Is ‘Black Lightning’ Joining ‘Arrow,’ ‘The Flash,’ ‘Supergirl’ And ‘Legends Of Tomorrow’ On The CW?

The CW’s DC Comics TV universe may get bigger soon.

According to Deadline, “Black Lightning” — the high-profile drama based on the DC Comics character of the same name, which received a big production commitment at FOX — is likely moving to the CW after FOX decided not to go to pilot.

As for why FOX ultimately opted not to order a pilot for “Black Lightning,” Deadline reported that the network realized that the show was not a good fit into its already jam-packed genre drama lineup that already includes “Gotham” and “Lucifer,” Seth MacFarlane’s upcoming space dramedy, Matt Nix’s “X-Men”-themed drama and “The Passage.”

Discussions between The CW and “Black Lightning” producers Greg Berlanti and husband and wife Salim and Mara Brock Akil are still ongoing, but Deadline revealed that the show would likely get a pilot order. If the network orders a pilot and eventually picks it up to series, then “Black Lightning” joins the list of the network’s DC Comics TV series, which currently consists of “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Supergirl” and “Legends of Tomorrow.”

Before FOX let go of the project, Berlanti said that “Black Lightning” will remain separate from the Arrowverse.

“I don’t think so,” Comic Book Resources quoted Berlanti as saying when asked if “Black Lightning” would be included in future crossover events between “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Supergirl” and “Legends of Tomorrow.” “If we’re lucky enough that that exists, that that show exists, I don’t think those worlds will cross over.”

But now that “Black Lightning” is no longer at FOX and is likely to land at The CW, it won’t be surprising if the potential series will be set within the Arrowverse.

In the comics, Black Lightning is a superhero with the ability to generate and control lightning. Before becoming a vigilante that took down organized crime groups in Metropolis’ Suicide Slum, Jefferson was originally a high school principal and an Olympic-level athlete. Although he retired briefly to become secretary of education under the administration of president Lex Luthor, he eventually became a member of Batman’s team of Outsiders for several years. At some point in the comics, he has also become a member of the Justice League.

In addition, Jefferson is the father of Anissa Pierce, a.k.a. Thunder, who is a member of the Outsiders, and Justice Society of America member Jennifer Pierce, a.k.a. Lightning.