Frank Grillo, known for his role as Sgt. Leo Barnes in The Purge franchise, has shared an ambiguous update about his involvement in The Purge 6. Grillo first joined the series in 2014 with The Purge: Anarchy, returning for The Purge: Election Year in 2016. However, his character has been absent from the last two installments, The First Purge and The Forever Purge.

Speaking with Screen Rant during promotion for his upcoming film Werewolves, Grillo addressed speculation about his potential return to the horror-action series. While acknowledging conversations about the project, he expressed uncertainty about his involvement, citing scheduling conflicts as a potential obstacle.

“I heard they are working on it. I don’t know if I’ll be in it,” Grillo said. “I don’t know. I know they’ve had some conversations. We’ll see what happens. I might not be available; I might be doing Werewolves 2 and 3.”

The actor’s comments suggest that while there’s interest in bringing him back, his return hinges on his availability and other commitments. Grillo is currently tied to multiple projects, including the potential expansion of Werewolves into a franchise, which could affect his ability to participate in The Purge 6.

Grillo’s uncertainty raises questions about the direction of The Purge 6. Early concepts for the film reportedly centered on Leo Barnes navigating a Second American Civil War, inspired by Escape from New York. However, Grillo’s hesitation may indicate the script has shifted focus or that production is waiting to align schedules.

The Dec. 6 release of Werewolves in the U.S. will likely influence Grillo’s decisions. If the film spawns sequels, his schedule could become even more packed, potentially conflicting with The Purge 6 production timeline.

Fans of the franchise have long praised Grillo’s portrayal of Barnes, and his return would likely generate significant excitement. Whether his involvement makes sense narratively and logistically will ultimately determine if audiences see him reprise the role.

As the series remains in pre-production, the next steps for The Purge 6 and Grillo’s involvement will depend on ongoing developments in his career and the film’s creative direction.