James Gunn Just Drew The Line Between The DCU and Snyderverse With 1 Key Decision

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As a huge DC fan, I’ve been following James Gunn’s plans for the DCU closely, and it sounds like he just dropped a big hint about how he’s handling the legacy of Zack Snyder’s films. It’s not a total reboot, which is awesome! Gunn has said he’s bringing some things from the previous DC movies – like elements from his own *The Suicide Squad* – into this new, connected universe he’s building. So, it’s more of an evolution than a complete restart, and that’s really exciting to hear.

It wasn’t clear until recently how certain characters from the old DC Extended Universe (DCEU) would fit into the new DC Universe (DCU). However, James Gunn appears to have explained his plan in the fifth episode of *Peacemaker* Season 2.

The latest episode of the HBO Max series began with the funeral of Rick Flag Jr., played by Joel Kinnaman. This character appeared in both *Suicide Squad* movies and is now part of the new DCU. A user on X (formerly Twitter) noticed that the middle name used for Rick Flag Jr. in this episode is different from the one used in the previous DCEU films.

The Rick Flag Jr. character in the Snyderverse was originally given the middle name Rogers, according to a collectible card released with the movie. However, a memorial scene in Season 2 of *Peacemaker* revealed that this version of the character was actually named Bill.

Okay, so this really confirms what I suspected: these DCU characters aren’t the *same* ones we saw in Zack Snyder’s movies. It’s looking more and more like James Gunn is building a totally new, connected universe – a separate timeline, if you will. It’s kinda like what Marvel did with the multiverse – these are basically different versions, or ‘variants,’ of characters we *thought* we knew from the old DCEU.

The alteration of Flag’s middle name might be the first sign of how James Gunn plans to distinguish these established DC characters from their previous live-action portrayals in the new universe he’s creating.

As a big movie fan, I always appreciate the little things, and there’s a subtle detail here most people probably won’t even notice. But if you’re really paying attention, it clearly shows this isn’t the same character we’ve seen before in other films – it’s a clever way to signal a difference.

Joel Kinnaman will reprise his role as Rick Flag Jr. later this season on *Peacemaker*. The show follows Peacemaker as he ventures into a seemingly perfect new world. Season 2 of *Peacemaker* is currently streaming on HBO Max, with new episodes released every Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

Why Is the DCU Using DCEU Characters?

Some viewers are finding James Gunn’s plans for the new DC Universe a little confusing. He’s aiming for a fresh start for the DC franchise, but he’s also suggested that certain parts of the previous DC films, often called the ‘Snyderverse,’ might still be used in the future.

Characters such as Peacemaker and Rick Flag Jr. are great illustrations of this. They join the DC Universe carrying the weight of their previous storylines, even though those earlier shows and movies aren’t considered official continuity anymore.

It appears James Gunn is selectively choosing elements from the previous DC universe to incorporate into his new vision, and it doesn’t seem to follow a clear pattern. Because of this, it’s best to think of only certain details and pieces from the earlier films as officially part of the new continuity, rather than entire projects or characters.

Generally, something is considered official DC story material (canon) only if it’s directly confirmed by James Gunn or established within the DC Universe itself. Anything else isn’t considered part of the official storyline.

Rick Flag Jr.’s death in *The Suicide Squad*, caused by Peacemaker, is officially part of the story. However, that doesn’t guarantee everything else – the characters, plot points, and specific lines of dialogue – will be considered canon moving forward.

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2025-09-23 01:05