No CW Crossover Event For DC Series In 2021 Due To COVID-19 Restrictions

We just saw our first episode with the new Batwoman, and the larger world of DC heroes on the CW played a big role. A key element of the episode was the shard of kryptonite Kara Danvers gave to Kate Kane for safe keeping. So, while these Arrowverse (or CWVerse, I guess) shows can reference each other all day, that’s all they can do this year. After the major event for the CW Crisis On Infinite Earths, the producers smartly decided to tone down the spectacle of the annual crossovers. Yet, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions, and a much shorter lead time for the season, 2021 will not feature a DC crossover event on the CW. Originally, the plan was for Batwoman to crossover with Superman and Lois for some episodes. Yet, that’s not to be.

While it makes perfect sense that there will be no DC crossover event on the CW in 2021, it is nonetheless sad. Just after setting up the TV version of the Justice League, we’re losing two founding members. Supergirl will be ending its run this year, as will Black Lightning. So, unless the stars are willing to come back in future seasons for crossovers, we’ll not see them in action with the rest of the heroes again.

Image via CW

However, Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries hopes that Melissa Benoist’s Kara Danvers can meet Javicia Leslie’s Ryan Wilder in season 3.

As she told EW.com:

“I think that’s something that would be amazing to explore…. I don’t know that we would ever see it in real life. But, for example, the way Diggle is coming onto our show this season, if Melissa did a run of episodes or something in our season 3, I would love that. Obviously, I love Melissa, but I would love to have Kara on our show and teach Ryan a thing or two or see her in the Batcave.”

She also said she is disappointed that we won’t get to see Batwoman on the Kent Farm (this year). As she mentioned above, Arrow alum David Ramsey will be returning to play John Diggle in a series of appearances on the CW shows. He will appear on all of the shows filming in Vancouver: The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, and Superman and Lois. He will also appear on Legends of Tomorrow in a “mysterious” role. It doesn’t seem like he’d be able to make it to Atlanta for Black Lightning, which is again a damn shame. Hopefully, the Black Lightning characters can live on in the Painkiller spinoff. Still, having a character move through the different series (like Clark Gregg’s Phil Coulson in early Marvel movies) will help the universe feel more cohesive.

Batwoman airs on the CW on Sunday nights, and Superman and Lois will premiere on February 23, 2021.

What do you think? Are you disappointed that there won’t be a DC crossover event on the CW in 2021? Is the inclusion of Diggle in the various series (at least) a good consolation prize? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Joshua M. Patton is a father, veteran, and writer living in Pittsburgh, PA. The first books he read on his own were comics, and he's loved the medium ever since. He is the greatest star-pilot in the galaxy, a cunning warrior, and a good friend. His book "What I Learned: Stories, Essays, and More" is available in print from Amazon and from all electronic booksellers.