Arrow star David Ramsey recently spoke about why John Diggle never became Green Lantern in the Arrowverse. Diggle’s storyline appeared to be building toward him becoming Green Lantern. However, the transformation ultimately never happened on screen. Ramsey has now explained the circumstances behind that decision.
David Ramsey on what stopped John Diggle from being Green Lantern
Recently, David Ramsey addressed why John Diggle’s long-anticipated transformation into Green Lantern never happened.
Speaking during ScreenRant’s Arrowverse Heroes panel, Ramsey explained that both he and executive producer Marc Guggenheim pursued the storyline for several years. According to the actor, the team could not move forward because of restrictions surrounding the Green Lantern property. He said, “Yeah, it was, right Marc [Guggenheim]? Marc and I tried for six seasons. Obviously, there is a lot of politics around property as big as Lantern. Of course, it would have been great.”
Ramsey clarified that “it wasn’t for a lack of trying, but the right decision was made.” He also referenced moments such as John Wesley Shipp’s Flash referencing the ring during the Elseworlds crossover as deliberate hints.
The actor also noted that there were major developments happening at that time. He explained, “I think, honestly, personally, there was so much going on at the time that it’s in the hands it should be in now.” his comment seems to reference James Gunn’s new DC Universe, which is moving forward with its own Green Lantern series for HBO. Ramsey continued, “Because I’m not quite sure what would have happened with as much as was going on politically, with the property.”
Ramsey later spoke about Diggle turning down the ring in The Flash Season 8 and said that the final choice was ultimately consistent with Diggle’s character arc. “I think the reason why Diggle didn’t become the Lantern was on point for his character,” he noted.
