The Arrowverse is entering an interesting phase in its history, as the interconnected television franchise is closing the door on established shows like Supergirl and Black Lightning and welcoming new series like Superman & Lois. Luckily, one veteran show that will be staying around is The Flash, which will be racing into its eighth season this fall. Fans will also be excited to learn that they can look forward to more of the crossover action they’ve come to expect from the Arrowverse. However, the crossover craziness will look a bit different when the show returns in the fall.
Typically, the Arrowverse includes a single massive crossover event during a particular television season. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the crossover planned for this past year was unable to happen. Now, Mark Pedowitz, The CW’s CEO, has confirmed that The Flash Season 8 will see Grant Gustin’s Barry Allen join forces with multiple Arrowverse heroes in a five-episode event that will kick off the season. During a press call (via EW), Pedowitz explained how the network is approaching these new, crossover-esque installments:
The idea for The Flash is [showrunner] Eric Wallace and [executive producer Greg Berlanti] have come together, and we’re talking about other superheroes from the CWverse that will come together in each [of the] individual episodes. That will not quite be a crossover but it will have a crossover-type feel at the introduction of all these characters.
Mark Pedowitz did not specify which Arrowverse heroes would be crossing paths with Central City’s Scarlet Speedster this fall. Still, there are plenty of opportunities for a wide array of guest stars, given the characters that are still present in the franchise.
To say that crossovers have become a staple of the Arrowverse would be an understatement. Over the years, the franchise has provided viewers with massive events that span numerous series, such as Invasion! and Elseworlds. And of course, there was the massive Crisis on Infinite Earths, which had lasting ramifications on the franchise as a whole.
These upcoming events are sure to shake things up for The Flash, though the veteran show is already going through some changes as Season 7 races towards the finish line. The series is losing two of its own, as veterans Tom Cavanagh (Harrison Wells) and Carlos Valdes (Cisco Ramon) will both depart the series by season’s end. Despite this, The Flash is also getting a jolt of new blood in the form of Jordan Fisher’s Bart Allen/Impulse, who will recur for the final stretch of the season.
The Flash is definitely going through a period of transition, but there’s still plenty to be excited about if you’re a fan. If anything, those first five episodes of the season should provide viewers with some sweet, Brave and the Bold team-up vibes. We’ll see how things pan out when Season 8 rolls around.
You can catch new episodes of The Flash Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.
