Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. Secures Major Role in James Gunn's 'Man of Tomorrow'

Big news for fans eagerly awaiting the next chapter in James Gunn's DC Universe: Frank Grillo has officially confirmed that his character, Rick Flag Sr., won't just be popping in for a cameo in the upcoming Superman sequel, Man Of Tomorrow. In fact, he's set for a "big part" in the story, hinting at some deep connections straight from Peacemaker Season 2.

TL;DR: Key Takeaways on 'Man of Tomorrow'

• Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. is confirmed to have a significant role in Man of Tomorrow.
• The film, slated for a July 9, 2027 release, will see Superman and Lex Luthor reluctantly team up against a major threat, now confirmed to be Brainiac.
• Expect direct plotlines from Peacemaker Season 2, particularly concerning A.R.G.U.S. and the metahuman prison known as Salvation, to weave into the new film.

A Familiar Face Steps Up in a Major Way for Superman's Next Big Screen Adventure

Picture this: you've just seen the new Superman movie in 2025, and while you're thrilled with David Corenswet's Man of Steel, you might be wondering how all these interconnected DC Universe stories are going to play out. Then comes the news that Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. is going to be more than just a fleeting appearance in the sequel. It's the kind of update that makes you sit up and pay attention, signaling that James Gunn is really serious about building a cohesive, interlocking narrative.

Grillo, who debuted as the animated Rick Flag Sr. in 2024's Creature Commandos before making his live-action jump in Superman and a central turn in Peacemaker Season 2, confirmed his expanded role in Man of Tomorrow. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Grillo didn't mince words about his involvement:

"My character, Rick Flag Sr., is a big part of the sequel's story, so I'm excited about it."

— Frank Grillo (Source: The Hollywood Reporter, November 13, 2025)

This isn't just a minor cameo. This is Flag Sr., now the director of A.R.G.U.S., stepping into a pivotal role, much like Nick Fury's foundational presence in early MCU phases. His history with Superman, dating back to overseeing the Kryptonian hero's transfer into Lex Luthor's prison in that pocket universe (as seen in the 2025 Superman film), means their relationship is anything but friendly. Superman might have regained public trust, but don't expect him and Flag to be sharing a friendly brunch anytime soon.

Unpacking the Peacemaker Connections to the DCU's Intertwined Future

The news about Flag Sr.'s significant role strongly suggests that Man of Tomorrow will pick up threads left dangling in Peacemaker Season 2. If you recall the finale of that series, Flag Sr. used Peacemaker's alien device, the Quantum Unfolding Chamber, to create a metahuman prison. This led to John Cena's Christopher Smith (Peacemaker himself) getting trapped on a dimension known as Salvation.

Here's where it gets interesting: Flag Sr. spearheaded the Salvation project, and he did it with members of Lex Luthor's own team. This deep-seated collaboration, stemming from their shared distrust of metahumans, lays a robust groundwork for Flag Sr.'s involvement in the sequel. The finale also hinted that the device's multiversal fallout was far from over, giving Gunn plenty of narrative real estate to connect Peacemaker directly into Man of Tomorrow.

Example: Imagine a fan rewatching Peacemaker Season 2. They might suddenly connect the dots of Flag Sr.'s grim determination to control metahumans, realizing that his actions with the Quantum Unfolding Chamber were laying the groundwork for a major conflict in the broader DCU, a conflict that Superman will inevitably find himself entangled in. It's these kinds of payoffs that make a shared universe truly compelling.

Superman and Lex Luthor: An Unlikely Alliance Against a Cosmic Threat

At the core of Man of Tomorrow lies an intriguing premise: Superman (David Corenswet) and Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult) will be forced to put aside their immense differences and reluctantly team up against a much bigger, external threat. James Gunn himself confirmed this dynamic, noting it's a "story about Lex Luthor and Superman having to work together to a certain degree against a much, much bigger threat." (Source: ScreenRant, November 8, 2025).

For a while, fans speculated about the identity of this "bigger threat." Initial theories pointed to Brainiac, then there was a strong push towards "The Centre" due to its ties to metahuman mythology and cosmic scale. However, recent reports have confirmed that Brainiac is indeed the villain for Man of Tomorrow (Source: The Wrap, November 13, 2025). This classic Superman antagonist promises a challenge that will likely require both the Man of Steel's strength and Luthor's cunning, creating a truly unique dynamic.

Addressing a Popular Crossover Theory: Will Superman Meet Peacemaker on Salvation?

Given Flag Sr.'s role in trapping Peacemaker on Salvation, a natural fan theory has emerged: could Superman eventually find himself exiled to Salvation, leading to an epic, albeit awkward, team-up with Christopher Smith? It's a fun thought, offering a chance to bring John Cena's character back into the fold, especially since there are no current plans for Peacemaker Season 3.

However, there are a couple of practical considerations that might make this scenario less likely for this particular film. First, Man of Tomorrow is designed to be a co-lead story for Superman and Lex Luthor. Introducing Peacemaker in a significant way might inadvertently overshadow that core dynamic, shifting focus away from the evolving relationship between the hero and his archnemesis. Second, if Superman and Luthor are meant to collaborate against a "much, much bigger threat," Luthor would logically need Superman's power and not want him imprisoned, even if he still despises him.

Who Else is Flying In? Confirmed Cast and Release Details for the Highly Anticipated Sequel

Beyond the exciting news of Frank Grillo's expanded role, several other key players from the first Superman film are confirmed to return. David Corenswet is back as Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan will reprise her "important role" as Lois Lane, a fact confirmed by James Gunn on Threads in September 2025. Isabela Merced, who appeared as Hawkgirl in the 2025 Superman movie and was retconned into the opening of Peacemaker Season 2, also teased her return by sharing Gunn's announcement with a "See you there" caption on Instagram.

Man of Tomorrow is currently slated for release in United States theaters on July 9, 2027. Principal photography for the film is eyeing a 2026 start, giving plenty of time for this complex, interconnected narrative to come to life. Before then, the DCU has a packed schedule, including the Lanterns TV show in early 2026, Milly Alcock's Supergirl on June 26, 2026, and the R-rated Clayface film on September 11, 2026.

Practical Takeaways for Fans of the Evolving DC Universe

• Pay Attention to Peacemaker: If you haven't seen Peacemaker Season 2, it's highly recommended viewing before Man of Tomorrow to grasp Flag Sr.'s motivations and the implications of Salvation.
• Get Ready for Unexpected Team-Ups: The reluctant alliance between Superman and Lex Luthor against Brainiac is a fresh take, promising intriguing character dynamics.
• Expect Deep Connections: James Gunn is weaving a tight narrative tapestry; every new DCU project will likely have subtle (or not-so-subtle) ties to the bigger picture.
• Mark Your Calendars: July 9, 2027, is when the next major chapter for Superman unfolds on the big screen, with Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. playing a crucial part.

Frequently Asked Questions About 'Man of Tomorrow'

When is Man of Tomorrow coming out? Man of Tomorrow is scheduled to be released in United States theaters on July 9, 2027. Who is directing Man of Tomorrow? James Gunn is directing Man of Tomorrow. Will Lex Luthor be a hero in Man of Tomorrow? While not strictly a hero, Lex Luthor will reluctantly work with Superman against a common, larger threat in Man of Tomorrow, taking on a more complex role than simply being the main villain. Which Peacemaker characters are confirmed for Man of Tomorrow? Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr. is confirmed to have a big part, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl is also expected to return. Lex Luthor, who appeared in Peacemaker Season 2, will also be a co-lead. Sources

• The Hollywood Reporter - "Man of Tomorrow: Surprising DC Character Will Be ‘Big Part’ of Superman 2" (November 13, 2025)
• ScreenRant - "Major Dcu Character Confirmed To Return In James Gunn's Superman Follow-Up" (November 13, 2025)
• CinemaBlend - "Although It’s Not Technically Superman 2, Man Of Tomorrow Will Nonetheless Place David Corenswet’s Man Of Steel Back In The Spotlight" (undated, referencing November 13, 2025 news)
• Cosmic Book News - "Frank Grillo Confirmed for Man of Tomorrow, James Gunn’s Superman Sequel" (November 13, 2025)
• The Direct - "'Superman 2' Confirmed to Include 3 Peacemaker Actors" (November 8, 2025)
• The Wrap - "James Gunn’s ‘Man of Tomorrow’ Villain Is Brainiac | Exclusive" (November 13, 2025)