The second trailer for SUPERMAN (2025) offered viewers many new insights into James Gunn's take on the classic hero. Between Krypto staving off an attack by The Engineer and Kal-El getting his taint handed to him by Ultraman, the footage is exactly what fans want to see. One of the most surprising reveals is of Secretary of Defense Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo). He is seen accompanying Ultraman and the Engineer, suggesting he forms an alliance with the bad guys in this film. Given the complexity of the character, it's possible that what appears to be a peaceful partnership may only be driven by bureaucratic reasons.
Audiences have witnessed the military attempting to negotiate with alien visitors, particularly in Zack Snyder's Superman. However, the army's efforts to cooperate with General Zod (Michael Shannon) ended disastrously. Fans will remember that despite approaching with diplomacy, Zod and his followers declared war on Earth.
Similarly, fans can expect The Engineer, Ultraman, and whichever faction they belong to to betray Rick Flag Sr. at some point. Characters like Ultraman tend to keep allies like Flag around for as long as they serve a purpose. Once that purpose is fulfilled, all bets are off.
This assumption about Grillo's character may be further supported by another piece of casting news. Since Grillo is reprising his role as Rick Flag Sr. in the second season of MAX's Peacemaker, it suggests he survives his entanglements with Superman, Ultraman, and The Engineer. He's potentially on a quest for revenge, considering who else is on the show: Christopher Smith (John Cena).
Moviegoers may recall that Peacemaker killed Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman) in The Suicide Squad. An argument escalated into a brawl between them, ending with Smith stabbing Flag in the heart. Smith has since shown regret for murdering his ally and friend, but that doesn't change the fact that Flag Sr. may be seeking justice for his son.
Reasonably speaking, Flag Sr. will seek vengeance first, possibly not even allowing Smith to defend himself. Then again, Flag (Grillo) might instead seek answers rather revenge. As a soldier like his son, he understands the complexity of war and how lives can be lost.
Furthermore, there's a good possibility that Flag Sr. approaches the team as an ally does. The animated depiction of Rick Flag Sr. from DC's Creature Commandos works closely with Amanda Waller, so perhaps he arranges a meeting under the guise of becoming an ally. Naturally, Smith will see the red flags around meeting the father of his former victim.
It's worth noting that Christopher Smith may accept the request. He's certainly aware of Flag Sr. in the world and anticipates that knock on his door one day. Perhaps he'll open up fully aware that Flag Sr. could be pointing a rifle at him from the other side. That, however, is yet to be seen.
SUPERMAN (2025) opens in theaters on July 11th. Peacemaker Season 2 premieres on MAX on August 21, 2025.