Marking Frank Grillo’s 60th birthday, James Gunn, who shares leadership duties at DC Studios, spotlighted a fresh look at Grillo as Rick Flag Sr. This development comes amidst swirling anticipation for how James Gunn’s leadership in shaping the new DC Universe will link major titles such as Superman and Peacemaker, both of which Gunn is personally directing behind the scenes this year.
Uncertainty remains whether the latest behind-the-scenes glimpse featuring Grillo was taken during the filming of Superman or the second season of Peacemaker. Either way, it’s clear that Rick Flag Sr. will be central across multiple projects, following his animated introduction in Creature Commandos. This also hints at a much larger role in the interconnected world building of the DCU.
Connecting Storylines: Rick Flag Sr., Superman, and Peacemaker
Upcoming stories in Superman are set to challenge the iconic hero on new fronts. In a major narrative shift, Superman will be positioned as the new authority at A.R.G.U.S., a move apparently prompted by Amanda Waller’s recent misstep. This change grants Superman access to sensitive information about the true fate of his son, directly pointing to Christopher Smith. Their resulting confrontation is expected to be intense and violent, providing significant narrative weight to the evolving DC Universe.
During a recent discussion with Screen Rant, Frank Grillo shared insight into the depth of planning that director James Gunn brings to the DCU:
“All of it! This is why James Gunn is the perfect man to do this,”
—Frank Grillo, Actor
Grillo elaborated:
“When he asked me to do the role in Creature Commandos, he sent me every script, and not a word was changed.”
—Frank Grillo, Actor
He continued with details about his involvement in other upcoming projects:
“And then when he asked me to do Peacemaker, he sent me every script, and not a word was changed. My role in Superman has a lot to do with Peacemaker, so it is connective tissue,”
—Frank Grillo, Actor
Adding context to the creative process, Grillo noted:
“And, of course, not a word has changed. But because [the arc] is also constantly evolving, you need to be involved in how the characters change a lot more. Gunn’s all about the script – script, script, script.”
—Frank Grillo, Actor
These statements make it clear that Gunn’s detailed approach is a defining feature in how the new DC storyline is mapped out.
A Creative Shift from Marvel to DC
The actor also commented on noticeable differences between his experience at Marvel and his current journey with DC Studios. Grillo, known for playing Crossbones in the Captain America series, highlighted contrasting creative environments:
“Whereas Marvel, they’ll start a movie – part of it. And they have a script, but it’s not really a script. You start in, and then halfway through, you’re like, ‘Uh oh…’ I personally prefer scripts to be [fleshed out],”
—Frank Grillo, Actor
“the way James Gunn is running DC is the antithesis to how Kevin Feige’s been running Marvel, and it – to me – is a better fit.”
—Frank Grillo, Actor
A Dynamic and Complicated New Universe
James Gunn took to social media to express his excitement about Grillo’s portrayal of Rick Flag Sr., highlighting the nuanced nature of the DCU’s characters:
“Not everyone in the DCU is black or white – most are shades of gray. And no one brings color to gray more than Frank Grillo, our own Rick Flag, Sr. Can’t wait for folks to see you bring the DCU together in #Superman and #Peacemaker. Happy Birthday, buddy!”
—James Gunn, DC Studios co-CEO
Gunn’s comments suggest a DC Universe where character motivations are complex, and alliances are often ambiguous. This marks a shift from traditional comic book storytelling, opening fresh possibilities for how characters like Superman, Rick Flag Sr., Lex Luthor, and Amanda Waller interact on screen.
Upcoming Releases and Anticipation
Superman will be the first film from DC Studios to debut under the new creative direction, scheduled to reach theaters worldwide on July 11, 2025, with Warner Bros. Pictures handling the release. The film features David Corenswet in the role of Superman/Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, alongside key cast members such as María Gabriela de Faría, Nathan Fillion, Skyler Gisondo, Milly Alcock, and others including Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Isabela Merced, Sara Sampaio, Wendell Pierce, Alan Tudyk, Pruitt Taylor Vince, and Neva Howell.
James Gunn’s directorial style promises a version of the Superman story defined by grand action, humor, and emotional resonance, with a hero motivated by compassion and a belief in humanity’s potential.
On the television side, Peacemaker will return with an eight-episode second season, premiering August 21, further interweaving stories and expanding the reach of new and established DCU characters. Fans of characters like Christopher Smith and Rick Flag Sr. can expect more intersections and clashes that underscore the stakes of the wider universe.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of James Gunn’s Vision
James Gunn’s leadership in shaping the new DC Universe signals a shift toward meticulous storytelling and interconnected narratives, a notable divergence from the Marvel studio playbook. With experienced talent like Frank Grillo in pivotal roles and the anticipation surrounding projects such as Superman and Peacemaker, the DCU is positioning itself to deliver more emotionally layered and unified stories. As the release dates approach, industry watchers and devoted fans alike are keenly waiting to see how Gunn’s script-focused approach affects the future of iconic heroes and their adversaries in this evolving cinematic world.
