Last month, Ghostbusters star Ernie Hudson revealed that he was up for a role as Barry Allen’s (Grant Gustin) mentor/surrogate father on “The Flash” pilot. However, that part has now gone to someone else.
According to Deadline, Jesse L, Martin has signed on to “The Flash” pilot as Detective West, the man who took Barry in after his father was wrongfully arrested for murdering his wife. Detective West’s daughter, Iris will also be in the pilot, as she has been Barry’s love interest in DC’s comic book universe for decades.
Martin is best known for his long stint on “Law and Order” as Detective Ed Green and his role in the Broadway play Rent and its subsequent film adaptation. Martin also had a stint on “Smash” and he is set to star as Marvin Gaye in the biopic Sexual Healing.
Originally planned as a backdoor pilot through “Arrow,” “The Flash” will now be a stand alone pilot with a bigger budget. “The Flash” pilot was written by longtime Flash scribe, Geoff Johns alongside “Arrow” executive producers Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg. David Nutter will direct the pilot episode.
Casting is currently underway for “The Flash” and production should begin relatively soon.
