The CW Developing "Arrow" Spin-Off to Feature the Flash
July 30, 2013
by Natalie Abrams


The CW is one step closer to bringing together the Justice League!

The network is developing "Flash", a spin-off of "Arrow" which will feature speedy superhero Barry Allen. The character will be introduced in a backdoor pilot on "Arrow" during Season 2 before potentially spinning off into his own series.

"We plan to introduce a recurring character and an origin story of Dr. Barry Allen, who you now know is the Flash," CW President Mark Pedowitz told reporters at the Television Critics Association fall TV previews on Tuesday.

"We're planning an origin story, we'll see how it goes and hopefully it goes well. We do want to expand on the DC universe. We've got rich characters that we can use and we thought this was a very organic way to get there."







"Arrow" executive producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg will executive-produce the project alongside DC Entertainment's Geoff Johns. David Nutter, who helmed the "Arrow" pilot, has signed on to direct the backdoor pilot. Marc Guggenheim, also an executive producer on Arrow, will not be involved with "Flash".

Given that "Arrow" has kept its characters grounded in reality, it comes as a surprise that a character who possesses super-speed and superhuman reflexes would be introduced.

"Remember, it's an origin story, so he may not come in with superpowers," Pedowitz said, adding that they're just beginning to cast the role.







With "Flash", the network has now assembled two of the main seven members of the Justice League, including Green Arrow (Stephen Amell's Oliver Queen) from the flagship series.

Last year, the network developed a "Wonder Woman" origin series, which would've been called "Amazon", but the project is currently on hold.

The CW was also the home to Clark Kent's Superman, though "Smallville" and "Arrow" do not hail from the same universe since the Green Arrow was played by Justin Hartley on the former series.



"Flash" would be the third spin-off for the network. "The Vampire Diaries" is launching the new series "The Originals" this season, while a backdoor pilot is being developed to spin off the long-running "Supernatural".



"Arrow" returns Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 8/7c on The CW.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/CW-Arrow-Flash-Spin-Off-1068561.aspx

should be interesting - Barry Allen is supposed to be a police scientist, they could do a lot starting his story from there with no powers at all and take a more realistic twist from the original stories.

I just started watching the Flash series that was made a few years ago on DVD!

The CW’s "The Flash" to do Stand-Alone Pilot
by NELLIE ANDREEVA
November 18, 2013


There has been a change in The CW‘s plans for "The Flash".

Originally, the character, played by Grant Gustin, was supposed to appear in three episodes of "Arrow" this season — No. 8, No. 9 and No. 20, the last one serving as a backdoor pilot directed by David Nutter. Episodes 8 and 9, in which the superhero is introduced only as his alter ego Barry Allen, have already been shot.



But now The CW has opted to film a traditional stand-alone "Flash" pilot instead of doing a backdoor pilot as "Arrow‘s" Episode 20. With Episodes 8 and 9 serving as an origin story, the plan was for The Flash character to make his debut — red costume and all — in "Arrow‘s" Episode 20.

He will now do it in the pilot. The creative team remains the same, with "Arrow" co-creators Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg and series scribe Geoff Johns writing the pilot and Nutter, who helmed the pilot for "Arrow", directing.

Berlanti, Kreisberg and Nutter executive produce, with Melissa Kellner Berman co-executive producing.







The decision was made after The CW brass saw cuts of Episodes 8 and 9, which have been very well received. Filming a stand-alone "Flash" pilot would allow the creators to better flesh out the superhero’s story and his world on a bigger budget, as pilot budgets are significantly higher than episodic ones.

While no longer a full-blown spinoff, "The Flash" still will be tethered to the Arrow universe since the the character (as Barry Allen) will first be introduced there. In light of the pilot order, it is unclear whether Episode 20 of "Arrow" will feature The Flash or any reference to him.

The "Arrow" producers are expected to discuss their ideas for the episode with The CW this coming week.

http://www.deadline.com/2013/11/cws-the-flash-to-do-standalone-pilot-instead-of-arrow-backdoor-pilot-episode/