Summary
Since James Gunn first announced he was relaunching theDCUin a way that tied all the projects together, there was an understanding that even animated shows like the upcomingCreature Commandoswould have characters jumping from that to other projects. At the very least, one character is confirmed to jump fromCreature Commandosto a few other projects, with the same actor portraying the animated and live-action versions.
Frank Grillo looks like the first to jump from one project to the next. He will be one of the first to be entrusted with making theDCUappear to be completely tied together. WithCreature Commandosbeing the official launchof James Gunn’s DC Universe, his character will go from the animated series to appearing inPeacemaker’s Season 2, but that’s not necessarily the only other project he’ll be featured in. After the December debut of the new series, it appears that Grillo is going to be quite busy playing Rick Flagg Sr.
Rick Flagg Sr Spanning Multiple DCU projects
In addition to those two previously confirmed series with Rick Flagg Sr. in them,Entertainment Weeklyreported that Grillo’s character will make the jump to the big screen as well and will appear in the first big summer blockbuster,Superman: Legacy. There had been some talk about thecharacter being part of that project, but Gunn has officially confirmed that he’ll at least make an appearance. Part of the reason Gunn is so intent on making sure that Flagg, - who is the father of Joel Kinnaman’s character in theSuicide Squadmovies - is because he believes that Frank Grillo has managed to mold someone who is a “really cool character.”
Gunn also confirmed that not only is Grillo’s character appearing in Season 2 ofPeacemaker,but Rick Flagg Sr will bevery important to the plot. Though he obviously hasn’t said exactly what that important role will be. Considering what the titular character did to Rick Flagg Jr. in the lastSuicide Squadfilm, it’s possible Grillo’s character will be on the lookout fro some measure of revenge. Judging by Gunn’s comments toEW, it’s certainly not a guarantee that Grillo will be a friend or ally to Peacemaker and whoever he teams up with in Season 2.
“This isn’t just a good guy, not at all,” Gunn said. “We see all different sides of his character. He is morally a complex human being.”
Grillo’s task is no small one, portraying the same character in an animated television series, then a live-action series and a live-action movie. However, the actor isn’t in totally uncharted waters considering how many superhero stories he’s appeared in over the years. Before jumping to theDCU, he was quite an important figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as he was first thought to be one of the leaders of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s tactical assault teams before it was revealed he was actually an agent of Hydra. Grillo made hisfinal appearance in the MCU as CrossbonesinCaptain America: Civil War. Playing a double agent in those movies, Frank Grillo is certainly no stranger to morally ambiguous roles.
