Stephen Amell Talks Arrow Season 3 at Fan Expo

Stephen Amell has not failed this city! Returning to his beloved city of Toronto for Fan Expo 2014, Stephen Amell aka Oliver Queen aka Arrow, took to the stage to talk about season three of Arrow, Oliver’s many relationships and being a father.

The show started out with Amell discussing the upcoming season and promised that they would not shy away from the damage that has been inflicted on Starling City, not just in season two by super powered criminals but by the season one earthquake as well.

“They’re going to acknowledge that terrible things have happened to Starling two May’s in a row,” he said.

The season will explore how these tragedies have affected the city and its people, notably new character Ray Palmer, aka The Atom.

“A focal point for Ray Palmer’s character will be the fact that no one wants to live in Starling anymore,” said Amell after stumbling over the Atom’s identity and calling him Ray Parker.

Amell seemed most excited about season three’s ability to cross over with new CW superhero show the Flash and said that the eighth episode of each show will make up a two-part crossover event, starting on the Flash and ending on Arrow. He also added jokingly that “it’s going to be called Flash vs. Arrow. Or Arrow vs. Flash, whatever they decide.”

Moderator Morgan Hoffman got to the tough questions we all want to know and asked what Oliver’s relationship with Felicity Smoak will be in the upcoming season, an especially important question after the promotional image of them sharing a kiss was released. But Amell sidestepped the question with frustrating ease and would only say:

“Episode one is a crazy episode. What happens in that preview is the 8th most important thing in that episode.”

No word on what the seven more important things may be.

Amell also discussed how he would not be the only character included in this season’s flashbacks. Though many of the flashbacks will deal with Oliver’s time in Hong Kong, he also said they would be exploring the supporting cast more this season, noting that of the five episodes they’ve already filmed only three have flashbacks with Oliver.

A fan asked what the most difficult stunt he had ever performed on the series was, which Amell said was his first big fight scene from the pilot because of the pressure involved. He knew if the fight didn’t look good the show would not be picked up for series but was also nervous because “I’d never fought onscreen before Arrow.”

Another fan question asked what character he would like to team up with if possible. Amell answered that if he didn’t pick Firestorm he would get in trouble. Firestorm of course is the character being played by Amell’s real life cousin, Robbie Amell, on The Flash.

Moving to more personal territory, a fan asked how much being a father had changed his life. Amell’s daughter is currently ten months old and he said the biggest change was that during season one of Arrow the most important thing in his life was the show, but now the most important thing in his life is his daughter.

In true Dad fashion he even pulled out his phone to play an audio clip of his daughter’s reaction to eating beef for the first time.

If you’re wondering what to look forward in season three though, Amell says John Barrowman and Colton Haynes.

Amell’s a huge fan of John Barrowman who is returning again this season to play Malcolm Merlyn, but was frustrated when he didn’t get a single scene with him in season two. Amell said season three is different because “this year we see each other” and their first meeting is on an epic scale, doing something that involves 275 extras.

Regarding Roy Harper, aka Arsenal, Amell said, “My favorite thing about season three is my relationship with Colton’s character” and went on to describe them as evolving into a big brother/little brother dynamic.

The final question of the day was from a fan who wanted to know if there was anything Oliver hadn’t done yet that Amell would like to see him do.

“I’d like to see Oliver get his own place,” Amell answered, unimpressed that Oliver was a 30 year old man who still technically lived at home.

I guess he doesn’t count those years he spent on the island as leaving the nest.