In the upcoming comic book flick Superman (2025), the titular hero won't be alone on his journey of rediscovery. Joining him are a who's who of DC characters including Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), Green Lantern (Nathan Fillion), and Krypto the Superdog. Keep in mind that those are simply the protagonists.
Additionally, the cast list includes several ancillary characters who'll have more complex parts in the collective DC universe. One of them stands out more than the others, Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo). He hasn't been shown in the previews, though his comic origins tell us that he'll be a part of the military effort to stop Metamorpho.
In addition to his role in Superman 2025, Flag Sr. may have a secondary purpose for being in the film—setting up his next appearance. Grillo will reprise his role as the Flag Sr. in the second season of Peacemaker on MAX later this year. Grillo's casting went under the radar, though it's incredibly significant since he's the most recent actor to appear in both movies and TV shows.
More importantly, Flag Sr. will be out for blood when he makes his onscreen debut. He'll want answers to his son's mysterious death overseas, and interacting with Peacemaker will undoubtedly see that come to fruition.
For those who don't remember, Peacemaker(John Cena) killed the younger Flag in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad. He didn't want to, but his obsession with completing his mission blinded him. One can even argue that Christopher Smith impaled Flag with a ceramic shard instinctively. The pair were in the throes of a heated struggle with Flag moments away from choking Peacemaker to death before it happened. Stabbing him was the only way to survive—at least in that circumstance.
Reasons aside, Flag Sr. will want justice. Who knows how much Amanda Waller told him about junior's death, but she kept Chris' name out of the conversation since he's still on a mission for her.
What Is Rick Flag's Mission?
The question is, when will Flag Sr. seek out restitution? His role in the impending Superman film remains unknown, making it possible that his mission to avenge the younger Flag begins then. On the other hand, he might wait until the Peacemaker series rolls around to complete his mission. And the reason for it lies with his animated counterpart.
The Flag Sr. of DC's Creature Commandos possesses a identical origin to the live-action version, which gives audiences a vague playbook for him in the upcoming Superman movie and Peacemaker show. It's worth mentioning that the animated Flag Jr. also led the Suicide Squad, ventured to Corto Maltese, and died at Chris Smith's hands. With those facts noted, the animated versions of Flag Jr. and Flag Sr. give audiences an idea of what to expect from them going forward. We may even get to see Joel Kinnaman in a flashback sequence.
Even though DC's Creature Commandos creates a good blueprint for Flag's current activities, his monstrous team probably won't emerge in Superman 2025. On Peacemaker, however, it's plausible. The HBO show has already tested the waters with science fiction by setting the plot of Season 1 around an alien invasion. It proved successful in the end, which says something about the show because a different series with an identical premise didn't perform as well.
As such, Chris Smith running into the Creatures Commandos is a very likely possibility at this point. Who knows, maybe Flag Sr. assembles the team to track down his son's killer. It would make for an entertaining third season. Smith has grappled with guilt, redemption, and acceptance, and maybe his story wraps up with paying for his crimes. Every character needs an ending, and dying at Flag's hands is the most fitting conclusion possible for him.
Superman opens in theaters on July 11, 2025. Peacemaker Season 2 returns to MAX in August 2025.