Superhero movies aren’t just for the geek communities now. If the Dark Knight trilogy proved anything, it’s that superheros appeal to nearly everyone. So the news that The Flash will be hitting screens, but it’ll be the smaller, in-your-home variety, is not only a surprise, but it’s quite a refreshing one.

"We plan to introduce a reoccurring character and an origin story of Dr. Barry Allen, who you now know is The Flash," said CW’s President Mark Pedowitz . "We're planning an origin story. We'll see how it goes, and hopefully it will go well. We do want to expand upon the DC universe. We think they have rich characters that we can use, and we felt this was a very organic way to get there." (New York Daily News)

But why is this happening: why no Flash movie? Well, as is so often the case, we’re pretty sure this comes down to money. You see, it’ll take around $200m to make a big-budget super hero blockbuster these days (the third Dark Knight cost $250m to make), but an episode, depending on special effects and the cast, etc, could be something like $5m.

This means they can get two seasons of the TV show for the price of one film, and given that the show will cross over with Arrow – CW’s other superhero TV show – the positive effect could be felt elsewhere as the shows help to promote eachother.

The Flash will appear in episode 8 of Arrow with no ‘powers’ per say. He’ll come back in 9 and 20, and if all goes well, he’ll be in line for his own show. This all isn’t to say there won’t eve be a Flash movie. DC comics have talked about the big screen, but Pedowitz is sure "there are no conflicts in any way, shape or form" with going ahead on TV.

The likes of Bradley Cooper, Ryan Gosling and Chris Pine have all been linked to a Flash movie in the past. 

Stephen AmellStephen Amell - The Arrow - at the 2013 MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto