Joel Kinnaman Addresses Potential Peacemaker Season 2 Return After The Suicide Squad

Rick Flag Jr. actor Joel Kinnaman addresses whether his DC character will return for James Gunn's Peacemaker season 2. With the conclusion of the DCEU movie timeline in 2023, DC Studios co-CEOs Gunn and Peter Safran are actively working on the new DC Universe franchise. However, the Peacemaker TV show is carrying over into the DC Universe continuity as another season is on its way. Kinnaman previously appeared in 2016's Suicide Squad and 2021's The Suicide Squad, though his character was killed in the latter movie.

ScreenRant recently interviewed Kinnaman for his new movie, The Silent Hour, while also chatting a little bit about his DC movie role. Earlier this year, it emerged that Rick Flag Jr. would be back for Peacemaker season 2 when director Peter Sollett had tagged him in a wrap post, though it was quickly deleted. Now, Kinnaman was asked if there was any truth to it, and he said:

I don't know what to say. That's ridiculous. I would never. I would never be on a show like that. It's not what I do. It's not what I do.

What Joel Kinnaman's Comment Means For Peacemaker Season 2

Since the Peacemaker season 2 director removed the tag, it's hard to tell if he accidentally spoiled that Kinnaman was back for the Max series or tagged him by mistake. It should be noted that Kinnaman hasn't been spotted on the Peacemaker season 2 set through photos or videos, but that doesn't necessarily rule out an appearance. It's always possible that Kinnaman filmed something in a studio, meaning paparazzi wouldn't be able to photograph him. Superhero movies and shows often film spoiler-y sequences in studios to prevent leaks.

It has been confirmed that the Peacemaker season 2 story will include a confrontation between John Cena's titular lead and Frank Grillo's Rick Flag Sr, who is the father of Kinnaman's character. While details are under wraps, Gunn has teased that there is unfinished business between Christopher Smith and Flag Sr. Since Rick's father is set to clash with Peacemaker in the new season, it's likely Grillo's character is seeking revenge after Cena's anti-hero killed Rick Flag Jr in The Suicide Squad.

Our Take On Joel Kinnaman's Peacemaker Season 2 Comment

It wouldn't be shocking if Kinnaman is actually back in some capacity for Peacemaker season 2, but he simply can't confirm it, especially if the accidental leak was indeed a slip-up. The bigger question, however, is whether Rick Flag Jr will only be used in flashbacks or if Gunn's DC Universe will retcon his fate so that he's alive or resurrect him some other way. Hopefully, more news on Peacemaker season 2 will emerge sooner rather than later and clarify if Kinnaman is or isn't back.