Legends of Tomorrow star Brandon Routh is weighing in on his upcoming exit from the Arrowverse series. Routh has been with Legends of Tomorrow since season 1, which saw the show find its footing. He plays Ray Palmer/the Atom and is currently one of only three characters left from the start of the series. Like several other characters who boarded the Waverider, Ray started out on a different Arrowverse show, in his case Arrow. However, Routh has spent far longer on Legends of Tomorrow, developing Ray’s quirky, kind nature over the past five seasons.
News of Routh’s exit broke in August, though Legends of Tomorrow season 5 didn’t start until January. At the time, the show’s producers announced that Routh’s co-star and real-life wife Courtney Ford would be departing as well. Both Routh and Ford issued statements, with Routh’s implying the decision to leave wasn’t his. He also spoke about it more plainly last month, telling a fan on Instagram his Legends of Tomorrow exit was “not my choice.” The suggestion seemed to be that he was unhappy about the choice to end Ray’s story, forcing him to leave the show he’s called home since 2016.
Routh discussed his exit again earlier this week, during an interview on the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum. In it, he called filming his final episodes “a very traumatic event for me,” explaining that “It was not something I was expecting. It was not well handled.” Routh also eliminated one possible, comics-accurate exit for Ray. He shared, “In the comic book world, Ray Palmer…disappears, but he leaves his belt behind, which is in the comics how he has the power to shrink, and this young man takes over, Ryan Choi, and becomes the Atom.”
However, Routh reassured fans, “That’s not what happens with Ray…he doesn’t get lost into the multiverse. We’re not following the comic book structure.” The actor also responded to a question about returning to Legends of Tomorrow in the future, explaining, “That’s kind of a bridge that I will decide to cross when I get there.” It makes sense that Routh hasn’t made a decision yet, as he just bid farewell to Legends of Tomorrow in October. Additionally, Routh’s final appearance as the Atom has yet to air, which may lend clarity to his decision about returning at some point.
Though Routh is still upset by his upcoming departure from the Arrowverse, he did leave fans with a parting gift in the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover that aired in December and January. In it, Routh suited up as Kingdom Come Superman after starring in 2006’s Superman Returns. His was joined by Tyler Hoechlin, who plays Superman in the Arrowverse, as well as Tom Welling, Smallville’s Clark Kent. The event also featured several other prominent DC actors, in the largest CW crossover yet.
It’s disappointing to hear that Routh wasn’t pleased with how his exit was handled, though that doesn’t necessarily mean that Ray’s onscreen exit will follow the same pattern. In fact, in the most recent episode, Ray asked Ford’s character, Nora, to marry him. It seems most likely that the two characters will leave the Waverider on good terms. This would allow for their returns at some point, provided Routh and Ford decide they’re open to it. For now, Legends of Tomorrow fans will have to wait and see exactly how Ray’s exit pans out.
More: Legends Of Tomorrow Getting Rid Of Ray Palmer Is A Mistake
Source: Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum
