Eight years after Superman Returns hit theaters in the summer of 2006, Brandon Routh is returning to the DC Comics fold for a recurring role on Season 3 of Arrow as Ray Palmer, a.k.a. Atom.

Ray will unexpectedly enter the lives of both Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards) as the new owner of Queen Consolidated, who has mysterious plans for the company's Applied Sciences Division. Ray is also rumored to be Felicity's potential new love interest in Season 3. The actor's deal is reportedly for 14 Season 3 episodes.

In the DC Comics, Ray Palmer is an "unparalleled scientist and inventor," who can alter the size of his body along with other objects. While he isn't technically able to fly, he can simulate flight, similar to Wonder Woman's abilities. The character has appeared in animated superhero shows such as Cartoon Network's Young Justice, but his appearance on Arrow will mark Ray Palmer's live-action debut.

Brandon Routh joins other new additions to Season 3 of Arrow such as Devon Aoki (Katana), Karl Yune (Maseo Yamashiro) and Peter Stormare (Vertigo). Brandon Routh most recently had guest-starring arcs on Chosen, The Millers and Enlisted.