‘Arrow’ Season 2 Flash Spinoff: Grant Gustin Previews Traditional Costume, Plus Time Travel?

Less surprising than the initial announcement that 'Arrow' season 2 would incorporate the Flash for a potential spinoff was the follow up that 'Glee' star Grant Gustin had beaten out several others to the role. And while we won't see Dr. Barry Allen make his debut until later in the upcoming season, with his red-suited alter ego arriving even later, Gustin recently opened up about the non-traditional casting approach and the iconic duds we'll eventually see the character sport.

"I know the character and know I'm a little young,' Gustin told E! of The CW's decision to offer him the iconic part, suggesting that 'Arrow''s approach to the scarlet speedster would arrive a bit early in his own career as well. "I know I'm coming on as up-and-coming in my field. He's not going to be The Flash immediately, obviously."

Echoing producers' earlier words in announcing the character, Gustin offered up that he'd caught wind of a "pretty traditional" Flash costume being designed for the hero's ultimate debut in episode 20 of the coming season. As for the limits of his abilities in 'Arrow''s previously powerless world, Gustin speculated that he'd want to see the Flash's time-jumping potential explored, a side-effect of his near-unlimited speed. Flash comic writer Geoff Johns has also taken up scripting duties for 'Arrow,' which may yet see more comic book-y aspects of the character brought to life on screen.

In addition to introducing the Flash alongside references to Metamorpho and The Atom, ‘Arrow’ season 2 will pick up on October 9 some time after the events of the season 1 finale, continuing its ‘Batman Begins’-influenced storytelling with the addition of new villains Isabel Rochev (Summer Glau), Bronze Tiger (Michael Jai White), Amanda Waller (‘Spartacus‘ Cynthia Addai-Robinson), Brother Blood (Kevin Alejandro), League of Assassins member Al-Owal (‘Homeland”s Navid Negahban) and DC character Sin (‘The Killing”s Bex Taylor Klaus). Season 1 stars Colton Haynes (Roy Harper), Manu Bennett (Slade Wilson) and Emily Bett Rickards (Felicity Smoak) have also been upgraded to series regulars this time around, as well.

We'll keep an ear out for the latest on the Flash as 'Arrow' looks to weave the character into the coming season, but what say you? Are you ready for a more traditional comic approach to the Flash speed up the 'Arrow' world? Watch the latest trailer below, and give us your predictions in the comments!