James Gunn’s evolving DC Universe (DCU) has taken a surprising turn by transforming Rick Flag Sr., a character with roots as a morally complex leader, into a full-fledged villain. This development unfolds across multiple projects, including the series Creature Commandos, the film Superman, and Peacemaker’s second season, all of which are connected within Gunn’s broader DCU narrative.
The Gradual Transformation of Rick Flag Sr. Within James Gunn’s DCU
Rick Flag Sr., portrayed by Frank Grillo, has played a significant role in James Gunn’s DCU, first appearing as the father of Rick Flag Jr., who was killed by John Cena’s Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. Although not all elements from The Suicide Squad are considered canon, several key parts—such as the threat of the starfish villain Starro, the continued involvement of characters Emilia Harcourt and John Economos, and the death of Rick Flag Jr.—remain integral to the DCU storyline.
Flag Sr.’s characterization has evolved distinctly between the projects. In the animated series Creature Commandos, Flag leads a team of metahuman monsters tasked with protecting a foreign leader, whom Amanda Waller later orders to be assassinated. Facing a moral dilemma, Flag grapples with the mission’s ethics, ultimately resulting in the leader’s death at the hands of The Bride of Frankenstein. This portrayal highlights Flag as more morally grounded, despite his shadowy past.
In the live-action Superman film, Flag appears as a bureaucratic figure engaged with Lex Luthor, who proposes defenses against metahuman threats. Although his screen time is limited, Flag’s stance is portrayed as ambiguous—torn between duty and growing unease about the dangers posed by metahumans.
Rick Flag Sr.’s Descent Into Villainy in Peacemaker Season Two
Peacemaker’s second season accelerates Rick Flag Sr.’s descent into darkness. Motivated by vengeance over his son’s death, Flag disregards conventional rules by enlisting Lex Luthor’s aid after breaking him out of a maximum-security prison. He even employs Luthor’s henchmen for his own purposes. By the finale, Flag’s actions mirror those of a traditional villain, escalating tension dramatically.
Flag’s villainy culminates when he recklessly dispatches nameless subordinates to their deaths while searching for a specific alternate dimension. Alongside other officials, he callously mocks the suffering endured by these employees. The dimension turns out to be intended as a metahuman prison capable of sustaining Earth-like life, a disturbing revelation confirming Flag’s intentions to incarcerate metahumans off-world.
The season ends with Flag imprisoning Peacemaker on this alien facility, a grim setup likely to influence future DCU stories. This plot point is expected to be significant in Man of Tomorrow, the Superman sequel, which James Gunn has linked directly to Peacemaker’s recent events. With Nicholas Holt reprising his role as Lex Luthor and his involvement in Flag’s plans, the storyline surrounding this new dimension and Flag’s villainous role seems primed for further exploration.
From Troubled Leader to Villain: The Complexity of Flag’s Character Arc
James Gunn’s approach to Rick Flag Sr. represents a rapid shift—from a flawed but principled leader to a vindictive antagonist. The character’s journey spans Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker, revealing three distinct facets of Flag’s personality: a soldier burdened by past deeds, an anguished father seeking justice, and finally, a ruthless villain who prioritizes his goals above morality. This progression, while swift, provides depth and continuity across the different projects.
Flag’s evolution evokes the role Peacemaker plays in the DCU as a Nick Fury-type figure, central to connecting disparate parts of the universe, but his transformation into a villain was somewhat unexpected given how pivotal he has been so far. This storyline suggests that James Gunn may be setting up a darker thematic arc for the upcoming films and series, with Flag’s actions influencing the broader fate of metahumans within the DCU.
