The CW's new take on "The Flash" will include a significant nod to the original TV incarnation of DC Comics' Scarlet Speedster: John Wesley Shipp, who played the dual role of The Flash/Barry Allen in the 1990-1991 "Flash" TV series, has been cast in the new "Flash" pilot, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Shipp will guest in the pilot as a "mysterious character," with no further details offered. If "The Flash" is picked up as a series, he's expected to have a recurring role.

As noted in December by "Arrow" and "The Flash" executive producer Greg Berlanti, there are several connections between Shipp and new TV Flash Grant Gustin, who debuted as Barry Allen on two episodes of "Arrow" earlier this season: they're both from Norfolk, Virginia, and their birthdays are only two days apart.

"The Flash" casting news has been arriving at an appropriately speedy rate in recent days, with Tom Cavanagh reported Monday night to be playing S.T.A.R. Labs scientist Harrison Wells. The cast also includes Jesse L. Martin as Detective West, Candice Patton as Iris West, Carlos Valdes as Cisco Ramon, Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow and Rick Cosnett as Detective Eddie Thawne.

Berlanti, fellow "Arrow" executive producer Andrew Kreisberg and DC chief creative officer (and former long-time "Flash" comic book writer) Geoff Johns wrote the "Flash" pilot script, one of multiple DC Comics-based television shows currently in development.

Stay tuned to CBR News for more on CW's "The Flash" pilot as it develops.