the fan-favorite hero Green Arrow is canon in the DCU.
Is Green Arrow Canon in the DCU?
In the Peacemaker Season 1 finale, John Economos (Steve Agee) and Christopher Smith/Peacemaker (John Cena) jokingly mention a fellow hero and his eccentricities. As a result, this sparked plenty of fan speculation. Later on, when asked on the Peacemaker Podcast about the character’s official status, Gunn replied:
“Is Green Arrow canon? I don’t know. I’m not willing to say it. We don’t really know. We don’t have Green Arrow as part of our system right now. So, maybe Green Arrow exists, maybe he doesn’t. So that’s a maybe.”
Gunn and DC Studios co-chair Peter Safran have been selective about which characters they confirm as canon for the DCU. Even some of Gunn’s earlier projects, created before the official DCU slate, are not fully integrated into the first saga, Gods and Monsters.
Green Arrow’s Future in the DCU
Although the hero’s status remains uncertain, the DCU continues to grow with exciting new projects. For example, upcoming releases include HBO’s Lanterns, the film Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and the horror-inspired Clayface, all scheduled for release next year. At the same time, Gunn is also working on the next Superman installment, as well as new versions of Wonder Woman and Batman.
Additionally, Stephen Amell’s popular portrayal of Green Arrow in the CW’s Arrow could influence his return to live action. Fans eagerly await news. One thing is clear: Gunn and Safran remain committed to building a consistent and engaging DCU storyline.
For now, the hero’s place in the DCU remains a mystery, but his enduring legacy ensures fans will continue hoping for his return.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.