Arrow creators offer details on The Flash spin-off, and the truth behind Black Canary

Yesterday we heard the news that The CW is looking to extend its DC output beyond the hit superhero series Arrow with a spin-off centred around The Flash, and now we have a few more details about the network's plans courtesy of Arrow executive producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg and The CW President Mark Pedowitz.

"We plan to introduce a recurring character and the origin story of Dr. Barry Allen, who you know as the Flash," said Pedowitz at the Television Critics Assocation press tour. "We do want to expand upon the DC Universe. We think that there are rich characters we can use, and we felt like this was a very organic way to get there. I’m from the old school — TV creates stars. If we get a name, great. If we don’t get a name, they’ll become a name. If you don’t feel the chemistry, it doesn’t happen."

"Barry Allen’s story always has been a favorite of mine, as well as of Andrew Kreisberg and Geoff Johns," added Berlanti, confirming that it will be the Barry Allen incarnation of The Flash taking centre stage in the proposed series. "We wanted everyone to know about the show as that process commenced. We think it fits well both in terms of [Arrow] and [as a stand-alone series]."

It has been confirmed that Barry will make his debut as "an ordinary man" in episodes 8 and 9 of Arrow season 2, and will also appear in episode 20, with David Nutter directing what is presumably the back-door pilot for The Flash series. Kreisberg went on to explain how they plan to introduce the character: 

"[Barry] will be as grounded and realistic as possible. That’s how we’ll get to know him. Then his life will get a bit faster. It will be fun for the audience to see how we do our take on The Flash’s powers. Some will feel very familiar to those who know the comics, and other stuff will feel different yet fresh and exciting."

Although Arrow has so far adopted a strict no-superpowers rule, Berlanti revealed that they'll make an exception for The Flash, stating that: "He does need powers to become The Flash. And he will be The Flash. He will wear a red costume, and he will go by that name."

Meanwhile, in one other piece of SPOILERY Arrow news....

...Mark Pedowitz has explained the truth behind the reports that Caity Lotz (The Pact) has been cast as the Black Canary, revealing that her character is actually Sara Lance, Laurel's sister who was believed to have drowned in the show's pilot episode: "I hope it brings a certain amount of conflict since she's playing the sister of Laurel Lance. It's an origin story -- don't know if this character is the Black Canary or is not the Black Canary, but it is an origin story. Remember, Laurel Lance was the Black Canary in the DC Universe."

Season two of Arrow is set to get underway in the States on October 9th.