Which controversial Peacemaker Season 1 moment isn't canonical anymore? Here's the answer

As the release date for Peacemaker Season 2 approaches, James Gunn and his cast and crew are slowly ramping up the promotional campaign for the upcoming entry. One of these ways is by starting a rewatch podcast of both seasons 1 and 2. It must be noted that the second season of the John Cena anti-hero series is scheduled to begin streaming next month.

One of the most talked-about aspects of the upcoming series is the canonical status of the first season and even 2021's The Suicide Squad, which was also directed by James Gunn. Those are the various references to the DCEU Justice League members like Aquaman and the Flash. Moreover, the season 1 finale also saw Cena's Peacemaker encounter the DCEU Justice League.

Now, during the new rewatch podcast. Gunn clarified that some events from The Suicide Squad, like Christopher Smith murdering Rick Flag Jr., and the first season, like Operation Butterfly, are canon. But they might not have played out in the new DCU the same way as we watched them unfold. This gives the makers wiggle room to retcon things like the Justice League.

But in the same podcast, Gunn also revealed that the controversial jokes of Aquaman being intimate with aquatic life are not canon anymore. Furthermore, Gunn also had interesting things to say about the King of Atlantis' status in the DCU.

Peacemaker showrunner James Gunn confirms that the crude Aquaman is not canon anymore:

Throughout the entire runtime of season 1, John Cena's Christopher Smith/Peacemaker is especially mean towards Jason Momoa's Aquaman. He justifies his disdain for the aquatic hero by repeatedly citing the rumor that the King of Atlantis gets intimate with fish. This joke ultimately pays off in the finale, when Chris repeats this rumor to Arthur's face, played by Momoa.

But apart from the joke, James Gunn had major information about the status of Aquaman and Atlantis in the newly built DCU, which kicked off with Creature Commandos.

What did James Gunn say about Aquaman?

James Gunn revealed that Arthur Curry/Aquaman is not a public hero in the DCU. This does not mean that Arthur doesn't exist in the DCU; it just means that for now, the King of the Seven Seas is operating in secret. However, considering the DCU Earth is aware of Themyscira, it is likely that they are aware of Atlantis as well. But, likely, Arthur might not be the king as of now. Gunn said:

“Is Aquaman canon? We don’t know. I don’t think Aquaman is canon...It’s unlikely that Aquaman is a famous hero in the DCU as Superman and Peacemaker Season 2 are happening.”

Aquaman's absence in the DCU would mean that, currently, Christopher Smith/Peacemaker is a bigger hero than Aquaman in this universe.

"In season 2, Peacemaker discovers an alternate world where life is everything he wishes it could be. But this discovery also forces him to face his traumatic past and take the future into his own hands."

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The second season of Peacemaker begins streaming on August 21, 2025. As we wait for it, the entire first season is available to stream on HBO Max.

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