He better have learned some more special skills on that island, because Stephen Amell is joining American Ninja Warrior. Since landing the leading role in Arrow, the actor's star has risen considerably. While the former soap regular has only had a few films roles, most notably as Casey Jones in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, he's built himself a massive social media following and began a number of ventures, from a wine company to a charity. He may not be a celebrity in the traditional sense, but between his online presence, the CW's base, and DC fans, he's a recognizable name.
And while there's no telling how long Arrow will be on the air, the show has allowed him to stretch and grow as a performer. Recent episodes have seen his character Oliver Queen grapple with his legacy and the actor has spent the show's run wearing multiple masks to play the many sides of Oliver Queen, from playboy to mayor to vigilante. But as anyone who's seen Amell on the salmon ladder can attest, he's more than just a skilled actor; he's also a considerable athlete. Now, he'll have the chance to translate his skills from Arrow into the real world.
Amell announced on Twitter earlier today that he'll be part of the upcoming celebrity version of American Ninja Warrior on NBC next month, which his sizable following likely helped him book after he expressed interest last year in the competition.
I'm doing #AmericanNinjaWarrior with Master Ninja Coach The Mighty @KacyCatanzaro, May 25th on NBC. YOU WILL BE ENTERTAINED!!!— Stephen Amell (@StephenAmell) April 5, 2017
Amell will be joined by a number of other celebrities, who'll all be paired with a champion of the Ninja Warrior competition. He'll be joining up with coach Kacy Catanzaro, a recognizable name even for those who don't watch the show; Catanzaro took the Internet by storm as not only the first woman to ever qualify for the finals but also to complete the rigorous course that comprises the City Finals. Between the two of them, expect social media to explode when they compete.
The other celebrities look to all be a mixture of entertainers, with a former Olympian being Amell's biggest competition. That said, since the beginning of Arrow, Amell has done more than attend to his abs for shirtless scenes. He's spent the years training in everything from archery to parkour in real life in an attempt to get as close to being Oliver Queen as he can. Given his training and experience on the salmon ladder - one of the obstacles from the course - he should have no trouble making his way through to the end.
The special celebrity edition of American Ninja Warrior will air May 25th on NBC.
Source: Stephen Amell