The CW has decided that The Flash will now get a standalone pilot, instead of debuting in episode 20 of Arrow as a backdoor pilot.
Deadline, who exclusively reported the news, notes that the CW's original plan was to introduce Barry Allen in Arrow's eighth, ninth and 20th episode.
CW executives saw early cuts of the eighth and ninth episodes and decided to change their plans a bit. Allen will still appear episodes eight and nine, as they are filmed, but whether he will appear as the Flash in episode 20 is up in the air.
Allen is introduced into the Arrow's story as he comes to town as an assistant police forensics investigator looking into several unexplained robberies. He is also a fan of the Arrow and accidentally gets drawn into the super hero's world.
As previously reported, Grant Gustin was cast to portray the Flash and his alter ego Dr. Allen. Gustin previously was on the Fox show Glee.
Episodes eight and nine were intended to provide the Flash with an origin story and then the character would be shown in costume for the first time in episode 20.
image: Amazon