PaleyFest 2013: The CW’s Arrow [PHOTOS] 

Alright Arrow fans, let’s admit it, Wednesdays just aren’t the same without our weekly dose of Ollie, Diggle and Thea. Unfortunately, I can’t make the show return any faster, but I can give you a few tidbits from this year’s PaleyFest panel to hold you over.

The Panel

Greg Berlanti, Executive Producer
Marc Guggenheim, Executive Producer
Andrew Kreisberg, Executive Producer
Stephen Amell, “Oliver Queen”
Katie Cassidy, “Laurel Lance”
David Ramsey, “John Diggle”
Susanna Thompson, “Moira Queen”
Moderator, Geoff Johns, COO of DC Comics and writer of Arrow “Dead to Rights”

While we didn’t get any top-secret spoilery info, we did get a handful of vague references on what to expect when the show returns.

• Apparently, the big reveal we witnessed in the last new episode will fuel the rest of the season as Tommy and Ollie figure out how to deal with their new dynamic. As Stephen pointed out, every other reveal has been calculated and brought the individual in to the fold, whereas telling Tommy his true identity was a spontaneous act with no intention of making Tommy a 4^th Musketeer. And this weighs on Oliver as he realizes that Tommy’s relationship with Laurel could also put him in jeopardy. We’d like to think Ollie’s oldest friend would stay loyal but as Stephen ventured “He could just roll over in bed and say ‘Oliver is the vigilante’”. In this case, let’s hope Tommy is not about to kiss and tell.

• Oliver and Slade’s relationship will continue to build this season, but will also change as the result of an unexpected third element. The creators called Slade and Oliver a proto Butch & Sundance so you can bet these two will continue to fight side-by-side, which is something Stephen looks forward to. He told us now that Oliver is no longer lying around the cave and whining for food, he’s become a “big sucker for the island”.

• This next tip was especially vague. When asked about future guest stars, creators teased that “a star of a very popular genre show” will soon be appearing in the Arrow-verse. Any guesses?

• And for those who love Ollie’s bow-and-arrow work, there will be two “very cool” archery moments in the third episode back. Even though Stephen doesn’t shoot the actual arrows on the show (only CGI arrows can look THAT perfect), he does have an archery coach and just as with his physical stunts, he takes his training very seriously, even showing off his mock shooting.

• Lastly, for all the fans making the trek to WonderCon, Arrow will be making an appearance this year and Stephen also expressed his excitement about returning to Comic Con this summer…although as Katie Cassidy pointed out, he’ll no longer be able to walk the streets unnoticed. So if you see a hooded vigilante wandering the convention hall this year, be sure to take a second look, it might just be the real thing.

PHOTOS

Find more Arrow PaleyFest 2013 panel photos over at our Facebook page. Watch the whole panel courtesy of Hulu.com over at PaleyCenter.org.

Arrow returns with new episodes Wednesday, March 20 @ 8/7c.