DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn and other members of the Peacemaker crew had a surprising and hilarious reaction to Warner Bros. Discovery's decision to revert the streaming service's name back to HBO Max. The announcement came while they were filming promotional material for Peacemaker Season 2, and the moment was captured on camera, showcasing their genuine confusion and amusement.
The news broke earlier today that HBO's parent company would be undoing its previous rebranding, moving away from the simple "Max" moniker back to the original HBO Max. This unexpected change left not only fans but also major figures at DC Studios puzzled.
The official X account of the soon-to-be-renamed Max shared the recorded reactions of Gunn and Peacemaker star John Cena following the announcement. In the footage, the duo was seen reading from a teleprompter, promoting the upcoming Season 2 of Peacemaker, set to debut on August 21.
As Gunn was informing viewers where to watch the new season, he stumbled upon the name change in real time. His surprise was evident when the script mentioned HBO Max instead of just Max. He was quickly informed that this was not a mistake and that the change would be officially announced at the Upfront. Gunn humorously remarked, “God, we’re calling it HBO Max – what? We’re calling it HBO Max again?” Other crew members, including DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran, chimed in, adding to the confusion and laughter.
Despite the initial shock, Gunn expressed his approval of the rebranding, stating, “That’s good, actually, but I didn’t know that was happening.” Meanwhile, John Cena seemed well-informed and even took the opportunity to break the news to some of the crew members behind the camera.
While this could be seen as an elaborate publicity stunt by the HBO Max team, the genuine reactions from these key DC figures provided a humorous insight into the rebranding process. Whether a stunt or not, it certainly captured the attention of fans and industry insiders alike.
HBO Max initially launched in 2020 as a comprehensive streaming platform. It retained its name until 2023 when Warner Bros. Discovery, after merging, decided to simplify it to just Max. However, after two years of adjustment, the company has now decided to revert to the HBO Max name, which they believe resonates better with their audience.
No specific date has been set for the rebranding, but as we await further updates on both HBO Max and Peacemaker Season 2, fans can explore other exciting DC projects slated for 2025. Additionally, you can delve into our detailed analysis of the latest trailer for Peacemaker Season 2.
