TVLine has just reported on what characters could be featured in the upcoming Arrow/The Flash spin-off. The reveal comes from casting information and the producers used the phenomenal power of common sense to use vague titles like they were building their avatars in a fantasy MMO.
What is widely known so far is that this second Arrow spin-off will feature a wider roster of heroes including characters from both Arrow and The Flash as one unit. Of course Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer/The Atom is bound to be a prominent character, but so will Caity Lotz as Sara Lance/The Canary if rumors are to be believed. Everything about this spin-off brings up big questions we hope are answered soon.
But this new information reveals three more as-of-yet unidentified titans of justice. (Sorry, I haven’t had my coffee yet, can’t think of anything else.)
From TVLine:
Rounding out the ensemble, TVLine has learned, are the following “mystery” characters — though we’ve put forth out best theories on the familiar heroes/foes being cast. (With reporting by Michael Maloney)
“THE TRAVELER” | Described as a “Han Solo-esque rogue who gets by with his charm, this hero hails from the future, and has journeyed back in time on a secret mission. His razor-sharp wit hides the pain of a man who has lived through serious conflict. He also harbors many secrets, always leaving both his teammates and the audience unsure of his true allegiances.
“FEMALE WARRIOR” | This twentysomething Latina is pretty but unassuming, book smart and socially awkward by day. But by night, when she hears the cry of battle, her fury is ignited and she becomes a fierce warrior — so much so, that sometimes she can become a threat to others.
“MYSTERY HERO” | An African-American male in his twenties will fill the role of a regular, street smart guy who unexpectedly gains powers, and then, as part of the team, regularly quips about the insanity of the situations.
I’m going to go right for what we’re already thinking: Kudos to the producers for utilizing superheroes of color. Black and Latina superheroes on mainstream TV would be huge and thinking about it brings a smile to my face. Although movies like Marvel’s Black Panther are in the works, it will still be awhile before they’re here (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is debatable). DC has the chance to feature diversity sooner on TV front and center and they’re smart to capitalize on it.
Although I love Routh’s portrayal of Ray Palmer, it kind of bums me out that Ryan Choi wasn’t used as the Atom. It would have been an amazing step forward for both Arrow and mainstream television — the only American superhero show to feature diversity regularly has been Power Rangers and their contributions have been widely ignored — but I feel like they misstepped in making another white dude a hero.
One of the weirdest, almost unintentionally backhanded compliments I give The Walking Dead is for its amazingly diverse cast. I say backhanded because it took the world to straight-up end for people to band together. I also praise Scandal for the same reason (among others), but that’s not a very popular show amongst geeks.
Elsewhere, of course there is rampant speculation over who these heroes could be. Other blogs are throwing around names like Hawkgirl, Fury, Black Lightning, Rip Hunter, Tarantula, Booster Gold and Static around, but I think I’ll leave that speculation up to you.
Yet another popular rumor going around is the title, which I hope is revealed soon so I can stop typing “new Arrow/The Flash” spin-off. Brave & the Bold was thrown around by other outlets when the news first hit, but nothing has been confirmed.
What do you think? Let us know who you think these characters could be, and also who you’d rather want if these guys don’t quite cut it for you. (Please don’t say Batman.)