“The Flash” and “Supergirl” will channel their cast members’ real life superpowers — their singing talents — for two musical crossover episodes in the back half of the season, around episode 13 or 14, the executive producers revealed at The CW’s Television Critics Association summer press tour presentation on Thursday. The executive producers of all four CW superhero shows — “The Flash,” “Supergirl,” “Arrow” and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow” — were on hand to discuss what’s ahead for the new seasons.
That crossover is not to be confused with the epic four-show crossover that will take place between “The Flash,” “Supergirl,” “Arrow” and “Legends” in November, executive producer Greg Berlanti noted. With stars Grant Gustin and Melissa Benoist both alums of “Glee,” and a number of other cast members having done stints on Broadway, the musical episodes seemed like a no brainer for the producers, and will use “mostly pre-exisiting” songs, although Berlanti said the writers hope to pen at least one original song for each episode.
“When they’re not acting or flying or punching or exploding things, they’re singing,” Ali Adler said of Benoist and Gustin, having worked with both stars on “Glee.”
“Some of you may know my personal love for musicals, and we have a number of people who can sing across all the shows,” Berlanti noted, with the producers citing John Barrowman, Victor Garber, Jesse L. Martin and Jeremy Jordan as being especially excited about the crossover.
“We’ve got such talented actors, 15 years from now when the last of these shows is going off the air, that would be a big regret [if we didn’t do it] – it’s too much fun not to,” Sarah Schechter noted.
All four shows will feature major developments in the coming year:
A mystery character will be exploring their sexuality and coming out this season, but the producers declined to reveal which character or show. “It is a significant character and we’re not trying to be coy about it, we really want the audience to enjoy the character developments and not necessarily be ahead of the storyline,” Berlanti explained.
“Supergirl” will introduce Sharon Leal as Miss Martian this season, and Chris Wood will be playing Kryptonian Mon-El.
“Arrow” will feature Dolph Lundgren in the Russian flashbacks, and will introduce the DC Comics character Vigilante, created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, in episode 507.
“Legends of Tomorrow” has cast Lance Henriksen as Justice Society of America member Obsidian. “The Flash” will feature two villains in Season 3 — the previously announced Doctor Alchemy, and newly revealed speedster Savitar.
