‘Arrow’ season 2 spoilers: ‘Glee’ villain Grant Gustin set to be Barry Allen

How about this for a casting surprise? We now know who is set to play Barry Allen / The Flash on “Arrow” and a possible spin-off show, and it is someone who we best know for throwing a slushie filled with rocks into Blaine Anderson’s face.

Sources have confirmed that Grant Gustin is going to play the iconic character in the eighth and ninth episodes of this coming season, and will also star in the 20th episode (directed by David Nutter, who did the pilot), which is also going to serve as the backdoor pilot for a potential Flash-centered series.

We’ve followed the show since the beginning, and this is clearly the most divided that the “Arrow” following has been about anyone. We assume that much of this is probably due to comic fans somewhat concerned about knowing Gustin primarily from “Glee,” an oft-campy show featuring musical numbers. It’s a far cry from being a superhero, and even Gustin’s work on “90210” last year did not do much to really give you an impression about what can be done with this part.

But what we will say on this for now is simple. We know that DC Comics had a heavy hand in this process, and they would not turn over a beloved character, especially one that really has been underutilized on television over the years, to someone without confidence that he could do the job. We’ve seen some great acting from Gustin at times, and we’re going to stay optimistic that he is the right man for the job.

What do you ultimately think about Gustin’s casting here: A smart idea, or a terrible mistake? If you want to read more “Arrow” scoop, including some possible stories for some other characters, just be sure to visit the link here.

Photo: The CW