FLASH Upgraded to Full Pilot
With rumors swirling around with regard to additional superheroes showing up in Man of Steel 2, executives at the CW network have decided to move forward with a full pilot order for The Flash rather than produce a back-door pilot as part of Arrow.
Grant Gustin, playing forensic scientist Barry Allen, will appear in episodes eight and nine, connected with a theft at S.T.A.R. Labs. The original plan was to have him return for the twentieth episode, which would have been the origin story for the scarlet speedster. But sources tell Deadline that CW suits are so impressed with Gustin’s performance, they’ve tossed that idea in favor of a full two-hour pilot, giving the production team ample time to tell the story properly.
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Production offices for The Flash have already been set up in Vancouver. Arrow co-creators Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg are writing with Geoff Johns. The pilot will be directed by veteran pilot director David Nutter, who helmed the pilot for Arrow and several other shows. Berlanti, Kreisberg and Nutter will executive produce, with Melissa Kellner Berman co-executive producing.
This news comes amid rumors that Gustin could also have a cameo as Barry Allen — minus the red suit — in Man of Steel 2. According to that rumor, the cameo would depend on several things: Gustin’s performance on Arrow, audience response to his portrayal of Barry Allen, and whether or not the back-door pilot got picked up as a series. The news of the pilot would seem to have eliminated that last concern.
This also raises the question: if Gustin appears in Man of Steel 2, does that firmly cement the movies and television shows together? What does that mean for Arrow, Gotham, Constantine, and Hourman?
Theory: CW decides to move The Flash straight to pilot, with Hourman also spinning out of Arrow. The Miraclo drug has already been introduced in that story universe, so it wouldn’t be a stretch, especially since the “no powers” rule is about to be tossed out the window once Allen suits up.
