Summer 2025 is set to be an exhilarating period for DC enthusiasts. Just weeks after the much-anticipated release of "Superman," marking the live-action debut of James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU, fans can look forward to another thrilling season of "Peacemaker." John Cena returns as the peace-loving yet gun-toting Christopher Smith, with many familiar faces from Season 1 joining him once again.
The first trailer for Peacemaker Season 2 offers a glimpse into the upcoming plot, illustrating how the new season ties back to both the first season and Gunn's "The Suicide Squad." From intriguing 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 points highlighted in the trailer.
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Freddie Stroma’s Vigilante in Peacemaker Season 2
Labeling John Cena's Christopher Smith as the least compelling character in "Peacemaker" would be an understatement. Smith is a fascinating blend of contradictions—advocating for peace while engaging in violent conflicts, and embodying the quirky, heartfelt style typical of Gunn's characters.
However, "Peacemaker" is more than just its titular character; it thrives as an ensemble piece. The supporting cast is integral to its charm, much like how "The Flash" on The CW depended on Team Flash's dynamics. Among the supporting cast, Freddie Stroma's Vigilante truly shines. He was the breakout star of Season 1, providing a humorous counterbalance to Peacemaker with his clingy yet endearing nature. While the series may not stick closely to the comic book version of Vigilante, his entertaining presence more than compensates for it.
It's disappointing, therefore, to see less of Stroma's character in the Season 2 trailer. While Cena naturally takes center stage, and Jennifer Holland's Emilia Harcourt grapples with evident anger issues, Vigilante seems relegated to the background. We learn he's working at a fast food restaurant, grappling with the harsh reality that saving the world doesn't guarantee fame. Fans would undoubtedly appreciate more screen time for Vigilante, hoping the trailer doesn't reflect his diminished role throughout the season.
Meeting the DCU Justice League ------------------------------The trailer kicks off with a surprising twist: Peacemaker attending an open interview with the Justice League. Sean Gunn's Maxwell Lord, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl are all there, seemingly dismissing Peacemaker before he can even make his case.
This scene provides a clearer picture of the Justice League's dynamics than what's seen in the "Superman" trailer. It's a departure from the Justice League seen in Season 1, aligning more closely with the irreverent tone of "Peacemaker." Gunn's take on the team draws heavily from the beloved Justice League International comics, emphasizing a group of quirky, less mainstream heroes who benefit from the legitimacy that serving in the Justice League offers.
The scene was likely filmed during the production of "Superman," making it easier to bring together Gunn, Fillion, and Merced. While the Justice League might not have a recurring role in "Peacemaker" Season 2 beyond this cameo, it's a delight to see their dynamics and the humor Merced brings to Hawkgirl, promising a more enjoyable portrayal than previous iterations.
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Frank Grillo’s Rick Flagg, Sr. Returns
Frank Grillo's Rick Flagg, Sr. emerges as the connective tissue of the DCU. After a significant role in the "Creature Commandos" animated series and his upcoming live-action debut in "Superman," Flagg is now set to be a central figure in "Peacemaker" Season 2.
Positioned as the main antagonist, though perhaps not a traditional villain given his motivations, Flagg is a father seeking justice for his murdered son. As the head of ARGUS, he has both the authority and moral justification to confront Peacemaker. This sets the stage for a compelling narrative where Peacemaker, despite his heroic aspirations, cannot escape his past actions in "The Suicide Squad." The audience's sympathies may be split as Flagg seeks retribution against Team Peacemaker.
Making Sense of the DCU Timeline
The introduction of Flagg highlights how "Peacemaker" Season 2 directly builds on "The Suicide Squad." Despite the DCU's aim to start fresh, certain elements from the DCEU persist, suggesting that "The Suicide Squad" might be considered the unofficial inaugural film of the DCU.
A clear timeline is emerging: "The Suicide Squad" in 2021, "Peacemaker" Season 1 in 2022, "Creature Commandos" in 2024, "Superman" in July 2025, followed by "Peacemaker" Season 2 in August 2025. The DCU will then expand rapidly with projects like "Lanterns" and "Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow."
Gunn's reluctance to discard his previous work is understandable, and as he mentioned in an interview with IGN, canon is not the be-all and end-all. "Hopefully there's authenticity and truth to those stories because we care about those stories, the characters, the actors, the performers, the animators," Gunn stated. "They all care about these stories, but it's not real."
Gunn acknowledges the challenge posed by the DCEU Justice League's cameo 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.The trailer suggests that Season 2 might address this through a scene where Chris enters his father's dimension and encounters an alternate version of himself, opening up possibilities through the multiverse.
With the exception of the Justice League cameo, there's little stopping Gunn from fully integrating "The Suicide Squad" and "Peacemaker" Season 1 into the new DCU. "The Suicide Squad" is largely a standalone project, allowing for continuity with characters like Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn, John Cena's Peacemaker, and Viola Davis' Amanda Waller. Retaining Robbie's widely acclaimed portrayal of Harley makes sense, unlike the case with the Joker, which might require a different approach.
By the conclusion of "Peacemaker" Season 2, the DCU's canon should be much clearer. Fans eagerly await the series' return, hoping for more of Vigilante's antics.
For more insights into the future of the DCU, explore what's in store for 2025 and get updated on all the DC movies and series currently in development.
