This year’s Arrowverse crossover is going to be bigger than ever, so here’s all you need to know about Crisis On Infinite Earths.
The Arrowverse crossover has become something of an annual tradition on The CW for the last five years. Originally just a two-show adventure between original Arrowverse shows Arrow and The Flash, it has continued to grow into something much, much bigger.
This year, however, the network is preparing for the biggest event of its kind (and perhaps the most ambitious crossover in TV history) as the long-teased Crisis will finally come to fruition in a five-part crossover between Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman – one that is aptly titled Crisis On Infinite Earths.
An event that has been set in motion since 2014, the Crisis will have a major part to play in the final season of Arrow, as it ultimately builds towards its game-changing conclusion. And speaking of game-changing, it’s clear that Greg Berlanti is going to make sure that his shared universe of superheroes produce their most awe-inspiring adventure yet.
With that in mind, prepare yourselves for a trip through the multiverse, as we break down everything you need to know about Crisis On Infinite Earths.
When does Crisis On Infinite Earths air?
Like all of The CW’s superhero crossovers, Crisis On Infinite Earths will air towards the end of the Arrowverse shows’ winter runs on the network and will most likely serve as the midseason finale for some of those shows.
However, given the magnitude of the event, there will be five parts to it and it will air in two blocks – with the first three installments airing in early December.
- “Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part 1” airs Sunday, Dec. 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Supergirl.
- “Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part 2” airs Monday, Dec. 9 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Batwoman.
- “Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part 3” airs Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET on The Flash.
All of the Arrowverse shows will then take their annual midseason hiatus before the crossover kicks off the midseason (and in Legends of Tomorrow‘s case: season) premieres in early January.
- “Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part 4” will air Tuesday, Jan. 14 at 8:00 p.m. ET on Arrow.
- “Crisis On Infinite Earths, Part 5” will also air Tuesday, Jan. 14 but at 9:00 p.m. ET on DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
Five episodes for a five-show crossover; sounds big enough and epic enough to us! The only question is: How will we manage to wait a month in the midst of the Crisis?
What is Crisis On Infinite Earths about?
Crisis On Infinite Earths is based on the iconic DC Comics storyline of the same name, which had readers on the edges of their seats back in 1985, and saw the complete destruction of the DC Multiverse as the events of the crossover comic officially unified everything into one single DC Universe.
The Arrowverse version is, of course, heavily inspired by that and, although The Monitor showed up last year to warn of the Crisis’ impending arrival, the shared universe has been teasing it for much longer.
The pilot episode of The Flash showcased a newspaper from the year 2024 which revealed that the Scarlet Speedster would vanish in the midst of the Crisis. Since then, a lot of references and some time-travel have alluded to it and, in doing so, ended up pulling it forward to 2019.
While much of the story itself remains a mystery, we do know this: The Crisis is coming, and The Monitor is on a mission to save the multiverse by recruiting some of the best heroes from across all earths to stop it – and the person responsible for it: the Anti-Monitor. His Number 1 choice, however, is the Green Arrow himself, Oliver Queen, who will continue to recruit new heroes throughout the course of Arrow‘s final season in preparation for the earth-shattering event.
As if all that wasn’t big enough, Marv Wolfman, who wrote the comic series, will be co-writing the Arrow installment of the crossover alongside Marc Guggenheim.
After all this time, the Crisis is almost here!
Which guest stars will appear?
Crisis On Infinite Earths isn’t just the most ambitious crossover in television history, it’s a game-changing event that is going to alter the course of the Arrowverse forever – one that may even result in the complete destruction of the multiverse.
However, before it goes out with a bang, we’re going to see just how far that multiverse reaches, as a number of legendary faces from both the Arrowverse and other DC properties will be making guest appearances throughout. But just who can we expect to see?
- Legendary Robin actor Burt Ward (Batman 1966) will appear in an undisclosed role.
- Supergirl‘s Tyler Hoechlin and Bitsie Tulloch will be returning as Earth-38’s Superman and Lois Lane.
- Legends of Tomorrow‘s Brandon Routh will be pulling double duty as he is set to reprise a variation of his most iconic role (Superman Returns) – playing the Kingdom Come version of Superman.
- Supergirl‘s Jon Cryer will return as the villainous Lex Luthor.
- Characters from non-Arrowverse CW show Black Lightning will appear.
- Batman: The Animated Series voice legend Kevin Conroy will portray an older Bruce Wayne from the future.
- Smallville‘s Tom Welling and Erica Durance will reprise their roles as Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
- The ’90s Flash (and Arrowverse regular) John Wesley Shipp will reprise his role as Earth-90’s Flash/Barry Allen.
- Birds of Prey‘s Ashley Scott will reprise her role as Huntress/Helena Kyle.
Who else might appear?
Given how major this event actually is, fans are expecting a lot more surprises throughout the Crisis – most of which will likely be in the form of more guest stars.
One rumor suggests that we might see the legendary Lynda Carter (who currently plays President Olivia Marsdin on Supergirl) reprise her most famous role as Wonder Woman from the classic 1975-79 TV series.
There are also rumors that the Titans from DC Universe’s Titans might appear, though this has yet to be confirmed.
Crisis On Infinite Earths is going to be one heck of an adventure! Do you think it will be an Arrowverse game-changer? Are you excited for what’s to come? Let us know in the comments below!