Gunn, Cena Surprised by HBO Max Rebrand

The world of streaming services has taken another surprising turn, and this time, it's the team behind DC Studios' "Peacemaker" who found themselves at the center of the whirlwind. Co-CEO James Gunn and other members of the "Peacemaker" crew were caught on camera during a promotional shoot for Season 2, learning about Warner Bros. Discovery's decision to revert their streaming service's name back to HBO Max. The reactions? Priceless.

The announcement from HBO's parent company earlier today sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving many to ponder the implications of switching from Max back to HBO Max. This rebranding, set to take effect this summer, has left not only fans but also major players at DC Studios scratching their heads.

The soon-to-be-renamed Max's official X account didn't waste time sharing the bewildered reactions of Gunn and "Peacemaker" star John Cena shortly after the announcement. The duo was in the midst of recording a promotional video, urging audiences to tune into "Peacemaker" Season 2, set to debut on August 21.

As Gunn was delivering his lines about where to watch the upcoming season, he stumbled upon the unexpected name change in his script. "God, we’re calling it HBO Max – what?" he exclaimed, visibly taken aback. "We’re calling it HBO Max again?" The confusion was palpable, yet Gunn found a silver lining, saying, "That’s good, actually, but I didn’t know that was happening."

Amidst the confusion, other crew members, including DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran, chimed in, adding to the humorous yet bewildering moment. Meanwhile, John Cena, seemingly in on the secret, took the opportunity to break the news to those behind the camera, showcasing his characteristic charm and wit.

While some might speculate that this could be a clever publicity stunt by the HBO Max team, the genuine reactions from the DC Studios crew have provided fans with a delightful glimpse into the behind-the-scenes chaos. The videos, shared on X by Max's official account, have been met with laughter and appreciation from fans worldwide.

POV: finding out about the rebrand from @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/eyQxhTcJrs

— Max (@StreamOnMax) May 14, 2025

HBO Max originally launched in 2020 as a comprehensive streaming platform. It retained its name until 2023, when the newly merged Warner Bros. Discovery announced a shift to the simpler moniker, Max. Now, after subscribers had adjusted to the one-word name, the company has decided to embrace the HBO Max brand once more.

Although no specific date for the rebrand has been set, the anticipation builds not only for the name change but also for "Peacemaker" Season 2. As fans await further updates, they can explore other exciting DC projects slated for 2025 or dive into the latest trailer insights for "Peacemaker" Season 2.