John Wesley Shipp, who was cast as Barry Allen, the Scarlet Speedster’s alter ego in the 22-episode series, is passing on the red tights to “Glee” alumnus, Grant Gustin, in a flashy reboot of the superhero franchise beginning Oct. 7.
Shipp’s affinity with the Fastest Man Alive doesn’t end there, however: He has been cast as a recurring character in the updated show for the CW network—as Barry’s beleaguered father, Henry, who is wrongly convicted of killing his wife, Nora (Michelle Harrison).
Recently, we watched the pilot episode of the new series and, while some derivative elements prevented it from being completely engaging, we found director David Nutter’s yarn-spinning promising and, well, fast-paced.
True, the geeky Gustin looks too “slight” beside the hunky Stephen Amell, who portrays Oliver Queen in the Green Arrow series, “Arrow,” from whose show Barry, a brilliant but unpopular forensics investigator in Central City, was introduced. The physical contrasts between the costumed vigilantes add texture to their partnership.
Producer Andrew Kreisberg and his partners had good reason why they didn’t want young Mr. Allen cut from the same GQ-ready mold: “We weren’t looking for the usual hero. We wanted to have greatness thrust upon somebody more ‘normal’—like Grant.”
Struck by lightning
Barry’s dramatic arc gets off to a compelling start, as a bullied kid who witnesses the death of his mother. Fourteen years later, he is struck by lightning when a particle accelerator explodes—which leaves him comatose for nine months!
When he wakes up, Allen discovers how cellular regeneration has turned him into a super speedster—with abs, to boot—who can defend helpless humans against rogues and villains, like Leonard Snart aka the freeze gun-wielding Captain Cold, who will be portrayed by Wentworth Miller (“Prison Break”) in upcoming episodes!
Barry has a huge crush on his best friend, Iris (Candice Patton)—but, the pretty daughter of his surrogate father, Detective Joe West (Jessie L. Martin), is infatuated with hotshot new cop, Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett), who will soon become Professor Zoom aka Reverse-Flash!
A quibble about the show involves the hero’s drab and ill-fitting costume (the one worn by Shipp may have been too muscular, but at least it looked closer to the comic-book version)—but, for now, we’ll have to let the series, as well as its protagonist’s famous red garb, run its course. True enough, during the show’s recent press tour, producer Greg Berlanti disclosed that the costume will evolve over time—so, we’ll just have to take his word for it.
With some guidance from his supportive but brooding new buddy from Starling City, The Green Arrow, The Flash must learn the tricks of the superhero trade fast—before his enemies get the better of him!
But, is he a hero worthy of Superman or Batman’s company, or is he just another victim of a mad scientist’s hubris?