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'Arrow' Season 8 introduces Deathstroke 2040 and could bring in more futuristic versions of familiar villains

The futuristic setting could, in theory, allow the show to bring in reimagined versions of familiar heroes and villains, much like what 'Batman Beyond' did for 'Batman: The Animated Series'. The first of these future villains was already revealed to be John Diggle Jr., the Deathstroke of 2040

'Arrow' Season 7 introduced fans to the dismal future of Star City in the year 2040 through a series of flashforwards. It looks like the eighth season is going to continue the story of Star City 2040, with most of the characters from the future world promoted to series regulars in the upcoming final season.

The futuristic setting could, in theory, allow the show to bring in reimagined versions of familiar heroes and villains, much like what 'Batman Beyond' did for 'Batman: The Animated Series'. The first of these future villains was already revealed in the final trailer for the season and it's none other than John Diggle Jr. (Charlie Barnett), Deathstroke 2040. 

There have been reports that a new spin-off show based on the 2040 team called the Canaries is in development at The CW. The planned series will reportedly star Juliana Harkavy as Dinah Drake, Katie Cassidy Rodgers as Laurel Lance, and Katherine McNamara as Mia Smoak, the daughter of Oliver Queen/Green Arrow (Stephen Amell) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards). 

While it looks like this season's 2040 stories are going to be primarily concerned with the younger Diggle and his gang of Deathstrokes, the season could also bring in other futuristic versions of the Green Arrow's rogues gallery. Though The CW is yet to confirm whether the proposed show will be going into production or not, the world of Star City 2040 is ripe with potential and it ought to be further explored, whether in its own spinoff show or in 'Arrow' Season 8.

'Batman Beyond' was a very popular and groundbreaking show at its time and still commands a cult following among fans. A spinoff series based on 'Arrow' is going to have some really big shoes to fill but if the proposed show is at least half as good a sequel as 'Batman Beyond' was to the DC Animated Universe, it might just prove to be a successful show after all.

The cast for ‘Arrow’ Season 8 includes Stephen Amell as Oliver Queen, Echo Kellum as Curtis Holt, David Ramsay as John Diggle, Rick Gonzalez as Rene Ramirez/Wild Dog, Juliana Harkavy as Dinah Drake, Kirk Acevedo as Ricardo Diaz, Katie Cassidy as Laurel Lance, Joseph David-Jones as Connor Hawke, Katherine McNamara as Mia Smoak and Charlie Barnett as John Diggle Jr.

'Arrow' Season 8 will premiere on The CW October 15.