‘Arrow’ Season 3 Casts J.R. Ramirez as Wildcat

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Arrow has already introduced several heroes and villains ripped straight from the pages of DC Comics. Season 3 of Arrow alone promises to bring viewers characters like Count Vertigo, Arsenal, The Atom and even League of Assassins leader Ra’s Al Ghul. Now we can add another character to that growing roster of DC icons making their way to the small screen.

 

 

According to Deadline, actor J.R. Ramirez has been cast as Ted Grant (who is better known by his alter-ego as superhero Wildcat) for season 3 of Arrow. Although no casting was previously revealed, executive producer Marc Guggenheim announced at Comic-Con that the character would be joining the series. Ramirez has previously appeared on shows like 90210 and Emily Owens M.D. and can currently be seen on Starz’ new series Power.

On Arrow, Grant will be a former boxer with a mysterious past and will reportedly play an integral role, likely as a recurring character. However, considering that Wildcat is an important member of the Justice Society for America in the comics and a mentor to characters like Black Canary (an established figure on Arrow, it should be noted), it’s looking pretty clear that DC is building to a small-screen superhero team-up that will mirror what the films are doing starting with Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. That development (or least the continuing buildup towards it) would certainly explain the importance in keeping Arrow and The Flash connected via cross-over events.

 

 

J.R. Ramirez

 

 

If Ramirez’s casting is further proof that a small-screen JSA is, in fact, on the way, it would certainly be an ambitious endeavor and an idea that Smallville flirted with over the years (without ever really giving fans the steady flow of team-up episodes they wanted). In fact, pulling off a small-screen superhero team could give DC the chance to best their competitors at Marvel, which is launching its Netflix series starting with Daredevil next year – and building towards a Defenders event miniseries, thereafter.

 

At this point, it’s too early to see how either comic book empire will fare in this regard, but it is clear that Arrow is taking full advantage of the deep well of DC characters. Do you think that Ramirez’s casting is a sign pointing towards a small-screen superhero team? If so, who would you like to see added to the roster next? Sound off with your thoughts below.

 

Arrow season 3 premieres Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at 8pm on The CW.