Grant Gustin raced into Arrow viewers' hearts as Barry Allen over the course of two season two episodes, "The Scientist" and "Three Ghosts." In fact, as of now, it's full speed ahead on a full-fledged Flash series, with casting well underway for The CW's latest superhero pilot.

Still, even if Flash doesn't move forward, that won't be the end of Barry Allen — at least not according to Arrow executive producer Greg Berlanti.

"Fingers crossed we don't screw it up and he gets his own show," he told Digital Spy. "If he didn't, I don't think we would ever want to let Grant go. He's too valuable. That would be our hope, I think – no matter what, to keep Barry part of the universe."

It's reassuring news for fans of Gustin's charming turn as Allen, but of course, keeping that charm alive for a show all its own remains Berlanti's priority. As for the differences between a series like The Flash and the veteran Arrow, Berlanti said it all comes down to the two lead characters.

"We often talk about how Oliver comes off like a pessimist, but deep down he's an optimist and has hope," he said. "Barry lost his mother at a very young age, his father was sent to prison for murdering his mom, he went through a lot of stuff – on the surface he's bubbly and upbeat and seems like an optimist, but deep down maybe there's no hope left."

"So they're a really nice contrast to each other and the show functions in that way, I think," he continued. "Certainly in the pilot script Barry has an effervescence and a lightness, but there's still a dark well beneath that."