With Barry Allen a slave to the speed force heading into The Flash Season 4, could Wally West take up the Flash mantle in Barry's absence? If current Kid Flash portrayer Keiynan Lonsdale has any positive answers for that query, he has an excellent poker face. Here's what the actor said regarding Wally becoming The Flash:
It's not something that's on my radar. I feel as though there is so much story to tell and Wally has so much growing to do. I'd like to see that journey continue. That's what I think is important. We need to see how these characters realistically get to where they are headed for.
So, regardless of what fans are hoping for, Keiynan Lonsdale ain't too worried about it. To the actor's credit, few would dispute that the overall character development of Wally West is more important than stuffing him in a red suit and calling him Flash, but what if that heroic promotion is precisely what it would take for Wally to grow further as a character? Wouldn't the lack of Barry's guidance and leadership force him to mature as a hero, nixing some of those rookie mistakes he made in Season 3?
As Newsweek notes, Keiynan Lonsdale may be putting up a speculation-dashing front, trying to throw fans off the trail by not revealing anything major for Season 4 of The Flash. The actor accidentally spilled the beans regarding a huge character return in Season 2, and Lonsdale has since made a point to be tight-lipped in interviews, ensuring he's not spoiling anything for audiences:
I accidentally revealed that Rick Cosnett was coming back. I was with Candice and we were freaking out because it was a livestream and I hadn't done that before. I didn't completely reveal it but smart fans caught on and I freaked out because I had only been there for a month. I was like, 'Oh my god, I ruined everything!'
If Keiynan Lonsdale is playing dumb and actually does know he's gonna become the main man on The Flash, it wouldn't be all that surprising. Wally West taking over as The Flash in the wake of Barry Allen's death/absence has precedent throughout DC lore, and the show has never been afraid to make small nods to canon even if they don't follow them completely.
I mean, the Flashpoint storyline was the first time Wally suited up as "The Flash" so that he could keep Central City safe in a timeline without Barry Allen guiding the heroics. As such, few would likely be astonished if West becomes the new Flash if even for an episode or two in Season 4. Now can we just get someone to confirm it so we can get excited about it?
Keiynan Lonsdale and everyone else on The Flash cast still has months to go to slip up before Season 4 premieres on October 10th at 8 p.m. ET on The CW. So let's hope more details surface eventually. For more on The Flash, check out all we know about Season 4 right here. Fans may also want to check out The CW's full fall lineup here, as there are a couple new shows and a major DC TV shakeup you may not know about. For programming in the here and now, be sure to visit our summer premiere guide and stay in the loop for all of the summer's hottest shows.
