Check out all of our ongoing coverage of the TCA 2016 Winter Press Tour here. (Not familiar with the TCAs? Read our handy explainer).
Before the panel sessions start for each network at the TCAs, there are usually a slew of announcements, including renewals and other tidbits. One quick note that was given was the fact that Kevin Smith will be directing an episode of The Flash in May. Executive producer Andrew Kreisberg then spoke a little bit after the panel about how the idea initially came about:
“I literally got a phone call from his agent saying that Kevin Smith’s favorite show is The Flash, and if was there an episode for him, and the answer was yes. It was really that simple. I didn’t know him personally, I’ve just been such a huge fan of his work."
Kreisberg went on to say that he loves Dogma "deliriously," and that he was a fan of Reaper which Smith did a pilot for. But of course, there's the whole publicity angle of it, as well:
"As responsible executive producers, we always have to look at that, but we would never look at that at the expense of our own show. Knowing what a fan he is, and knowing the scrutiny he's going to be under, I know he’s going to bring it to his fullest, and I’m just so excited."
There was also a question about whether Smith's connection to Mark Hamil might mean a return for the Trickster, but that's "probably not happening" in that episode (which will likely be Season 2, Episode 21 -- two episodes before the season finale).
I also got the chance to ask if Gorilla City (Groddddddddd!) will make a reappearance this year, or if it was just a tease. Kreisberg said that it probably won't be back this season, because they would like to do it as a multi-episode arc (and this year is all about Zoom). However,
"I would liken the Gorilla City thing to Ra's al Ghul. You know, you hear about "the man from nanda part" in [Arrow] Season 1, and "the man who showed Malcolm the way," and then you met Nyssa, then in Season 3 you met Ra's. So, it’s a long-term thing."
The Flash returns Tuesday, January 19th on the CW.
