James Gunn pens a heartfelt tribute for Peacemaker and John Cena on the show's anniversary

The anniversary of Peacemaker arrived quietly, and James Gunn marked it in his own way. He wrote a few words online. Simple words. He said it was time to celebrate one of his favorite characters, played by one of his favorite people, John Cena. Nothing more complicated than that.

Along with the text came a photograph by Jess Miglio. A candid shot, not a polished portrait. Gunn and Cena talking on set, the kind of image that feels ordinary but still says something. That little post carried more weight than a polished press note ever would. Strange how it works sometimes. A simple photo and a short line, and suddenly it feels bigger than an announcement.

The anniversary brought people back to the beginning. Peacemaker first showed up on HBO Max in January 2022, and at first, it felt like a small side project, almost like a test. But it didn’t stay that way. Week after week, it kept attention, built conversations, and pulled in an audience that wasn’t sure what to expect. A spin-off, yes. But one that stopped feeling like just a spin-off after a while.

The character and the actor

Peacemaker first showed up in The Suicide Squad in 2021. A loud, over-the-top presence, both comic and unsettling at the same time. Audiences noticed. Soon after, HBO Max ordered a spin-off. Eight episodes, all centered on the same character.

John Cena returned. At that point, his career already stretched beyond wrestling into movies and television. The role gave him space to push further. Critics later pointed out that he managed to balance absurd humor with something more vulnerable. That balance became the hook.

The tribute by Gunn didn’t explain all this, but it echoed it. By calling Cena one of his favorite people, he pointed back to the partnership that carried the show from start to finish.

The tone of the message

The way Gunn wrote mattered as much as what he said. No long thread, no carefully shaped announcement. Just a single post. Direct. Short. Almost casual in tone. It sounded like he was talking to colleagues as much as to the audience.

That style fits with how Gunn usually uses social media. Quick updates, spontaneous notes, and a mix of personal and professional. Here, it meant that the anniversary of Peacemaker felt less like marketing and more like recognition.

And calling Cena a favorite person placed the actor not only as a performer but also as a collaborator. That detail shaped the response. Fans read it as honest rather than staged.

A look at the release

Peacemaker premiered on January 13, 2022. The first three episodes dropped together, and then one per week, every Thursday, until the end of February. Eight episodes in total. That weekly rhythm gave the show space to breathe. Viewers kept talking about it week after week, instead of finishing everything in a single sitting.

The story followed the character after the events of The Suicide Squad. Missions, conflicts, uneasy teamwork. Yet what stood out was the mix of exaggeration and humanity. The series leaned into irreverence but did not erase the contradictions of its lead.

Critical response

The series caught the attention of major outlets almost immediately. Variety, Collider, The Hollywood Reporter. Many pointed to John Cena’s performance as a surprise. A step beyond his earlier roles. He managed to make Peacemaker flawed, even absurd, but still worth watching.

The direction of James Gunn also received praise. His style, full of energy and set to music that added character, helped give the series its own look and rhythm.

The impact of Peacemaker on HBO Max

Peacemaker became one of the most talked-about HBO Max originals of 2022. It appeared frequently on lists of the most-watched shows and stayed visible on social media. The reaction was strong enough that the platform quickly confirmed a second season later that same year.

For Gunn, it showed that a side character from a film could carry a project on his own. For HBO Max, it proved that a spin-off could compete directly with larger names in the superhero genre.

Partnership at the center

Gunn’s tribute also pointed back to the partnership itself. Cena was not just the face of the series on screen. He was present in promotion, visible across interviews and events, and part of the conversation around the show.

The photograph attached to Gunn’s post made this visible too. A quiet exchange between actor and director. Not staged, not formal. That kind of behind-the-scenes energy shaped what ended up on screen.

Looking ahead

With the anniversary noted, the series remains part of HBO Max’s line of original successes. A second season has already been confirmed, though the schedule for release is still to come. Interest continues, and the anniversary post helped keep attention on the project.

Closing thought

James Gunn’s words about Peacemaker and John Cena did not need to be long. A short post was enough. It reminded viewers of how the series started, how it grew, and how it still holds space in streaming culture.

A small message, yes, but one that showed the value of collaboration and the mark left by an unusual hero.