The CW’s Arrowverse is set to end this May with the series finale of The Flash. However, if the show’s star Grant Gustin got his way, the end of the show would’ve also been the end of Barry Allen’s life.
This news comes from an interview Grant Gustin did with TV Line, answering the most burning questions from fans of the show. When asked if he was happy with how the series ended, Gustin told the interviewer that the ending he had pitched for the show was much different than what ended up being shot:
“When I thought about [The Flash] ending, there was a theory out there that Barry would sacrifice himself to keep the Speed Force alive and become the lightning bolt that inevitably struck him and create this full circle moment, which I thought was really cool.”
This idea for a finale was shot down by The Flash showrunner Eric Wallace. While the moment would have been a great callback for fans of the comics, mirroring the events of Barry’s demise in Crisis on Infinite Earths, Gustin admits that Wallace probably made the right call:
“I kinda always wanted him to die a hero’s death, in a way, and Eric [Wallace] w as very opposed to the idea, and we really wanted to see a happy ending for Barry and Iris,” Gustin continued. “And ultimately, I think that is, probably, looking back at this [season] and as fans revisit it, probably how they’re going to want it to end.”
Given the show had already tackled Barry Allen’s death in its own adaptation of Crisis on Infinite Earths, it’s likely that retreading the storyline for the final season would’ve felt underwhelming for fans. The finale for The Flash is also set to serve as the finale for the Arrowverse. Ending things on a happy note may serve to soften the blow for fans of the universe, content with the idea that their favorite heroes can retire in peace.
The official The Flash season nine synopsis reads as follows: “After defeating the Reverse Flash once and for all, the ninth season of THE FLASH picks up one week later following their epic battle, and Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) and Iris West-Allen (Candice Patton) are reconnecting and growing closer than ever before. But when a deadly group of Rogues descend on Central City led by a powerful new threat, The Flash and his team—Caitlin Snow (Danielle Panabaker), Meta-Empath Cecile Horton (Danielle Nicolet), the light-powered meta Allegra Garcia (Kayla Compton), brilliant tech-nerd Chester P. Runk (Brandon McKnight), and reformed cryogenics thief Mark Blaine (Jon Cor)—must once again defy impossible odds to save the day. But as The Rogues are defeated, a deadly new adversary rises to challenge Barry Allen’s heroic legacy. And in their greatest battle yet, Barry and Team Flash will be pushed to their limits, in order to save Central City one last time.”
The Flash season nine features several core cast members, as well as returning Arrowverse actors. Its cast includes Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, Candice Patton as Iris West-Allen, Danielle Panabaker as Frost II, Danielle Nicolet as Cecile Horton, Kayla Compton as Allegra Garcia, Brandon McKnight as Chester P. Runk and Jesse L. Martin as Joe West.
Stay tuned for the latest news regarding The Flash and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!