Peacemaker Season 1, a spinoff of Gunn’s 2021 film The Suicide Squad, earned acclaim for John Cena’s portrayal of Christopher Smith, a brash antihero dedicated to peace through extreme measures. Its DCEU roots, particularly a cameo-heavy Justice League scene in the finale featuring Aquaman and The Flash, posed a problem for the DCU’s “soft reboot.” Gunn has confirmed that most of Season 1 remains canon, except for the Justice League appearance, which clashes with the DCU’s new roster. The trailer hints at a multiverse framework to address this, showing Peacemaker entering a parallel dimension via his father’s interdimensional portals. This allows the show to retain its DCEU history while transitioning to the DCU, set one month after the events of Superman.
A Tale of Two Realities
The Season 2 trailer introduces a dual-universe narrative, a departure from sprawling multiverse epics like Spider-Man: No Way Home. Peacemaker steps into an alternate reality where he’s a celebrated hero, contrasting his home dimension where he’s mocked despite thwarting an alien invasion. In this brighter world, he enjoys fame, wealth, and a surprising romance with teammate Emilia Harcourt. The trailer suggests he aims to replace his alternate self, raising ethical and logistical questions. Unlike the DCEU-DCU split fans speculated, Gunn clarifies the two dimensions are the DCU and a parallel world where Peacemaker is revered, not a direct DCEU reference. This focused approach, likened to Philip Roth’s The Counterlife, keeps the story intimate yet ambitious.
New Threats and Familiar Faces
Season 2 escalates the stakes with Rick Flag Sr., played by Frank Grillo, seeking vengeance for his son’s death in The Suicide Squad. Grillo’s character, introduced in Creature Commandos, ties Peacemaker to the broader DCU. The returning cast—Danielle Brooks as Leota Adebayo, Freddie Stroma as Vigilante, Jennifer Holland as Emilia Harcourt, Steve Agee as John Economos, and Robert Patrick as Auggie Smith—brings continuity, with Patrick’s alternate-universe father offering a less toxic dynamic. New additions include Tim Meadows as ARGUS agent Langston Fleury and Michael Rooker as Red St. Wild, alongside DCU cameos from Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, and Sean Gunn’s Maxwell Lord. A trailer scene shows these Justice League members interviewing Peacemaker, highlighting a sardonic, Justice League International-inspired dynamic.
Gunn’s Vision and Execution
James Gunn, who wrote all eight episodes and directed three, infuses Peacemaker with his signature blend of humor, heart, and chaos. Directors Greg Mottola, Peter Sollett, and Althea Jones helm the remaining episodes, ensuring stylistic variety. The trailer promises a new opening dance sequence, following the iconic Season 1 credits set to Wig Wam’s “Do Ya Wanna Taste It.” Gunn’s hands-on approach, backed by producers Peter Safran and John Cena, aims to balance the show’s irreverent tone with deeper themes of redemption. Chris’s struggle to reconcile his violent past with his heroic aspirations remains central, amplified by multiverse stakes and DCU connections.
Setting the DCU’s Tone
Peacemaker Season 2 serves as a pivotal bridge in the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. By addressing continuity through multiverse storytelling, it caters to diehard fans while remaining accessible to newcomers. The trailer’s glimpses of DCU heroes and a podcast hosted by Gunn, Holland, and Agee—launching July 24 to clarify canon—signal a commitment to transparency. With at least 100 universes established in the DCU, Peacemaker lays groundwork for future projects while delivering a standalone tale of identity and atonement. Its blend of comedy, action, and multiverse intrigue positions it as a cornerstone of Gunn’s vision for DC’s future.
