Why Supergirl Chose To Cross Over With The Flash And Not Arrow

Superhero series are always plenty entertaining on their own, but there’s nothing like a crossover episode to spice things up. The three DC shows on The CW have been crossing over regularly, but the upcoming Flash and Supergirl crossover will see The CW and CBS teaming heroes up for the first time. Of course, considering that Arrow on The CW really kicked off the current age of DC on TV, some fans might have expected Oliver Queen to get first dibs on an adventure with Kara Danvers. According to Supergirl executive producer Greg Berlanti, there’s a very simple reason why Barry is the one heading to CBS.

We needed to create a way to do it. We had to introduce Superman since you’ve heard about him and you’ve heard about Supergirl, but in the worlds of Arrow and Flash, they didn’t exist in that world. We introduced the multiverse in The Flash this year, and that was always our way in.

Greg Berlanti’s explanation for the Flash/Supergirl crossover - Superflash, perhaps? – at the recent Paleyfest panel (via Deadline) definitely validates the decision to pick Barry instead of Oliver as the bridge between networks. After all, there are plenty of things that Oliver can do as the Green Arrow that Barry cannot do as the Flash, but hopping between universes is not one of them.

The reveal that Greg Berlanti was looking ahead to a possible crossover with The Flash’s new multiverse certainly makes the prospect more exciting. The crossover was rumored for a long time before it was confirmed, so knowing there was a plan in place for the heroes teaming up means that the episode could be much more than just a stunt.

Greg Berlanti is definitely the man to trust to bring the CW’s Flarrow-verse and the Supergirl-verse together on the small screen. He worked as a creator and executive producer on both Arrow and The Flash before added CBS' Supergirl to his resume. If anybody could connect the networks and keep the crossover true to all of the characters involved, Berlanti is the guy.

Interestingly, Greg Berlanti didn’t give any clues that there’s a plan for Arrow and Supergirl joining forces anytime soon. Arrow star Stephen Amell is all for a crossover, but Supergirl may be best left out of Oliver Queen’s world. Oliver doesn’t have the same ability to jump through time and universes as Barry, so Kara would likely have to come to the Flarrow-verse for a Superarrow crossover to happen.

Besides, Barry and Kara are a better match for a quick teamup. They can literally keep up with one another thanks to their superpowers, and they’re both upbeat enough that their personalities should complement each other nicely.

To catch Barry and Kara teaming up to battle Livewire and the Silver Banshee, be sure to tune in for the Flash and Supergirl crossover on March 28 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Laura Hurley
Senior Content Producer

Laura turned a lifelong love of television into a valid reason to write and think about TV on a daily basis. She's not a doctor, lawyer, or detective, but watches a lot of them in primetime. CinemaBlend's resident expert and interviewer for One Chicago, the galaxy far, far away, and a variety of other primetime television. Will not time travel and can cite multiple TV shows to explain why. She does, however, want to believe that she can sneak references to The X-Files into daily conversation (and author bios).