James Gunn has disclosed that the significant Superman cameo in Peacemaker Season 2 Episode 6 holds major consequences for the future of the DC Universe (DCU). The episode features Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo) negotiating with Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) at Belle Reve prison, setting the stage for broader developments in the DC franchise.
Rick Flag Sr.’s Negotiation With Lex Luthor Could Shape DCU’s Direction
In the sixth episode of Peacemaker’s second season, Rick Flag Sr. visits Belle Reve prison to meet Lex Luthor, offering a deal that could affect the trajectory of the DCU. Flag proposes that if Luthor helps locate Peacemaker’s dimensional portal, Flag will be transferred from a prison holding metahumans to one without them—specifically Van Kull Prison near Metropolis. This agreement, revealed by Gunn on The Peacemaker Official Podcast, was filmed alongside scenes for the upcoming Superman project, indicating its close ties with future DCU entries.
James Gunn emphasized the significance of this deal, describing it as a pivotal moment not only for Peacemaker but the entire DC Universe. He stated,
“So, we have a really important moment, for not only Peacemaker, but the entire DCU, in that Rick Flag, the head of ARGUS, strikes a deal basically with Lex Luthor. In exchange for Lex Luthor finding where Peacemaker’s portal might be, he is going to move him from a prison with metahumans to a prison with no metahumans.”
— James Gunn, Director
How Man of Tomorrow and Other DCU Projects Connect to This Development
Gunn has confirmed that his next DCU film will be Man of Tomorrow, which is not a traditional Superman sequel but a distinct story featuring David Corenswet’s Superman and Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor. Promotional art for the film shows both characters working together, with Luthor donning his iconic power suit from the comics. The alliance is widely believed to be aimed at confronting a greater threat, with speculation suggesting the villain Brainiac might be involved in this upcoming narrative.
The history of the Suicide Squad films has shown the U.S. government’s willingness to exploit supervillains for its own ends. Rick Flag Sr.’s deal with Lex Luthor likely signals the manipulative genius’s deepening influence over agencies like A.R.G.U.S., possibly granting Luthor enough leverage to secure leniency or orchestrate a future escape. This scenario could culminate in Luthor achieving a position of power reminiscent of his comic book presidency. In seeking revenge on Peacemaker, Flag Sr. may have inadvertently empowered a dangerous force that threatens the entire world.
Upcoming DCU Releases and Their Ties to Peacemaker’s Storyline
With just two more episodes left in Peacemaker’s second season, the DCU lineup continues to expand. Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on HBO Max in Spring 2026, to be followed by Supergirl and Clayface, while rumors indicate Creature Commandos Season 2 could launch in late 2026 or early 2027. Additionally, a Booster Gold series is in development, potentially arriving in 2027. Although Man of Tomorrow may be two years away, these interconnected projects are expected to play crucial roles in the evolving DC Universe storylines.
The climactic developments in Peacemaker involving Rick Flag Sr. and Lex Luthor set the tone for a tense future, where alliances and betrayals right at the heart of the DCU could have widespread repercussions. These plot threads hint at rising conflicts and power struggles that fans will follow closely across multiple DC platforms and films.
