The question of who plays Rick Flag Jr seems simple until you actually look at the screen. Honestly, if you watched the 2016 Suicide Squad and then skipped ahead to the 2021 sequel, you might think you were looking at two different people. You weren't. It’s the same guy.
Joel Kinnaman is the actor behind the tactical gear and the constant "I'm too old for this" expression.
The Swedish-American actor has had a wild ride with this character. In the first film, he was basically a piece of "stale fried chicken," as some fans jokingly put it—a stiff, no-nonsense military guy who existed mostly to look intense and pine after June Moone. But by the time James Gunn got his hands on the franchise for The Suicide Squad (2021), Kinnaman transformed Flag into the heart and soul of the team.
The Man Behind the Uniform: Joel Kinnaman
Kinnaman isn't just "the guy from the superhero movies." You've probably seen him in Altered Carbon or leading the charge in Apple TV’s For All Mankind. He brings this specific kind of gritty, lived-in energy to his roles.
Born in Stockholm, Kinnaman has this dual-citizenship vibe that lets him play the "All-American Hero" while keeping a bit of that European edge. For the role of Rick Flag Jr, he reportedly went through some pretty intense training. We’re talking military advisors, weapons handling, and enough gym time to make a normal person weep.
Why the 2021 Version Felt So Different
In David Ayer's 2016 film, Rick Flag Jr was a babysitter. He was there to keep the "worst of the worst" in line. Fast forward to 2021, and suddenly he’s wearing a yellow t-shirt with a cartoon character on it and cracking jokes with Harley Quinn.
Gunn basically told Kinnaman to let his natural personality bleed into the character. It worked. People actually cared when he went toe-to-toe with Peacemaker. That fight scene? It’s arguably one of the most emotional moments in the recent DC film history because Flag wasn't just a soldier anymore; he was a guy trying to do the right thing in a world full of liars.
Wait, What About Rick Flag Sr?
This is where it gets a little confusing for casual fans. In the current DC Universe (DCU) being built by James Gunn, we’ve started seeing Rick Flag Sr. He’s played by Frank Grillo.
Don't mix them up. Rick Flag Jr (Kinnaman) is the son. Rick Flag Sr (Grillo) is the father who is currently out for blood. If you’ve been keeping up with the news in 2025 and early 2026, you know that Rick Flag Sr is a massive part of the new Superman movie and Peacemaker Season 2.
- Rick Flag Jr (Joel Kinnaman): The field leader we saw die at the hands of Peacemaker.
- Rick Flag Sr (Frank Grillo): The grieving, vengeful father appearing in Creature Commandos and the new live-action films.
The Rick Flag Jr Cameo Rumors (Peacemaker Season 2)
Is he really dead? That’s the big talk right now.
In Peacemaker Season 2, we actually see Kinnaman again. It’s a bit of a "gotcha" moment. Without spoiling too much for those who haven't caught up on the 2026 releases, Kinnaman appears in flashbacks that flesh out his relationship with Emilia Harcourt.
But there’s also that weird "Earth-X" variant thing. It’s a multiverse-adjacent twist that lets Kinnaman stay in the mix without undoing the weight of his death in the previous movie. It’s a clever way to keep a fan-favorite actor around when his character technically has a hole in his chest.
Why Joel Kinnaman Almost Didn't Come Back
Believe it or not, Kinnaman was hesitant about returning for the 2021 film. The first movie was... polarizing, to put it lightly.
"The thing we made wasn't something we felt great about," Kinnaman once admitted in an interview.
He felt the character was too restricted. It wasn't until he saw the script for the sequel—and realized he’d actually get to have a personality—that he signed back on. He’s gone on record saying that the 2021 version of Flag is much closer to who he is as a person.
Tracking the Performances
If you're trying to follow the timeline of who plays Rick Flag Jr and where they show up, here is the basic breakdown:
- Suicide Squad (2016): Joel Kinnaman (The "Stiff" Era)
- The Suicide Squad (2021): Joel Kinnaman (The "Heroic" Era)
- Peacemaker Season 2 (2025/2026): Joel Kinnaman (Flashbacks and Alternate Reality)
There was also an older version of the character in the Smallville TV show played by Ted Whittall, but that's a completely different continuity. For the movies everyone is talking about today, it’s 100% Kinnaman.
Key Takeaways for Fans
If you're a fan of the character, the best thing you can do is watch The Suicide Squad (2021) and then jump straight into Peacemaker. It completes the arc of Rick Flag Jr's legacy.
Even though he's dead in the main timeline, his influence is the entire driving force behind the current DCU's conflict between Peacemaker and Rick Flag Sr. You can't understand why Frank Grillo’s character is so angry unless you appreciate the performance Kinnaman put in as his son.
Keep an eye on the upcoming DC projects. While Kinnaman's time as the "main" Rick Flag Jr might be over, the multiverse and flashback sequences in the 2026 slate suggest we haven't seen the last of him.
To truly appreciate the character's evolution, compare his final stand against Peacemaker in the 2021 film to his first appearance in 2016. It's a masterclass in how a different director and a more relaxed actor can completely redefine a role.
Next Steps for DC Fans:
Watch Peacemaker Season 2, Episode 3 to see the latest Joel Kinnaman appearance and understand how his death is fueling the new DCU's revenge plot.