A major DCU Beloved Hero Exit has now been officially confirmed, and fans may not be ready for it. Joel Kinnaman, who portrayed Rick Flag Jr. across multiple DC projects, revealed that his time in the DC Universe has officially come to an end.
While speculation about his return had been circulating for some time, the actor has now confirmed that Rick Flag Jr. will not return after his final appearance. This announcement marks the end of one of the DCU’s most grounded and respected characters.
DCU Beloved Hero Exit Confirmed After Peacemaker Season 2
According to Joel Kinnaman, Rick Flag Jr.’s final appearance will happen in Peacemaker Season 2. This means fans will get one last look at the character before his journey officially ends.
Addressing speculation about a potential return, Kinnaman said:
“Yeah, I would say so,”
This simple but clear response strongly suggests that there are currently no plans for Rick Flag Jr. to return in future DCU projects. Therefore, Peacemaker Season 2 will serve as the character’s final chapter.
Rick Flag Jr.’s Journey Across the DC Universe
Rick Flag Jr. first appeared in Suicide Squad (2016), where he served as the leader of Task Force X. Unlike many other characters, Flag was portrayed as a morally grounded soldier trying to maintain order among dangerous criminals.
Later, the character returned in The Suicide Squad (2021), directed by James Gunn. In this film, Rick Flag Jr. played a more heroic and emotional role. His storyline ultimately ended in tragedy when he was killed during the mission.
However, despite the character’s death, Rick Flag Jr. returned through flashbacks in Peacemaker. These scenes provided additional context and emotional depth to both Rick Flag Jr. and Peacemaker’s character arc.
Reflecting on that version of the character, Kinnaman said:
“An alternate universe, mealy-mouthed Rick, as me and James [Gunn] called him.”
This alternate portrayal gave fans one more chance to connect with the character before his final farewell.
Joel Kinnaman Reflects on Suicide Squad (2016) Experience
Joel Kinnaman also spoke candidly about his experience working on Suicide Squad (2016). Interestingly, the actor admitted that the production environment was far from ideal.
He openly admitted:
“I was very unprofessional,”
Additionally, he described the atmosphere on set as chaotic and unfocused. According to Kinnaman, the cast was:
“partying all the time… It was a mess.”
This honest reflection provides insight into the behind-the-scenes challenges faced during the original Suicide Squad production.
James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad Was Different
However, things changed significantly when James Gunn took over for The Suicide Squad (2021). According to Kinnaman, the production became far more organized and professional.
He described the experience as:
“Much more professional.”
This shift in tone helped elevate Rick Flag Jr.’s character and allowed for a more meaningful storyline. As a result, many fans consider the 2021 film a major improvement over the 2016 version.
No Plans for Rick Flag Jr. in Future DCU Projects
Currently, there are no plans for Rick Flag Jr. to return in future DCU projects. With the DC Universe undergoing major changes, several legacy characters are being phased out. Additionally, the new DCU timeline and storytelling approach appear to be focusing on fresh characters and new arcs. Because of this, Rick Flag Jr.’s story appears to be permanently concluded.
Nevertheless, the character remains an important part of DCU history. His leadership, moral compass, and grounded personality made him stand out among the more chaotic members of Task Force X.
What’s Next for Joel Kinnaman After DCU Exit
Although the DCU Beloved Hero Exit marks the end of Rick Flag Jr., Joel Kinnaman remains busy with new projects. The actor is currently focusing on several upcoming productions.
His upcoming projects include:
- Icefall (Film)
- Imperfect Women (TV Series)
- Jo Nesbø’s Detective Hole (TV Series)
Therefore, fans will still see Kinnaman in major roles moving forward. While his DCU journey may be ending, his career continues to grow.
The DCU Beloved Hero Exit marks the end of Rick Flag Jr.’s journey in the DC Universe. Over multiple appearances, the character became a fan-favorite due to his leadership and grounded personality. Although his departure may disappoint fans, it also signals a new chapter for the DCU. With new projects and characters on the horizon, the franchise continues to evolve.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on DCU’s upcoming projects, and subscribe to DC Updates’ YouTube channel.
Patrick Webb