John Wesley Shipp On His Role In THE FLASH; Praises Grant Gustin

John Wesley Shipp On His Role In THE FLASH; Praises Grant Gustin

In an interview with Comic Book Therapy, the original Flash, John Wesley Shipp, talks about his role in the upcoming Flash show, dishing on Grant Gustin's performance and how exactly he was offered the role of the titular hero's father.

By LMB10 - Jun 04, 2014 07:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Flash Gordon
Source: ComicBookTherapy

It was a pleasant suprise for fans of the classic 90s Flash TV show that it's main star, John Wesley Shipp, would be returning for the new Flash show over 20 years later. We have recently learned that he'll be playing Barry Allen's father, who has been wrongly convicted of killing Nora Allen, Barry's mom. ComicBookTherapy have recently posted an exclusive interview with the actor, in which he dishes on getting to work on the show, and praises the new Flash actor Grant Gustin.
 
On his role in the upcoming series, Shipp said: "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!’" When asked about working with Gustin, he wont on to say: "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."
 
Shipp went on to talk about him passing on the role to a new, younger Flash, saying: "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."
 
For the full interview, be sure to head over to ComicBookTherapy where they talk about Gustin's Flash suit and what sort of role Shipp will play throughout the series. In the mean time, The Flash is gearing up to start shooting in July for a premiere in the Fall, airing Tuesdays on the CW. 
 
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. The series stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen / The Flash, Candice Patton as Iris West, Rick Cosnett as Eddie Thawne, Jesse L Martin as Detective Joe West, Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow, Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells and John Wesley Shipp as Henry Allen.
 
THOR: RAGNAROK's Taika Waititi Will Reportedly Write And Direct Animated FLASH GORDON For Fox/Disney
Related:

THOR: RAGNAROK's Taika Waititi Will Reportedly Write And Direct Animated FLASH GORDON For Fox/Disney

FLASH GORDON Remake To Be Written And Directed By OVERLORD Helmer Julius Avery
Recommended For You:

FLASH GORDON Remake To Be Written And Directed By OVERLORD Helmer Julius Avery

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

DEVLIN712
DEVLIN712 - 6/4/2014, 7:56 AM
I can't wait for the pilot, hope it's great!
shabat
shabat - 6/4/2014, 7:57 AM
Well I for one cannot wait.
shabat
shabat - 6/4/2014, 7:57 AM
This fall is gonna be fun.
JoJo1982
JoJo1982 - 6/4/2014, 8:11 AM
This show is win written all over it
ThedamnBatman
ThedamnBatman - 6/4/2014, 8:18 AM
The pilot was so awesome, I really hope they can keep the momentum goin ;)
ThedamnBatman
ThedamnBatman - 6/4/2014, 8:19 AM
I...I meant, it will be awesome, yeah will, hopefully, that is just my future self talking there, go away future Axe
ThedamnBatman
ThedamnBatman - 6/4/2014, 8:20 AM
Oh this is by a citizen, u get my thumbs good sir
Klone
Klone - 6/4/2014, 8:23 AM
The Uncle Ben is Grant's Parker.
MercwithMouth
MercwithMouth - 6/4/2014, 8:28 AM
Sounds good. Looking forward to this show.
sameoldthing
sameoldthing - 6/4/2014, 8:35 AM
Flash seems like a hard character to write for relating to his powers & such.
Seems like a guy who can move that fast is nearly invincible.
Comics are fun..hope the show is too.
Brainiac13
Brainiac13 - 6/4/2014, 8:44 AM
Okay...This is 10 ways of AWESOMENESS!!!!!

:)
m0th3r
m0th3r - 6/4/2014, 8:46 AM
Very excited about this series...the trailer was awesome
DrVenkman
DrVenkman - 6/4/2014, 8:49 AM
when i saw that trailer, I was all like...

McGee
McGee - 6/4/2014, 8:51 AM
@Jollem

MrReese
MrReese - 6/4/2014, 8:52 AM
quadrapioneer
quadrapioneer - 6/4/2014, 8:59 AM
JWS was great in the first series... cool to see him again. I hope everyone is rewatching 90's Flash before this starts.
Calvatron
Calvatron - 6/4/2014, 9:21 AM
I have a feeling this show will very quickly become my favorite.
McGee
McGee - 6/4/2014, 9:28 AM
My girlfriend use to call me Superman. Because I was faster than a speeding bullet.
Tevii
Tevii - 6/4/2014, 9:54 AM
As a fan jay Garrick wouldve been AWESOME... But for an actor I can see how the father role might have more to offer.

Either way Im glad he's on board. Cant wait to see it.
sbdc1939
sbdc1939 - 6/4/2014, 10:04 AM
really glad this guy is on board I loved the flash tv show when I was a kid so its great to see him still involved this show.
henchmen
henchmen - 6/4/2014, 10:05 AM
HecticHector
HecticHector - 6/4/2014, 10:45 AM
October can't come fast enough
darkraven
darkraven - 6/4/2014, 2:02 PM
get the show on the air already, the effects look great, the story is sound, and they have put together a great cast c'mon.
6of13
6of13 - 6/4/2014, 2:53 PM
Everything about this show looks brilliant. And the kitchen scene from DOFP was beyond amazing, although I am not sure if a TV show has the budget to replicate something similar, but who knows. Nonetheless, I can't wait for The Flash.
6of13
6of13 - 6/4/2014, 2:58 PM
batmanvsuperman
batmanvsuperman - 6/4/2014, 4:01 PM
Cant wait this fall will he awesome
batmanvsuperman
batmanvsuperman - 6/4/2014, 4:02 PM
Will be awesome ^^
case
case - 6/5/2014, 5:25 AM
It will be awesome. But there's gonna be no surprises in the pilot...
View Recorder