James Gunn has confirmed that there has been a secret DCU recast

James Gunn ended up drawing attention again inside the new DC Universe. While speaking on Peacemaker: The Official Podcast, he mentioned that a character in season 2 had to be recast after the first actor stepped away from the role. ScreenGeek picked up on the update, and it quickly turned into one of those details fans kept talking about as the studio’s new projects moved forward.

The revelation matters because it shows how changes in casting can happen even when a production is already moving forward. Episodes were filmed, scenes were completed, and yet the choice of actor shifted before the material reached the final cut. James Gunn chose to share the detail openly, reinforcing that the process of building the DCU continues to involve adjustments behind the scenes.

The recast affected Red St. Wild, a character introduced in the second season of Peacemaker. The role had been played by another actor who, according to James Gunn, was talented and professional but ultimately did not continue. Most of the scenes were filmed with him before the decision was made to change direction. The director did not expand on the exact reasons, explaining only that it didn’t work out for various reasons.

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James Gunn brought in Michael Rooker to replace the original actor

Once the decision was made, James Gunn turned to a longtime collaborator. Michael Rooker, known for appearances in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, stepped in to portray Red St. Wild. The call happened quickly and the production moved forward with Rooker filming his part in a short amount of time.

During the podcast, Gunn shared that he asked Rooker to join the series and, with humor, joked that the actor would have to pay for the opportunity. The statement was clearly a joke, and the arrangement was completed in the usual way. What mattered was that the scenes were delivered and the season continued on schedule.

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Gunn’s statement

The moment was captured directly on the podcast with Gunn saying:

"Last season, we talked a lot about how we recast Vigilante. Well, we recast the character of Red St. Wild. He was another actor, he was a very talented actor, great guy. It just didn’t work out for various reasons. And so after we had shot most of his scenes, I called up my friend Michael Rooker. I said, I want you to come in and maybe, you know, do this role for us."

The statement connected the new recast to a similar change made with the character Vigilante in season 1, showing that these decisions are not unusual within the series.

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Rooker’s presence

Michael Rooker has been part of James Gunn’s projects for many years. His past work includes Yondu in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Savant in DC’s The Suicide Squad. His addition to Peacemaker fits into this ongoing collaboration. Gunn noted that Rooker managed to complete the new work in a short span of time, which helped keep the production moving.

According to ScreenGeek, the reception to Rooker’s Red St. Wild has been widely acclaimed and positively received. The character became one of the notable aspects of the current season, proving that the last-minute decision led to a successful outcome.

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DCU in expansion

The recast happened at a time when DC Studios was already juggling several projects meant to set up the new shared universe. Peacemaker season 2 is still rolling out week by week, while Creature Commandos Season 2, Superman, Supergirl, and Man of Tomorrow move along in different stages of development. All of them fit into the structure that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been putting together since the studio stepped away from the DCEU.

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What comes next

The disclosure about Red St. Wild shows that not every decision is visible in advance. Some changes occur during production and only come to light later. The current season of Peacemaker is still unfolding, which means the character’s journey continues while the series moves toward its conclusion. In parallel, the larger DCU slate keeps progressing, signaling that more reveals may appear as each project advances.

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Conclusion

James Gunn’s confirmation of a secret recast in Peacemaker emphasizes how dynamic the process of creating the DCU has become. Casting shifts are sometimes necessary, even late in production, and the move to bring in Michael Rooker demonstrates the ability to adapt quickly. The result strengthened the second season and offered one more glimpse into how this new phase of DC Studios is being shaped step by step.