The ending of “Crisis on Infinite Earths” sets up the perfect Arrowverse crossover for the 2020-2021 season. The scope of “Crisis on Infinite Earths” has set a high bar for the next event, even though Arrowverse producer Marc Guggenheim has already said that they won’t try to top the scale of “Crisis of Infinite Earths” next season. Whatever comes after the 2019-2020 crossover runs the risk of being a disappointment, but “Crisis of Infinite Earths” has already laid the foundation for a perfect follow-up.
Thanks to the efforts of Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) and the seven Paragons, the multiverse is reborn in the aftermath of the battle with the Anti-Monitor (LaMonica Garrett) in “Crisis on Infinite Earths”. In the fifth and final chapter of the crossover, Barry Allen (Grant Gustin) brings together White Canary (Caity Lotz), Black Lightning (Cress Williams), Supergirl (Melissa Benoist), Batwoman (Ruby Rose), Superman (Tyler Hoechlin), and Martian Manhunter (David Harewood) to form the Justice League at long last. The final scene of the episode features the JLA conference table, chairs marked with their respective emblems, the iconic Justice League headquarters, and a surprising Super Friends reference in the form of Gleek’s cage.
This ending sets up what could be the Arrowverse’s best option for next season’s crossover: “Justice League.” With everything that happened in “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” it would be all too easy for viewers to see whatever comes next as a letdown of sorts, which could be part of why The CW isn’t even going to attempt to match “Crisis of Infinite Earths” next year. Guggenheim points to Marvel’s decision not to make Avengers: Endgame 2 after Avengers: Endgame when explaining why they won’t try to top “Crisis of Infinite Earths.” This means that the Arrowverse will try to deliver a crossover that can follow up “Crisis of Infinite Earths” and not be seen as lacking in excitement. A “Justice League” story could do just that.
According to Guggenheim, their plan is to “return to the roots” when it comes to crossovers. “Return to the roots” brings to mind its first crossover, “Flash vs. Arrow,” which focused on a somewhat simple idea marketed as a fight between Green Arrow and the Flash. “Justice League” would fit within these parameters. It doesn’t have to pull in multiple shows from outside the Arrowverse or bring in a long list of big guest stars. Delivering a story that fully embraces the “Justice League” name could be exactly what the Arrowverse needs next season.
Just the idea of having a live-action Justice League on TV could really add to the hype for the crossover. This is something that hasn’t happened since Smallville unofficially created the Justice League in season 6. The CW, however, may actually be able to use the name, especially since DC Films doesn’t seem to pursuing a Justice League sequel. And to make the crossover even more appealing, The CW can spice it up with a classic Justice League villain who hasn’t been used yet, or by adding another major DC Comics superhero to the Arrowverse. If The CW opts to go in this direction, they won’t have to outdo themselves to make next season’s event a huge hit.
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