Arrowverse’s Cancelled Green Lantern Story Explained By David Ramsey

Dan Lalonde
Jul 7
2 min read

Updated: Jul 8

Which was your favorite show in the Arrowverse? Arrow? The Flash? Supergirl? Legends Of Tomorrow? Batwoman? Black Lightning?

David Ramsey, best known as John Diggle on the Arrowv, has finally addressed the long-teased yet ultimately scrapped Green Lantern storyline. Speaking at FAN EXPO Denver, Ramsey confirmed that Diggle’s transformation into a Green Lantern was real and deeply planned — but constantly derailed by internal politics at Warner Bros. and DC.

After years of teases, including appearances by Ernie Hudson as Diggle’s father Colonel Stewart (John Stewart's father) and nods like a multiverse Flash asking in Elseworlds crossover, “Where’s your ring?”, fans hoped to see Diggle wield the power ring. However, by the time The Flash season 8 aired, the arc was abruptly dropped, with Diggle rejecting the box meant to transform him.

Ramsey explained that behind the scenes, there were continual shifts in leadership and conflicting decisions. “There were a lot of yeses and nos,” he said, citing changes in executives and plans for a Green Lantern movie and series that never solidified.

Ultimately, Ramsey acknowledged that the storyline’s fate was out of his control and driven by decisions “way above my head.” While disappointed, he expressed optimism for James Gunn’s rebooted Lanterns series in the new DCU.

"And so then Mr. James Gunn came, and obviously there's a whole lot happening there, so I'm actually looking forward to that version. I can't wait to see, but the answer to your question is yes, that was a real thing. But there were a lot of politics going on that were way above my head."

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