Are you ready for The CW's new "fast-paced" drama?
Fun Fact: As a kid, Grant Gustin, who has been tapped to play Barry Allen in the CW's upcoming superhero series The Flash, absolutely despised running.
"I was actually very fast as a kid, but ironically I hated running," the 24-year-old actor admitted to a room full of reporters at the TCA press tour Friday morning in LA.
And although Gustin revealed that he "didn't know too, too much about Barry Allen" before taking on the role, he has now fully embraced the physical skills required in order to become the fastest man on earth and one of DC Comics most beloved characters.
For those unfamiliar with the way The Flash came to fruition on the network, it is a spin-off from The CW's other smash hit, Arrow. However, producers warn that The Flash is not just another superhero series.
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“We weren’t looking to do the same show twice,” said executive producer Andrew Kreisberg. “We weren’t looking for the same kind of hero that Stephen [Amell] portrays. We wanted someone more normal, who had greatness thrust upon them.”
Even though The Flash's problems in Central City will mainly be separate from the crime-riddled Starling City in Arrow, the network has already planned a special two-hour crossover event later this fall. "Episodes 8 of both shows, Arrow and Flash, are going to be a two-hour crossover event," Kreisberg said to TVGuide following the panel. "[Also], in Episode 4, Felicity [Emily Bett Rickards] is going to come to The Flash."
And as for all you diehard comic book lovers out here, DC Comics creative chief Geoff Johns promised that The Flash will stay true to its fast-paced roots. "We incorporated everything from the mythology into it, and added a backstory. It's probably the most faithful DC Comics adaptation ever," he said. "We were so intent on making sure this was true to the character."
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The executive producers promised that in addition to honoring the truth in Barry Allen's journey, fans can expect to be treated to a plethora of fan-favorite DC Comics characters. "With Arrow and Flash we'll probably have half the Justice League," executive producer Greg Berlanti joked to the crowd.
The EP went on the divulge that Prison Break's Wentworth Miller has signed on to appear in the series fourth episode as Leonard Snart—aka Captain Cold—one of the most feared villains in the Flash universe.
Adding to the casting news, Robbie Amell (cousin of Arrow's Stephen, and star of canceled The Tomorrow People) will play Caitlin Snow's (Danielle Panabaker) fiancé, Ronnie Raymond. And as a special nod to all Allen fans, John Wesley Shipp, who played The Flash in an earlier adaptation, is back in a recurring role as Barry's dad.
As for The Flash's iconic suit? Producers explained the suit will continue to change and evolve over the episodes thanks to innovations by Allen’s support team at Star Labs.
The Flash premieres Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8/7c on The CW.
