While we’ve been excited about his participation since the start, John Wesley Shipp has taken some time to talk about his involvement with The Flash. With his being the title character in the 1990’s series, having him involved in the new incarnation is definitely a positive. Promotion for the project started quickly with The CW running the teasers and having the full five minute trailer online and Shipp is out there talking it up as well with how he became involved:
“They made an offer. They called my agent and said they wanted to talk. When I heard about it, people were saying ‘Jay Garrick! Jay Garrick! Jay Garrick!’ I thought ‘Yeah, I guess a mentor figure.’ I thought that was pretty limited. Then I heard about Geoff Johns reboot where he reimagined the Allen family and the fact that the father is imprisoned, convicted wrongfully, for killing his wife. I thought ‘Wait a minute! That’s the character!’”
Getting to play a role in the new Flash’s life, he also talked about Grant Gustin:
“He is very real in his work. Very truthful. He’s invested, and sincere is just a good word for him. After having worked with him in the pilot, I know just how good of an actor he really is. How much depth there is. It’s a pilot that has a lot of depth. It has a lot of flash and dazzle, but then there’s emotional depth.”
And naturally some dialogue about the passing of the torch aspect since it’s been nearly twenty years:
“I don’t know what I can say without giving stuff away! All I can say, if people were disappointed that I’m not playing Jay Garrick because they wanted to see the baton passed, they’re going to get that. […] It’s awfully effective.”
With the pilot directed by David Nutter, the series stars Grant Gustin, Jesse L. Martin, Rick Cosnett, Danielle Panabaker, Candice Patton, Carlos Valdes and Tom Cavanagh. John Wesley-Shipp of the previous Flash TV series will guest in the pilot.
Plot concept: After a particle accelerator causes a freak storm, CSI Investigator Barry Allen is struck by lightning and falls into a coma. Months later he awakens with the power of super speed, granting him the ability to move through Central City like an unseen guardian angel. Though initially excited by his newfound powers, Barry is shocked to discover he is not the only “meta-human” who was created in the wake of the accelerator explosion — and not everyone is using their new powers for good. Barry partners with S.T.A.R. Labs and dedicates his life to protect the innocent. For now, only a few close friends and associates know that Barry is literally the fastest man alive, but it won’t be long before the world learns what Barry Allen has become…The Flash.
[Source: ComicBookTherapy]