How do the producers of the Arrowverse plan to top aliens in this year's crossover? By upping the emotional stakes and character development, of course. With the introduction of Barry Allen in Arrow, the promise of the Arrowverse was born. In that same slot the next year, the two shows joined forces for a two-part crossover that finally gave fans a DC version of the MCU. Since that time, the Arrowverse has gained two new shows and had two more crossovers, with each getting more and more epic. The second official one introduced the Hawks and set-up Legends of Tomorrow, while last year's brought in aliens like the Dominators and Supergirl.

We've known for a while now that the plan for The CW is to continue these yearly crossovers, and it's really no surprise. Not only are they loved by comics fans, but the three-part Invasion! event last year was the network's most-watched series in six years. That team-up sadly didn't properly take place on Supergirl, but fans have been promised a true four-show crossover this year -- sorry Black Lightning. And while topping an alien invasion is a tall order, the producers of the show are hoping to up the ante with more emotional and character-based stakes.

Executive producer Marc Guggenheim was a guest on EW's podcast (via Heroic Hollywood), and he discussed the tactic for this year's big event.

Legends of Tomorrow Invasion! Promo

"Every year we feel the pressure and I do feel like each crossover has topped the previous one. Topping last year’s [crossover] is a high bar, if for no other reason than what do you do that is bigger than aliens? We got some, I think, very, very exciting ideas. I would say, very early on in the process in actually doing last year’s crossover, Greg [Berlanti] said that ‘there’s probably no way to get bigger than aliens’. So the best way to make this year’s crossover especially epic is, if you can’t increase the bombast, increase the emotional stakes and the emotional pay-offs. A very oblique comment on where our heads are at for this season."

While the answer may seem like a soft one, it makes sense. There's really no way to top an alien invasion in terms of spectacle, and the shows have a limited budget. Plus, it was hard enough to fit Oliver's grounded world into the fantastical one of the other shows as is. Upping the ante too much could just end up being silly. By focusing on character, however, the crossover can reach the heights of last year's, which featured one of the best episodes of Arrow yet.

As we wait for October and the return of superhero TV, Guggenheim hasn't been shy when it comes to shedding light on the new seasons of many of his shows. Earlier today, he talked about the confrontation between the Legends and Rip Hunter we'll see in the fall, and teased the new Black Canary Memorial on Arrow. Yesterday, he also opened up about the characters on Arrow and where they'll go moving forward, what with them all seemingly having been blown up in the finale. With Comic-Con around the corner, we should learn a lot more about each show soon.

Supergirl will premiere Monday, October 9 on The CW, followed by The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow on Tuesday, October 10 and Arrow on Thursday, October 12.

Next: First Arrow Season 6 Concept Art Features Black Canary Memorial

Source: EW (via Heroic Hollywood)