On the latest image released from The CW’s upcoming “Elseworlds” crossover event, the prime time Trinity are front and center...with a little help from a friend.
With only weeks until the highly anticipated “Elseworlds” crossover takes over The CW’s primetime landscape, the folks behind the DC series have shared another image, this one putting the network’s “trinity” of leads front and center and joined by one of the surprise guest stars that have been announced will be part of this year’s event. Supergirl Melissa Benoist, Arrow star Stephen Amell (cast as the Scarlet Speedster) and The Flash lead Grant Gustin in the archer’s hood, stand at the ready alongside John Wesley Shipp wearing a redo of his “Flash” suit from 1990.
The image mirrors the behind-the-scene still that was released several works ago which revealed guest star Shipp suited up as The Flash when he starred in the CBS 1990 series. Many fans attribute that series with reigniting the genre fandom as superheroes began to take a more mainstream take in popular culture largely due to the success of director Tim Burton’s Batman. There’s still plenty about this season’s “Elseworlds” story arc that is still much of a mystery including the introduction of Ruby Rose as Gotham City’s own Batwoman and the return of Superman.
What is being promised is a more streamlined storyline that puts the focus squarely on the Arrowverse primetime leads, the “trinity” of characters so to speak. In the past the crossover had ballooned to include the casts of DC’s Legends of Tomorrow which would often bring the total number of the ensemble to well over 25 heroes taking on that week’s threat of the week. Last year’s “Crisis on Earth-X” truly reached a blockbuster level of production. This year the series’ show-runners decided to scale it down if just a bit, but the stakes are just as high as ever!
Towing The Line
Entertainment Weekly had the honor of releasing the first “official” image from one of the upcoming crossover episodes that reveals the lead stars all front and center, joined by guest star Shipp. Though much of the storyline is still a secret — and cudos to the production staff for keeping it hidden from fans — the “Elseworlds” storyline as often illustrated in the comics presents adventures in “alternate realities”. With Oliver (Amell) and Barry (Gustin) obviously swapping roles, and the intrusion of DC Comics world-watching Monitor also part of the arc, the multiverse may be facing a new crisis.
Our three heroes strike a familiar pose preparing to take on whatever challenge “Elseworlds” presents. The 3-part event will take them out of their usual haunts as they all converge on Gotham City joining forces with Batwoman and even getting some help from the Man of Steel.
The series stars have noted that though the script has been toned down to just 3-parts, the scope of the story is bigger than ever! The crossover event’s production scheduled also afforded the team the luxury to coincide with the series hiatus, closing out the first half of most of the primetime line-up. The shows will take a break returning in January, with the exception of DC’s Legends which will return to wrap-up its season in April; it’s Monday night time slot will be temporarily taken over by Black Lightning moving over from its usual time on Tuesday night following The Flash.