WhenTom CavanaghjoinedThe Flashpilot in 2014, he couldn’t have imagined the journey ahead of him.
Not only a supersuit but an iconic one like the yellow Reverse Flash."
Cavanagh realized he was ready to leave the show during the fifth season.
Tom Cavanagh dons the Reverse Flash suit on CW’s “Flash.".Jack Rowand/The CW
Will we see Timeless Wells again this season?
That remains to be seen.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did your exit come about?
Tom Cavanagh directing the 100th episode of ‘The Flash.'.Jack Rowand/The CW
Was it your decision to leave?
TOM CAVANAGH:No, that was my decision.
It was definitely my decision.
The first season was such a strong season, such strong writing.
I think the accelerant to the first season was fear.
We were like, “Let’s attempt to make something that sticks.”
And the thing that made the most sense was to go Flash vs.
Reverse Flash [like] Superman vs. Lex Luthor, Batman vs. Joker.
Honestly, I was like, “I’m grateful to have been a part of that.”
You’re like, “This is certainly an opportunity.”
So then I was coming to the table with all these different characters.
I think that was, for me, a very fun run.
You also have to keep in mind that the show you’re doing is not calledWells.It’s calledThe Flash.
I thought [that would be] a perfect denouement.
I remember I sped off at the end of that season.
Doing the stunts is fantastic.
I didn’t get thrown 300 yards, Adrian [Hein], my stunt double, did.
But I did a lot of the other stuff and I just enjoy it so much.
Does that mean you would be willing to return when it’s time for the show to end?
I think one of the grand things about the show is the collaboration I’ve had with him.
You’re also slated to direct an episode ofSuperman & Lois.
Have you started shooting that yet?
They asked me to direct their finale.
And let’s talk about that for a second.
It’s a funny thing to say, like “Wait…
I love the fact that’s a Warner Bros. property that’s getting yet another go-around.
I love the fact that they’re getting to the emotional and familial heart of it.
I’m just really looking forward to directing their finale.
That doesn’t start for a couple weeks when we [head into] prep.
I’m just so grateful for the invitation.
Getting a chance to direct a show that visually distinct fromThe Flashmust be exciting.
It’s so funny.
The way they shot is they went with anamorphic lenses.
Twenty minutes of your life you could’t get back.)
Were you worried about pulling it off?”
No, it’s possible to look good and be funny.
I think it looks ridiculously great.
It’s really wonderful.
BeyondSuperman & Lois, what else do you have coming down the pike?
This is kind of cool.
We had been talking about this project for when he hung up the blades.
So, we’ve been working on that in conjunction with the NHL.
It’s a half-hour single camera comedy, and it’s just been a delight to work on.
What’s the pilot you sold to WB about?
I am and have always been a courter by nature.
A lot of that comes from the new age and the younger set approaches one another with devices.
Can it still work?
Would it still work?
Obviously, we think so.
That’s sort of what we’re exploring with this thing.
The Flashairs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, followed bySuperman & Loisat 9 p.m. ET/PT, on the CW.
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
