Arrow 'Missing Something' Without Manu Bennett, Says Amell

Midway through its fourth season, Arrow has admittedly lost a step here and there, never quite regaining the heights of its second season battle against Manu Bennett’s Slade Wilson. Stephen Amell surprisingly concurs, admitting at a recent convention that he hopes the character might return, as Arrow has been “missing something” since Season 2.

Take this with a grain of salt for the moment, as Arrow head Amell has a tendency to clarify or adjust statements that garner enough media attention, though the actor behind Oliver Queen attended the Heroes and Villains Fan-Fest in New Jersey this past weekend with a surprising admission about Bennett’s time on the series.

Asked about the current Shannara Chronicles star, Amell lavished praise on Manu Bennett’s Slade Wilson / Deathstroke, believing the DC drama has since lacked for his presence (via ComicBook.com):

Manu is a character, and Manu played a great character. And I really honestly think that Arrow has been missing something since he hasn’t been around, I really do. He was a transformative villain, and I would really love it if Deathstroke could keep being a part of the Arrow universe.

Granted, the first two seasons of Arrow pushed through Slade Wilson’s story rather quickly, teasing his presence in the pilot, introducing the character early into Season 1, and elevating Bennett to regular in Season 2, with central focus in both past and present timelines. The third season briefly returned the character from his prison on Lian Yu, but one wonders how Arrow could sustain Slade for another regular role, should Amell get his wish.

In the meantime, Arrow will return this week with “A.W.O.L.”, trailers of which you can find below. Does Amell have a point about Arrow “missing something” without Manu Bennett’s brand of Deathstroke-ing?

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