I know it's early, but...
PRELIMINARY SUMMARY OF SEASON 5 SPOILERS:
S5 Synopsis
-- The CW's S5 synopsis: “After a violent shipwreck, billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) was missing and presumed dead for five years before being discovered alive on a remote island in the North China Sea. He returned home to Star City, bent on righting the wrongs done by his family and fighting injustice. As the Green Arrow, he protects his city with the help of former soldier John Diggle (David Ramsey), computer-science expert Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards), his vigilante-trained sister Thea Queen (Willa Holland), former police captain Quentin Lance (Paul Blackthorne), and brilliant inventor Curtis Holt (Echo Kellum). But sinister players with a connection to Oliver’s past will push the team to its breaking point, threatening everything Oliver’s worked for and his legacy as the Green Arrow." (EW article dated May 19, 2016, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
S5 Pre-Production and Production Start
-- MG (on Feb. 6, 2016): "We’ve reached the point in the season where, yes, we organically start talking about ideas for the next season. We’ve got some interesting ones for 5!" (MG tumblr post, page 31 of Spoilers thread, and page 360 of Social Media thread)
-- On Apr. 8, 2016, the Arrow writers were already discussing pitches for S5. (ArrowWritersRoom tweet, page 360 of Social Media thread)
-- Per DR (in May 2016 interview), the actors return for S5 on July 5, 2016. (Video of The Lowdown with Diana Madison, page 408 of Social Media thread)
-- Per SpoilerTV, S5 production start date is July 13, 2016. (SpoilerTV article, page 408 of Social Media thread)
-- Per YVRShoots, Arrow S5 has filming dates in Vancouver from July 13, 2016 - April 20, 2017. (YVRShoots tweet, page 383 of Social Media thread)
General S5 Spoilers
-- Per WM, the S4 finale title, "Schism" (423) hinted at "the ultimate setup" to what the show will explore in S5, particularly with Oliver. (TV Guide article, page 35 of Spoilers thread)
-- Per WM, the S4 finale is "a good clue" for what Season 5 is about. WM: "We talked about Season 4 as a soft reboot and I think Season 5 will see some big changes on the show." (TV Guide article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- SA: “There’s nothing we really do in the [season 4] finale that introduces a big bad for next year. We do throw a little hook in there that will very much excite people for season 5, but it does not have to do with the big bad.” (EW article, page 38 of Spoilers thread)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 15, 2016), SA said that the nukes will play a part in S5. (Morrigan2575 tweet, page 1050 of Spoiler Discussion thread)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 15, 2016), SA: "So maybe the theme for season 5 can be 'everything that's old is new again.' ... Some old school stupid training sequences. Shirtless for no reason. Kill a bunch of guys... Maybe some greasepaint." (Video of SA panel at COH2, page 406 of Social Media thread)
-- At CW Upfronts (on May 19, 2016): On whether he wants the supernatural element to continue in season 5, SA: "I think it was a good element for season four. I think that ultimately, we are always going to be at our best when we do what we do best... which is, you know, we’re the superpowerless superhero show. Right? And we haven’t been for a couple of years now for a variety of reasons, all of which are important and have helped build the universe on The CW. But at the same time, I do think we’re at our best when we are doing what we do best." (ComicBook.com article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- At CW Upfronts (on May 19, 2016): SA: “I’ve heard that our big bad, our villain, is something that you can really only do once you’re in the fifth, sixth or seventh season of a TV show. ... “As far as I know, they don’t have superpowers. I’ll tell you that.” (Variety article, page 37 of Spoilers thread and page 167 of Starling City Times thread)
-- Per WM, we'll find out in S5 what Laurel said to Oliver in 418 right before she died. (TVLine article, page 35 of Spoilers thread, Variety article, page 998 of Spoiler Discussion thread, and Collider article, page 149 of Starling City Times thread)
-- At CW Upfronts (on May 19, 2016): SA: “‘Supergirl’ is coming, but we don’t have to introduce a new show next year. In Season 2, it was the introduction of ‘The Flash’ and crossovers there, and last year there was a lot with ‘Legends of Tomorrow,’ and we don’t have to do that this year because ‘Supergirl’ is already established... So I would like to focus on a lot of the stuff that I think ‘Arrow’ does very well.” (Variety article, page 37 of Spoilers thread and page 167 of Starling City Times thread)
S5 Flashbacks
-- Per WM on Jan. 20, 2016, they have not really begun to talk about plans for S5 or beyond, she thinks they are likely to get a 5th season, and the flashbacks could potentially end at S5. (ComicBook article, page 120 of Starling City Times thread)
-- Per SA, the show was "built to be five years long" but he doesn't think it'll end after season 5. However, they built in a "five-year story." They still have so much to get done in the flashbacks because the flashbacks were built to be only five years. (SA panel from Dallas ComicCon 2016, page 318 off Social Media thread)
-- On S5 flashbacks, WM: “We know what we’re working up to ... The season will be easier to break because we have an endpoint, and we work backwards from there.” Also, WM: "I don’t want to tip too much ... but it’s a very good possibility that we’ll finally find out how Oliver got that Bratva tattoo and how he learned to speak Russian.” (TVLine article, page 35 of Spoilers thread)
-- Brian Ford Sullivan (after 422): "Taiana name dropping someone called 'Kovar.' Read into that what you will. #ArrowSeason5." (BFS tweet on May 18, 2016, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- As for a trip to Russia in his Season 5 flashback future, SA: "I would watch the [season 4] finale!" (ComicBook article dated May 25, 2016, page 38 of Spoilers thread)
-- At MCM London Comic Con (on May 28, 2016), on the future of the show after the 5-year flashbacks end, WH: "We're probably not going anywhere...our show is like a onion, every season you open up another layer. ... From your guy's response, as well as the networks response to our show and the creation of all the others that are interlocked into another it's kinda going to be a never ending cycle for awhile. I don't think anything is going to happen." (Mirror.co.uk article, page 38 of Spoilers thread)
Team Arrow
-- Per WM, approaching S4 finale “was less about plot and more about unanswered questions about character stuff. We’re going to take the team to a pretty dark place [so] it’s much more about, ‘Where are we going to pick these guys up?’ [in the fall]. The character arcs that we built this season, we knew exactly where we wanted every character to end, and it was in a very sort of morally grey place. So they’re asking themselves some pretty profound questions.” (TVLine article, page 35 of Spoilers thread)
-- SA: “There’s always possibly going be more new members of Team Arrow, but I don’t know yet... I know obviously Echo Kellum is joining us as a series regular, so we’ll see if he can ingratiate himself into the team." (EW article on May 27, 2016, page 38 of Spoilers thread)
-- On how 423 paved the way for S5, DR: "What doesn't kill you only makes you stronger. That's the big theme. You are going to see a team that's more fractured than it ever has been. The elements that remain of that team, ultimately, in Season 5, will be the strongest of the strong. I'm excited, because you are going to see a team stronger than it has been." (ComicBookResources article, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
-- At MCM London Comic Con (on May 28, 2016), on how S4 ended and what this means going forward, WH: "[When Oliver left] the team had to find their own place in the team. ... Now they need to find their own place in their own lives. ... It's not like we're not going to be back together. ... Probably sooner than you think." (Mirror.co.uk article, page 38 of Spoilers thread)
Oliver & Felicity (Olicity)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 15, 2016), SA "I think that Emily - Oliver & Felicity's relationship is, um - it's in a very mature place - that's where we leave it. And I think there's a little bit of certainty towards the end of the season as to what the future's going to hold for them... But I don't know if we have any firm resolution. We certainly don't have the type of firm resolution that we had in season 3 where they were literally driving off into the sunset. We certainly don't have that this year." (Video of SA panel at COH2, page 406 of Social Media thread)
Oliver Queen AKA Green Arrow
-- At HVFF-Chicago (on Mar. 12, 2016), fan asked if we're going to see Oliver going back towards the darkness now that he's lost both Felicity and his son (sent him away). SA: "I think that if we're talking about a five-year journey, we're talking about Oliver being very, very, you know, lethal and dark in the first season and then, you know, building towards, you know - that didn't work. And the method where he just, you know, 'I'm not going to kill anyone regardless, it doesn't matter, I've got to strive for something different', that doesn't seem to have worked either. So maybe in Season 5, we can see the medley of the two, because, um, you know, he has people in his life that, um, in the latter parts of this season, really push him towards a place he really didn't think they'd be comfortable with him going. And we see some of his, um, some of his teammates and friends going to places where he never expected that they would. So I think we're going to see, hopefully, more of the finished product of Oliver in Season 5 that he can use going forward. The two extremes don't seem to work." (Video of SA solo panel at HVFF-Chicago 2016, page 343 of Social Media thread)
-- At HVFF-Chicago (on Mar. 12, 2016), SA said that he would like a new bow and that he actually needs a new bow. Then he said: "I think that there would be a very good reason in Season 5 to go back to a very particular type of bow. And you'll have to wait, you'll have to wait and see how that will unfold." (Video of SA solo panel at HVFF-Chicago 2016, page 343 of Social Media thread)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 14, 2016), SA said that there might be a costume change in S5. (Lauren Winter @lozwinter tweet, page 388 of Social Media thread)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 15, 2016), SA said that there is a theme we’ll see at the end of S4 leading into next year’s overarching theme for Oliver that he was adamant about wanting for Oliver. (Soulfire post, page 404 of Social Media thread)
-- At CW Upfronts (on May 19, 2016): On whether there's a relationship or aspect of Oliver that he hasn't gotten to explore yet that he's hoping to explore in season 5, SA: "The public visage and version of Oliver Queen within Star City is something that we really haven't touched on. And I think that something happens in the finale that will help change that." (ComicBook.com article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- At CW Upfronts (on May 19, 2016): On next season, playing that flashback Oliver that came right into season 1, SA: "I mean, that'll be fun, man.... Maybe he'll lie just in complete juxtaposition to the Oliver that we see in season 5 in the present day. Or maybe they'll start to line up together again. You never know. Things change." (ComicBook.com article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
Felicity Smoak AKA Overwatch
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 15, 2016), EBR said that Felicity was removed as CEO but still owns Palmer Tech, she doesn't know when Smoak Tech happens, and she assumes that more Palmer Tech will be coming in S5. (Evil Nicole@morrigan2575 tweet, page 5 of Monument Point thread)
John Diggle AKA Spartan
-- We won't see how Diggle will come back from shooting Andy and lying to Lyla until S5. (MIrror.co.uk article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- At Wizard World Minneapolis (on May 7, 2016), DR: "oh by the way, we'll have a new helmet, coming next season. It'll be a Cisco creation... That'll be a storypoint next season." (Video of DR panel at Wizard World Minneapolis 2016, page 398 of Social Media thread)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 13, 2016), DR said that Diggle's new helmet has an open visor in the front so that you can see his face. (Morrigan2575 post, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- DR said that Diggle will have a new helmet next season. (Extra Facebook Q&A with DR, page 406 of Social Media hread, and Video of DR on The Lowdown with Diana Madison, page 408 of Social Media thread)
Quentin Lance
-- On Quentin's relationship with original Team Arrow, PB: "Each year, the dynamics change. This is probably going to have much to do with setting up the next season’s dynamic between the characters. From season to season, there’s always a little subtle shift in the relationships between everybody. This is going to create a whole new world next season, given that everybody is now in a world without Laurel. It’s a game-changer, obviously, and it’s a relationship-changer, for sure." (Collider article, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
-- On Quentin's relationship with Oliver, PB: "The shift in the relationship between Lance and Oliver is great. There’s an element of father figure there, but only to a degree because Oliver knows the world and Lance is just a small part of it. Lance is always going to revere him, in that sense. So, it would be nice to see some development, in that way." (Collider article, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
Donna Smoak
-- CR: “I’ve relished every moment playing Donna since season 3 when I was lucky enough to start being a part of this show but, we have no agreement in place for me to continue further. Things can, obviously, change but as of right now, I have no plans to return for season five."(Emertainment Monthly article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
Curtis Holt
-- Per TVLine (on Apr. 4, 2016), EK has been promoted to series regular for S5. (TVLine article, page 146 of Starling City Times thread)
Roy Harper AKA Arsenal
-- At Justice Squad Convention in Paris (on May 7-8, 2016), per CH, Roy will be returning for a few episodes in S5. (Flora Mineway@Slytherimpala tweet, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
Sara Lance AKA White Canary
-- At Justice Squad Convention in Paris (on May 7-8, 2016), CL: "Yes, hopefully I will be back in the next season of Arrow." (Flora Mineway@Slytherimpala tweet, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
Liza Warner AKA Lady Cop
-- MG: "As for Lady Cop, she’ll be returning next year. (She’d be back this year, but Rutina is doing a pilot.)." (MG tumblr post dated Feb. 6, 2016, page 31 of Spoilers thread)
Venediktov Family
-- Taiana's last name is Venediktov. (ER tweet, page 381 of Social Media thread)
"James"
-- For S5, Arrow is adding the series regular role of “James,” an “irrepressibly charming” contemporary of Oliver’s who is described as “a man on a mission” — out as he is to avenge a tragic, violent loss from his own, years-ago past. The casting call seeks an actor of any ethnicity, in his late-20s to 30s and who comes across as a physical threat. The character is said to “just as easily shake your hand as your best friend or break your neck as your worst enemy — and you never know which one is coming. Either way, he’s more than capable of having a good time as he does it.” (5/2/16 TVLine article, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
-- Per Matt Mitovich, "James" audition scenes are not with Felicity. (MMitovich tweet, page 1034 of Spoiler Discussion thread)
Raven?
-- In response to question of which character from the DC Universe she'd like to see on Arrow, WM: "The other character that I am just a big fan of is Raven from Teen Titans. She’s very dark, very interesting... I’m a huge fan of Teen Titans Go! It might sound strange, but it’s one of my favorite DC shows. I just think Raven is an interesting character who would be worthy of being on Arrow or of having her own series." (Emmys article, page 55 of Hopes and Fears thread)
Sydney Palmer?
-- Per MG, Ray Palmer's brother Sydney is "a potential Arrow character", but "we’ve actually been talking about seeing [Sydney] in Legends Season 2.” Also, Ray and Syd are not twins, but just happen to have “an uncanny similarity,” (TVLine article, page 36 of Spoilers thread)
Flash/LoT/Supergirl/Vixen Crossovers
-- Per CW Pres. Mark Pedowitz (on May 19, 2016), Arrow, Flash, LoT and Supergirl will join up for a giant annual crossover story - "the biggest one ever." (IGN article, page 37 of Spoilers thread)
-- On whether The Flash S2 finale will affect Arrow S5 in any way, SA: "Possibly. I mean, we're dealing with a very interconnected universe. Um, so clearly the events that happened in The Flash finale could affect us in season 5. It does not affect our [season 4] finale though. Our finale is a standalone event." (Video in germery@smoaksqueen tweet, page 38 of Spoilers thread)
-- At City of Heroes 2 (on May 15, 2016), SA said that the nukes will probably be brought up in S3 of Flash and S2 of LoT. (Morrigan2575 tweet, page 1050 of Spoiler Discussion thread)
-- MG: "Future appearances of Vixen will depend on (a) Megalyn’s availability and (b) if we have a compelling story to tell. ..." (MG 02/06/16 tumblr post, page 31 of Spoilers thread)
-- Per MG, Laurel will be appearing in Season 2 of the Vixen animated series, in an episode that takes place before 415. (MG tweet, page 32 of Spoilers thread)
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