Peacemaker Season 2: How James Gunn’s DCU erases and replaces key DCEU events

Peacemaker Season 2 picks up after the events of the DCU movie Superman (2025) and follows the character Christopher Smith played by John Cena in the hunt for alternate universe. Eight episodes of this season will run on HBO Max and the cast includes Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Jennifer Holland, Steve Agee, Robert Patrick, and Frank Grillo.

All of the episodes were written and filmed by showrunner James Gunn. After delays due to Hollywood labor troubles and Gunn's new employment at DC Studios, filming took place in Atlanta, Georgia, from June to November 2024. The season has received praise from critics who claim that Cena and the ensemble cast give strong performances and that it is an improvement over the previous one.

In Peacemaker Season 2, the DCEU is replaced by James Gunn's DCU, with a few small reshoots and changes. While significant scenes from Season 1 are still regarded as canon, the Justice Gang replaces the Justice League in the new season. Gunn keeps the characters and settings current to keep the plot coherent, comprehensible, and ready for future DCU adventures.

More about Peacemaker Season 2

Peacemaker Season 2 takes place in James Gunn's new DC Universe (DCU). The show started off as a spin-off of The Suicide Squad (2021) set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Instead of providing a detailed world explanation, Gunn used small reshoots and tweaks to match the new DCU conditions. The basic concept of Season 1 is still the same, but the show now more closely aligns with the larger DC Universe.

James Gunn has extensive experience in television and cinema. He began his career as a writer with Tromeo and Juliet (1996) before moving on to make films such as Slither (2006), Super (2010), and the Guardians of the Galaxy film series (2014, 2017, 2023). He also helmed The Suicide Squad (2021) and the first seasons of Peacemaker (2022). Gunn joined DC Studios as co-CEO in 2022, where he is on a mission to supervise the DCU and contribute to the development of forthcoming films and television projects.

The Justice Gang takes the role of the Justice League in Season 2, which is one significant shift. Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Superman, and Supergirl make up this new squad. Because of this, the plot may take place in the DCU, which does not yet have a Justice League. "Previously in the DCU," the season's opening recap, reveals to viewers which events from Season 1 are now regarded as canon.

Peacemaker Season 2 also includes updates on major places and technological developments. The Quantum Unfolding Chamber, which was previously exclusively available to Auggie Smith, has been expanded and made multifunctional. This is primarily done so that other characters may use it.

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Minor details, such as allusions to Flash or Aquaman, have been changed to suit the new timeline, but the majority of the events from Season 1 and The Suicide Squad remain accurate.

In the DC Universe, numerous characters have taken on new tasks and while John Economos is now a member of the Creature Commandos, Emilia Harcourt is barred from intelligence work. By making these changes, the story is better adapted to the new universe and avoids confusing the viewer.

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