Barry Allen won't have much time to catch his breath in season 3 of The Flash. Producers have been heavy-handed with their sprinkling of bad guys for the upcoming season of The CW's top performing series. Ever since Comic-Con, news has continuously trickled in about new characters headed to Central City.
In addition to a hefty rogues' gallery, season 3 promises a lot of speedsters as well. Zoom's return is rumored, Wally suits up as Kid Flash, Jay Garrick was rescued from the iron mask, Savitar will be introduced as well as another dark speedster who we now know is the Rival. There had be a great deal of confusion earlier this month as to Savitar's casting thanks to a set photo.
Yet another of Starz's Spartacus alumni is making his way into the Arrowverse as TV Line confirms Todd Lasance will be appearing in The Flash as the Rival. His connection comes from the Jay Garrick era and his appearance in the season 3 premiere confirms that Barry will be tested immediately.
After a set photo was leaked, fans took to the internet to speculate that Lasance had been cast as Savitar, an evil speedster whose season three appearance is looming even though no actor has been officially cast yet. Producer Greg Berlanti used Twitter to put an end to Savitar casting rumors and confusion surrounding the photo. He later stomped out rumors by directly responding to a tweet with Lasance in costume.
For all those tweeting me or elsewhere. We have NOT cast Savitar. Those reports are incorrect. #theflash— Greg Berlanti (@GBerlanti) August 23, 2016
@StevensonJohns1 nope— Greg Berlanti (@GBerlanti) August 23, 2016
Showrunner, Todd Helbing, also told TV Line more about what sets Savitar apart from other speedsters.
“Savitar in Hindu means ‘the god of speed,’ and he has this sort of cult-like essence, where he’s sort of like the speed god. But everything about him is different than Zoom or Reverse-Flash. I can’t go into too much detail, but he’s quite a bit different.”
Rival, Edward Clariss, was a university professor in DC's Golden Age comics that felt cheated by Jay Garrick because Clariss believed the speed formula to be his design. After vengeance consumed the professor, his inferior formula proved to be his downfall and after losing a battle with Garrick, he became trapped in the speed force. Where The Flash is concerned, could Barry's trip through time have somehow released the Rival from his unintended prison?
Interestingly, the Rival was eventually recruited as a member of the Injustice Society -- the main foils to the Justice Society of America. Does that mean The Flash has revealed another connection to Legends of Tomorrow? Only time will tell.
The Flash season 3 will premiere Tuesday October 4th at 8pm on The CW, Arrow season 5 will premiere in the same timeslot on Wednesday October 5th, Supergirl season 2 on Monday October 10th, and Legends of Tomorrow season 2 on Thursday October 13th.
Source: TV Line