What the Supergirl/Flash Crossover Could Mean for the Cross-Network Franchises
The CW and CBS are joining forces to bring a superhero crossover to our screens, something that seemed impossible even to the stars of the show.
Both shows are executive produced by Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg through Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment, and The CW is jointly owned by Warner Bros and CBS, so there's clearly increased likelihood of this having happened as opposed to less connected networks.
"I honestly didn't think it was possible between networks," Supergirl star Melissa Benoist admitted. "I remember Kreisberg telling me right before Grant and I presented at the Golden Globes, 'we're gonna just pitch the idea and see how they respond,'
"...and I remember thinking, 'oh my god, this is going to happen. It has to! There's no way in the world that people wouldn't see how valuable that could be and how awesome it could be and how much the fans would love it.'"
CBS head Glenn Geller, CW head Mark Pedowitz, and WBTV boss Peter Roth all had to greenlight the thing, and Benoist was right. Geller saw the potential, and how alternative universe travel was possible for the Flash.
Pedowitz was open to it despite the little benefits apparent for CW. "We were always open to it if the producers could make it work. Comic books are the ultimate crossover - that's the nature of what they've been since they've existed, characters moving back and forth. So from my perspective, this was a great thing for all the franchises."
Both starring actors have a brief history on Fox series "Glee", though as Flash star Grant Gustin stated, "...I don't know if we ever made eye contact, so it was a lot of fun to actually get to work with her."
Benoist shared the sentiment. "I think both of us feel the same way about how we want a set to feel and what it means to lead a show the way we have to, in the positions that we're in... We can't believe that both of us are doing what we're doing."
Coming off a couple of rough episodes, Benoist describes the Flash's arrival as perfect timing. "...He comes in and they have this lovely relationship of helping each other and exchanging advice in what they've both experienced."
Gustin hopes that this could be the first step toward having an entire connected universe, including Supergirl's involvement in Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow.
"It's another stepping stone in what we all hope will be continuing to connect this whole universe and all these shows... that would be ideal [having Benoist join the CW shows], and I think that's the goal, but I do not make those decisions. I just hope it happens."
Source: Variety
