FLASH Returns to TV via CW

At the Television Critics Association press junket this week, it was announced that not only will Barry Allen be joining Arrow as a recurring character, but he’ll also spin out for his own show. So, Scarlet Speedster fans, the Flash is returning to television.

According to CW president Mark Pedowitz, Allen will debut during season two of Arrow, and from his early comments it seems only the forensic scientist and not his alter ego will appear on the “non-metas” show. But with the stated intention of expanding Arrow to include more of the DC Universe, how long will that rule stay in place? With possible plans to introduce characters like Hal Jordan — and having already mentioned Ted Kord and Ray Palmer — it won’t be long before fans start asking about Green Lantern, Blue Beetle and the Atom.

The last time we saw a proper Flash was in 1990, with John Wesley Shipp playing a Barry Allen who was essentially an amalgam of Allen and Wally West. Produced by Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, the show battled ratings woes because of its position opposite both The Cosby Show and The Simpsons. That, combined with high production costs, led to a cancellation after only one season.

This time around, the show will be produced by Arrow‘s Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg, with David Nutter directing the pilot as he has for Arrow, Smallville and Roswell, among other science fiction shows.

Pedowitz also confirmed that Amazon is on hold after script problems remained unresolved, citing the need to “get it right” for a character as iconic as Wonder Woman. (And as I’ve pointed out, it’s really not that hard to do.)

This goes along with hints coming out of San Diego Comic Con, where there was a tease of a possibility that the show would serve as a first step in bridging the TV universe with the cinematic universe that includes Man of Steel.  (And of course, now that I go to look for that reference, I can’t find it…)