Summer 2025 promises to be an electrifying period for DC fans. Following the theatrical release of Superman, which marks the live-action debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, fans will be treated to another thrilling season of Peacemaker. John Cena returns as the gun-toting, peace-preaching Christopher Smith, with many familiar faces from Season 1 joining him for more action-packed adventures.
The first trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 offers intriguing insights into the upcoming plot and its connections to Season 1 and Gunn's The Suicide Squad. From new details about the DCU timeline and Rick Flagg's role as the "villain" to the noticeable absence of Vigilante, let's delve into the key highlights from the trailer.
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Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2
Describing John Cena's Christopher Smith as the least interesting character in Peacemaker would be an injustice. Smith is a captivating protagonist, embodying a paradox as he advocates for peace while engaging in violent conflicts. His character also embodies the classic James Gunn blend of humor and heart, making him a fan favorite.
Yet, despite the focus on Peacemaker, the series thrives as an ensemble piece. The supporting cast is integral to the show's success, much like how Team Flash dynamics drove The CW's The Flash series. Among these supporting characters, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante stands out, consistently stealing the spotlight.
Vigilante emerged as the breakout star of Season 1, providing a humorous contrast to Cena's Peacemaker. As a clingy best friend with superhero aspirations but a less-than-stellar personal life, Vigilante's portrayal, while deviating from the comics, is immensely entertaining.
It's somewhat disappointing, then, to see less of Stroma's character in the trailer. While Cena naturally takes center stage, and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt gets significant attention dealing with her anger issues, Vigilante is pushed to the background. We learn he's now working at a fast food restaurant, grappling with the realization that saving the world doesn't guarantee fame. Fans would have appreciated more screen time for Vigilante, and we hope the trailer isn't indicative of his overall role in the season.
Meeting the DCU Justice League
The trailer kicks off with a surprising scene where Peacemaker attends an open interview with the Justice League. Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl are present, and it's clear they dismiss Peacemaker before he can make his case.
This scene offers a deeper look into the Justice League's dynamics than the Superman trailer did. This iteration of the Justice League is distinct from the one briefly featured in Season 1. They come across as more sardonic and irreverent, fitting the tone of Peacemaker better than the more serious DCEU Justice League.
Gunn seems to be drawing heavily from DC's Justice League International comics for this version of the team. Here, Maxwell Lord is the leader and financier, and the focus is on a more eclectic mix of characters rather than the traditional heavy hitters. These heroes seek the legitimacy that comes with serving in the Justice League.
It's likely that Gunn filmed this scene during the production of Superman, allowing for the efficient inclusion of Sean Gunn, Fillion, and Merced. While the Justice League may not play a major role in Peacemaker Season 2 beyond this scene, it's exciting to see their dynamic and the humor Isabela Merced brings to Hawkgirl. This new Justice League promises to be a refreshing take on the iconic team.
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The Return of Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr.
Frank Grillo's Rick Flagg, Sr. is becoming a pivotal figure in the DCU. After featuring prominently in the Creature Commandos animated series and set to make his live-action debut in Superman, Flagg is now positioned as a central character in Peacemaker Season 2.
Flagg appears to be the main antagonist, though "villain" might be too strong a term given his motivations. He's a grieving father seeking justice for his son's murder and now heads ARGUS, giving him both legal authority and moral justification in his conflict with Peacemaker.
This sets up an intriguing dynamic for Season 2. While Peacemaker believes he's reformed and striving to be a hero, his past actions in The Suicide Squad cannot be overlooked. He has blood on his hands, and saving the world won't erase those sins. It'll be fascinating to see how viewers respond to Flagg's quest for revenge against Team Peacemaker.
Making Sense of the DCU Timeline
Season 2 directly builds on the events of The Suicide Squad, showing that while the DCU aims to start afresh, elements of the DCEU remain. The Suicide Squad now seems to be the unofficial first DCU movie, given its frequent references in the new continuity.
The DCU timeline is taking shape: The Suicide Squad in 2021, followed by Peacemaker Season 1 in 2022, Creature Commandos in 2024, Superman in July 2025, and Peacemaker Season 2 in August 2025. The universe will then expand further with shows like Lanterns and movies like Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
James Gunn doesn't want to discard the groundwork laid in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1, despite the new direction set by Warner Bros. As Gunn mentioned in a recent interview with IGN, canon matters less than the authenticity and truth in the stories. "Hopefully there's authenticity and truth to those stories because we care about those stories, the characters, the actors, the performers, the animators," Gunn said. "They all care about these stories, but it's not real."
Gunn also acknowledged the continuity issue with the DCEU Justice League's appearance in Peacemaker Season 1. "The truth is almost all of Peacemaker is canon with the exception of Justice League … which we will kind of deal with in the next season of Peacemaker," he teased.
It will be interesting to see how Season 2 addresses the Justice League situation. A scene in the trailer shows Chris entering his father's dimension and encountering another version of himself, hinting at the multiverse's role in resolving this continuity conundrum.
Apart from the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from fully integrating The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker Season 1 into the DCU. The Suicide Squad's standalone nature and the continued roles of characters like John Cena's Peacemaker and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller support this transition. Retaining Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn makes sense, given her widely accepted portrayal, though the Joker's role might be handled differently.
By the end of Peacemaker Season 2, the DCU's canon should be much clearer. Fans are eagerly awaiting its return, hoping for more of Vigilante's presence.
