One of the DCU‘s familiar faces is not expected to return, with the actor hinting that his time in the franchise has come to an end. His character, who appeared across multiple DC projects including Peacemaker, is not expected to feature in future installments. His recent comments have garnered significant attention on social media.
Why Joel Kinnaman’s Rick Flag won’t return after Peacemaker Season 2
Joel Kinnaman has confirmed that his portrayal of Rick Flag Jr. has come to an end. Peacemaker Season 2 marks his final appearance in the DC Universe. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, the actor directly responded to the ongoing speculation about the character’s future. When asked if audiences have seen the last of Rick Flag Jr., he said, “Yeah, I would say so,” hinting that there are no plans for a return.
Kinnaman first took on the role in Suicide Squad and later reprised it in The Suicide Squad, where the character’s story reached a definitive conclusion. Although Rick Flag Jr. was killed in the latter film, the character was brought back through flashbacks in Peacemaker. Reflecting on this version, Kinnaman said, “An alternate universe, mealy-mouthed Rick, as me and James [Gunn] called him.”
Beyond confirming his exit, Kinnaman also looked back on his experience across the franchise. He admitted that during the making of the 2016 film, “I was very unprofessional,” describing atmosphere in which the cast was “partying all the time… It was a mess.” In contrast, he highlighted the difference in approach on the 2021 installment. He noted that James Gunn’s leadership brought a more focused and disciplined working environment. The actor described it as “much more professional.”
With no indication of a return to the role, Kinnaman has moved forward with other commitments. His upcoming slate includes the film Icefall along with television projects such as Imperfect Women and Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole.
