The Deathstroke Returning To Arrow Fiasco Encounters Yet Another Twist

As the season finale of Arrow draws closer, it’s starting to seem like the behind the scenes drama is equal that of what we’re getting on TV. While it’s already been settled that fans can look forward to once again seeing the likes of Black Siren and Nyssa al Ghul before the fifth season concludes, there sure has been a lot of back and forth regarding the Deathstroke situation.

One thing’s for certain: Deathstroke will, in fact, appear in the season finale this May. But the hot topic for discussion of late has been in what capacity. Earlier this week, it was announced that Slade Wilson would be returning for the star-studded extravaganza and that Manu Bennett would be reprising his role, something the actor swiftly shot down, saying he was elsewhere working on a different project.

Now, this caused many to believe that either Bennett was playing it coy or wasn’t aware that his involvement was ready to be publicly disclosed. As such, this led to reports saying the contrary and that he will be showing up.

Well, now the plot thickens, as executive producer Marc Guggenheim took to Twitter, saying that we’ll be hearing Bennett’s voice, prompting the latter to express thanks for the “slight clarification” and revealing that pre-recorded ADR is being used.

See for yourself:

thank you for that slight clarification BUT isn't using old pre-recorded ADR for d.s not kosher? pic.twitter.com/fSQR1s0a54

— Manu (@manubennett) April 13, 2017

If indeed all we see is a stuntman with pre-recorded dialogue regurgitating something like “I made you a promise, kid,” I think viewers will feel cheated. But, before we part ways, I’ll present one more exhibit, this coming from another Twitter user:

@manubennett @mguggenheim Manu you were literally spotted on set mate pic.twitter.com/8lUOsMfXbz

— s t e v e n !!! !! ! (@LastSonofThawne) April 13, 2017

Should that paparazzi shot prove to be authentic, that’d put us back at square one. Still, why even bother with all this? Is it just a stunt to get us all to tune in? I’d say we won’t know for certain until May, but there seems to be a new chapter written in this saga every time we turn around, and we’re starting to feel a bit frustrated by it all.

Arrow returns with new episodes on Wednesday, April 26 on The CW.