Brandon Routh Joins Arrow Season 3 as Ray Palmer aka The Atom

Brandon Routh was once a part of the DC Universe as the Man of Steel in Superman Returns in 2006, and he will soon make his return as an entirely different hero in Season 3 of the CW's Arrow.

TVLine reported exclusively that Routh would portray Ray Palmer, aka The Atom, in a recurring role when the show returns in the fall. This will be the live-action debut for the character, who has appeared in animated series such as Justice League and Young Justice on Cartoon Network.

"An unparalleled scientist and inventor, Ray will play an unexpected role in the lives of Oliver and (rumored love interest) Felicity as the new owner of Queen Consolidated. Palmer's plans for Queen Consolidated's Applied Sciences Division will be shrouded in mystery."

The Atom is able to shrink himself and other objects to microscopic sizes, but he can also increase his size to gargantuan proportions.

In other Arrow news, Peter Stormare has joined the cast as Werner Zytle, aka Count Vertigo, in the Season 3 premiere. In DC Comics' New 52 series, Zytle is one of the Green Arrow's enemies. Many fans assumed that Seth Gabel's character, The Count, would become Vertigo, but TV Guide reports differently:

"On Arrow, Werner is introduced as the new purveyor of the drug Vertigo, filling the role left vacant since the death of The Count last season. Zytle, who will be the first villain that the team faces in Season 3, will go by the moniker Vertigo."

What do you think of Routh's joining the Arrow cast as The Atom? Let us know in the comments below.